There are four basic types of distance shots: the long shot, an establishing shot, the medium shot and the close-up. In some instances, the long shot and the establishing shot are the same thing. A long shot is typically a shot taken from a long distance away. It portrays the subject as well as a lot of the subject's environment. This type of shot is favored in documentaries with social themes, because it emphasizes the environment as a part of the subject. The establishing shot is a "general view" shot. Typically it is an environmental shot you can use to set the stage for the rest of the picture. A medium shot gives equal weight to the subject and its environment. If there is a person in a medium shot, you may frame the shot from the waist up to give the subject room for hand gestures. A close-up shows just a small part of the whole scene in great detail, such as the face of a subject or a tightly framed image of a book. In interviews, documentaries, TV shows or movies, a close-up on a person's face helps to convey emotions, while a close-up on an object emphasizes that object's importance to the story you are telling.
The angle of a shot is the direction and height from which a camera is positioned relative to a scene. Eye level is considered a neutral viewpoint and is not supposed to influence feeling on the part of the viewer. Film convention follows the idea that you shoot factual content from eye level to the subject. A bird's eye view is an extreme high-angle shot taken from directly overhead. Shots taken from this angle can distort familiar subjects and seem artistic. High-angle shots convey a sense of importance to the viewer relative to the subject matter, or detachment from that subject matter. A low-angle shot exaggerates the importance (or height) of the subject. A low angle can give the sense of speeded motion or add confusion to a viewer's perception. A canted (tilted) angle can add to a sense of confusion or suggest imbalance. An odd angle can make it seem as if you are seeing through the eyes of a character.