In cinematography, a low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up. Sometimes, it is even directly below the subject's feet. Psychologically, the effect of the low-angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful.
Famous examples
M : Inspector Karl Lohmann is shot in low angle in his office, the camera sitting underneath his office desk. Also, two disputing men, one small and the other tall, are shot in low and high angles, respectively.
Citizen Kane : there are many examples such as during the scene where Kane fires Leland. In fact, the scene where Leland confronts Kane after his defeat in the election is entirely shot in a low angle view.
Star Wars : Darth Vader is often shot at a low angle, for example, the first time we see his character as he is walking down a hallway.
Touch of Evil : Hank Quinlan is often shot in low angle to make him look menacing, large, and in-charge.
Saturday Night Fever : In the famous opening sequence, there are several shots from a low angle to emphasize Tony Manero's delusions that he is untouchable.
The Lady From Shanghai : examples of low-angle shot are during the scene where George Grisby is confronted by Broome and he shoots him.
The Dark Knight : Nolan uses extremely low angle shots to give the Joker a more powerful image in The Dark Knight, especially during the scene where the truck he was driving is flipped over and he gets out and starts shooting at Batman. In this scene, the angle actually goes from a normal medium close up and slowly moves into a low angle shot.
Full Metal Jacket : examples of a low angle shot is during the scene where the boot camp Sgt. is yelling at Joker.
The Untouchables : there is a low-angle shot during the scene where Frank Nitti is being searched outside the courtroom and Elliot Ness finds the matches with Malone's address.
Dr. Strangelove : General Jack D. Ripper is shot at a low angle while smoking a cigar, in order to look comically menacing.
