What Angle To Film Your Videos At
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
