In our Facebook Group we got asked by one of our members about the shooting angle of videos.
Swarnika expressed frustration about the angle of her videos - they were unflattering. So we set about pulling together this episode to help provide some insight.
High Angle
A high angle shot is where the camera is above the presenter. Typically this angle is used in films to help portray a message that the subject is powerless to their situation. It can also make your presenter look small.
On the flip side the angle is great at reducing double chins - hence why selfie-shooters on Instagram often put it to use.
Low Angle
A low angle shot is where the camera sits below the presenter or talent. It’s typically used in films to communicate power. Take a look at most superhero movies and you’ll notice that the hero is typically shot from a low angle when the action takes place.
So what does this mean for us?
Well, by shooting from a lower angle we can help ‘play’ on that ‘powerful’ message and help to convey a sense of power and knowledge over our viewers. You’ll find that many YouTubers have a slightly low angle shot to help make them feel more knowledgeable than their viewers.
The down-side to the low angle is that if made too extreme and a close-up - you’re going to create double chins and an unflattering angle. So just be careful - I think we’ve all experienced an ‘up the chins/nose’ facetime/webcam call from someone at some point… try not to do it to your audience ;)
Neutral Angle
The neutral angle is our middle-point. Where the camera and presenter/talent sit on an equal plane. And this often makes viewers feel level with the presenter.
Is there a subtle difference between Barrack Obama’s neutral TV position and Donald Trump’s slight high angle framing?
What Does This Mean for my Business Videos?
For most videos, a neutral position is going to help you capture you in the best light and ‘speak’ with your viewers.
However, if you’re looking to provide a video which is more instructional and you’d like to stand in a more powerful and knowledgeable framing, then perhaps look at using a subtle low angle shot.
Let’s wrap this up
So there you have it - there’s our thoughts on how angles can affect your video - the way that you look and the way that you’re perceived on camera.
As ever, I hope this has been of use and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Until next time,
Beard Out
