The director manipulates the viewer's perception through his choice of shot. The most important thing is to learn how to frame your subject.

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a. Extreme Long Shots

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These are establishing shots as they set the scene.*

• The camera is placed at its furthest distance from the subject.
• The setting / background is emphasized while only revealing certain details of the subject.
• These shots are often used to introduce the setting and atmosphere at the beginning of a scene. This gives the context in which the matertial is set.

b. Long Shots

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These show all or most of the subject e.g. a person.

• They give an overall picture, placing the characters in their setting

c. Medium Shots

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These film characters from the waist upwards against their background.

• These allow you to observe facial expressions and body language such as tension. They also show emotions
  and reactions between characters.
  
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• They reveal details of the characters' surroundings and environment.
  
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Sources: EBH Joubert; English Visual Literacy

http://thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/gettingstarted/camerashots.html

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