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Camera Angles: A Basic Guide (part 2)

Camera Angles: A Basic Guide (part 2)

"Why so serious?"

Naition
November 26, 2024

Villains are often the characters we remember most

This week, our challenge invites you to explore the dark intrigue of villains by creating images or scenes that capture their essence

Tips & Prompts

Camera Angles: A Basic Guide (part 2)

In a previous edition, we learned how the camera's angle relative to the subject can show power dynamics

This time, instead of tilting the camera up or down, we're going to focus on the height at which you position your camera, without any tilting

Adjusting the camera level influences the audience's connection to the characters and sets the emotional tone of the scene

Eye Level & Shoulder Level

Prompt: Close up, shoulder level shot of a male villain with a rugged face, dark hair, wearing a black leather jacket, intense expression, scars on his cheek, in a dimly lit urban alley with graffiti in the background.

While both Eye Level and Shoulder Level shots offer natural perspectives, the Eye Level creates a sense of equality and direct connection with the audience. This angle makes viewers feel like they're part of the scene

In contrast, the Shoulder Level shot positions the camera slightly lower, this subtle shift can add a hint of importance or authority to the character without being too obvious

When to use it:

During dialogues to make the audience feel on the same level as the characters
When introducing a character in a straightforward manner
In conversations where you want to subtly emphasize one person (shoulder)

Hip Level

Prompt: Hip-level shot. A malevolent ruler seated on an obsidian throne, surrounded by flickering flames and shadowy tendrils. Wearing a dark cape, eerie green light from their staff. Golden hour light filters through cracks in the throne room, casting dramatic shadows across the scene. Shot with a 50mm DSLR lens, cinematic composition.

Positioning the camera at hip height focuses attention on actions around the waist. This level is great for highlighting hand movements, objects being handled, or costume details

Use It When:

Filming actions like drawing a weapon or interacting with items
Emphasizing body language and movement
Showcasing accessories or important details around the waist

Knee Level & Ground Level

Prompt: Knee-level shot of a villainous figure striding down a dimly lit, grand hallway. The character wears polished black leather boots, and the tailored, dark coat drapes around his legs as he walks with purpose toward a heavy, iron-clad door at the end of the corridor. Shot in cinematic realism with high-contrast lighting

Prompt: Ground-level shot of a blood-stained dagger lying on a cold, stone floor, partially hidden in shadow. A faint reflection of red light glints off the blade, adding an ominous feel to the scene. Shot in cinematic realism with high contrast, emphasizing the mystery and danger

A Knee Level shot places the camera at the subject's knee height, emphasizing leg movements and making the subject appear taller or more imposing

It's great for adding drama to actions like walking or running

Placing the camera directly on the ground gives you a unique and dramatic perspective

This angle can make your characters appear more powerful or the scene more intense. It's great for highlighting details on the ground, like footprints or dropped objects

Prompts to use in your AI images or videos:

Copy and paste the following prompts in your favourite tool. Feel free to share the results with me in Linkedin

A sinister yet charming villain, eye-level portrait shot, standing in an opulent but dimly lit room, Leica M10-R, soft focus on facial features, subtle even lighting to reduce harsh shadows, the viewer feels compelled by the villain’s manipulative charm
Low knee-level shot of a villain in armor, ready for battle, intense shadows and directional lighting create a fearsome atmosphere, Canon 1D X, 28mm lens, sharp detail on armor textures, ominous fog in the background
A villain seen from ground level, stepping forward menacingly in a dark alley, under-lit from a single harsh streetlight, Canon EOS, 50mm lens, dramatic high-contrast shadows, making the viewer feel vulnerablelnerable
Extreme close-up of a villain’s face, scars and piercing eyes in sharp focus, soft shoulder-level lighting, Canon 5D, 85mm lens, high-contrast black and white film to capture every detail, cold and unfeeling expression

How to participate

You can participate using Instagram, X or Linkedin:

Follow me: X.com - Linkedin
Create your image or video using any AI tool.
Post it using the hashtags: #AIFilmmakingChallenge and #PirateLife
Tag our account in your post to make sure that we can track the content.

Make sure you follow me in any of them to get more visual ideas!

Changes are coming…

This project is just starting, and it's time to improve the newsletter to give you the most value possible.

I want you to learn how to create images and videos without any experience.

In the last few weeks, we have been learning basic tips about prompts, shot types, camera movements, and camera angles.

With these principles covered, it's time to dive into more advanced techniques and shots to understand what we need to tell the AI based on what we want to achieve and to get the best results. We'll also talk about how to create consistent characters and products, and I'll add a section with relevant news and interesting facts from the Gen AI world.