Shot composition-perspective

[Mathew Collins]

Hi,

 

Could someone give insights into the perspective behind this shot composition? Is it unconventional to compose a shot like this?

First shot is from The Omen(1976) and second shot is Pale Rider(1985).

Edited March 17, 2016 by Mathew Collins

[Brian Drysdale]

It's not that unusual in these genres, it would be more unusual in say a comedy.

[Nathan Walters]

I'd say it's all about story.

The first shot, you're at the kids perspective, on the floor, and seeing things as he would see them (not that it's an actual POV or anything).

The second shot, you're looking up at the characters, making them appear larger than life.

I've heard a lot of people say the camera should always be at eye level and I kind of hate that notion.

[John E Clark]

Hitchcock in "Strangers on a Train"(1952) begins the film with a shot of two sets of men, following just their shoes, as the walk into the train station. I suppose to heighten the sense of the chance meeting their 'paths' take eventually.

 

 

 

[Rakesh Malik]

Also to take advantage of the left = evil and right = good bias common in quite a few cultures. Villain approaching from the left, hero approaching from the right, foreshadowing their future conflict.

[Mathew Collins]

Thank you all.