Research- Shot types

Jason Mraz: 'I'm Yours'
This low angle shot looks very effective because the photographer has chosen to use natural lighting and frame the model in the foreground with the light bright white and blue sky in the background. In choosing to have block light in the background the model appears as a silhouette, this makes his shape more eye catching which also makes the love heart symbol that he is making with his hand stand out. I really like this technique as it looks extremely bold and artistic.

Passenger: 'Let Her Go'
This is a close up shot of a pair of hands playing the piano. The piano and hands are tightly framed making this the sole focus of the moving image. This would be extremely effective in our Pop Acoustic music video as one of the commonly used codes is an artist playing a musical instrument. However this shot has diverted attention to the instrument rather than the artist. This shot would help increase appreciation for the artists musical talents.




This is a commonly used shot in music videos. A medium close up, focusing on the microphone from the point of view of someone stood in front of it. As the singer moves towards the microphone he comes into focus. This makes the viewers of the music video feel more involved as they see the artist from the point of view as an audience member would.

Christina Peri: 'A Thousand Years'
This long shot creates an expanse of scenery which will immerse the viewer as it appears so large and impressive.

The long shot of the sea then gradually fades into this close up of a burning candle. The close up enables a viewer to see small details of the object and tightly framing the candle as well as tainting the rest of the image dark blue means that our attention is drawn to the flame in the center of the frame.

I really like this long shot of Christina Peri stood against a window as it is extremely artistic and aesthetically pleasing. By using a long shot the photographer is able to frame the artist in center frame. He has done this by including the dark walls either side of the shot and positioned the camera at an angle were the window of light is centered. This gives the image perfect balance and symmetry as the artist has become a silhouette in the center of the frame because of the light created by the window.

This high angle shot enables the viewers to feel as though they are looking down on the artist, this is useful when filming a model in an inferior position such as kneeling on the ground to express thoughtfulness or perhaps sadness.

Selena Gomez: 'Same Old Love'
This tracking shot from behind enables the viewer to feel as thought they are hurriedly following the artist, implying that they are off high social position e.g busy business woman etc.





In my research I have noticed that this is quite a cliched shot of the artist looking out of the window. The medium close up is shot through a window, however I think that the addition of rain droplets in the shot distorts the image which could symbolize that the singer is clouded by negative  emotions.

This POV shot is very effective because it allows the audience to see through the eyes of the artist. This particular shot expresses the emotion of the artist perfectly as she is singing about love and as seen from the image the camera purposefully focuses on the holding of hands which is a symbol of relationships and unity.

 Beyonce: 'Hold Up'
This is a very unusual worms eye view POV shot to show the audience in a very inferior position compared to Beyonce who appears strong, powerful and aggressive as she non remorsefully smashes a car with a baseball bat.

This is a use of a slanted angle which breaks the conventions of a music video. In Beyonce's 'Hold Up' it is used to show her final outburst of anger as she hits the camera, perhaps making a statement about the media creating false publicity about her. Therefore I may use this technique in my music video to symbolize rebellion.





How this research has influenced my planning and creativity:

• This post has encouraged me to use superimposition in my music video because I believe it was very effective in Christina Perri's music video for 'A Thousand Years'. A few of these shots have also encouraged me to use back-lighting to create silhouettes in my music video.
• Use candles