Tips for effective Camera Shot Framing

Pick your background first

Select a background that has “depth”

Foreground, middle ground, background

Then place you reporter or interview subject into frame

Make sure your subject is large enough in the frame to standout from the
background

Be aware of any distracting objects in BG - exit signs, garbage cans,

people causing distractions

Good choice An interesting

Poor Choice Shooting up against walls or
background that shows depth displays has no visual depth

NOT as Good Move subject closer to

Good choice Place subject in the shot camera to be larger/more
(frame) dominant in shot
 Use Rule of thirds - most of the time

Place the subject on the left or right of framed

Subject MUST be looking in towards the middle of the frame NOT out to
the edge of frame

Good Makes use of Rule of Thirds

NOT as Good Not using Rule of Thirds

Subject and background Subject “blocks” the

visually balance the frame.
background

The background is not being Subject splits the screen in

“blocked” by the subject
half

Good choice
Headroom of subject
Frame the shot with proper headroom

This is what will reveal people who have been trained vs. amateur
photographers

Proper Headroom for this shot size


Far too much headroom

Ceiling is the star of the shot!

Subject looks like a muppet

in the bottom of the frame

Too little headroom for this shot size

Cutting off the subject’s head

Feels uncomfortable
Use Leading Lines
Shoot on an angle to create leading lines within the frame

Shooting on an angle to the background creates

“Leading Lines” which is visually pleasing

Shooting straight on on the background create

horizontals lines which don’t lead the eye and
aren’t as pleasing

Leading Lines add depth to the background

Much more visually interesting

 Good use of Leading Lines in the shot

Visually interesting

Shot “straight on”

Not as visually interesting

Explore different angles - based camera placement in relation to subject
Eye level is neutral - use for interviews or reporters

BUT

Low angle and high angle depending on the background setting

Low angle can usually produce dramatic or visually interesting shots


Shooting at eye level is OK

In this case it is a nicely framed shot with

an interesting background

Low Angle

Lowering the camera in relationship to

the subject provides a more dramatic/
interesting view in this case

Shooting reporters or interviews is not

always appropriate but is almost always
results if some B Roll is shot from a low
or high angle

Mix up your angles when shooting!

Avoid Distracting objects or people in the background of the shot

Ceiling vent directly overhead

Adjust reporter and camera position to

minimize

Exit Sign directly overhead

Adjust reporter and camera position to

minimize