Digital Photographers' Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2011 Edition

Shooting at Unusual Angles

Be Creative with Camera Alignment: Traditionally most photos are shot at eye level using a horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait) format. This has probably grown with us because of the need to look through the viewfinder of the camera.

Unfortunately, when you shoot this way, you miss out on a lot of photographic opportunities where the mood of the image can be enhanced by the ‘angle’ of the camera. Try experimenting and see how this can change the emotions you depict in  your imagery.

Don’t Be Embarrassed To Try Unusual Angles: Try lower ground level shots and looking upwards shots.  You will capture a whole new world of images.  Don’t worry that others may wonder at your motives.  Some may even praise your results.

I have practiced these angle and low profile shots for many years in my wedding and portraiture photography and although at first there was some negative reaction to this new approach it was ultimately sought after as was the against the light shots.

Rarely do we judge an artist for the way they apply their paint to the paper or canvas. There nothing fundamentally questioned about using a different brush stroke or abstraction; nor is it the case in how photographers apply their tools to the task of photography.  Be creative.

Use your Camera’s Built-In LCD Screen as a tool for composition: These days, most digital cameras have an inbuilt LCD. This enables you to take the camera away from your eye composing ate unusual angles. Try,

• tilting the camera left or right to better position your subject in the frame.
• taking the photo from below, or above your subject.
• getting further away or closer.

The main point is to move the camera away from eye level and experiment! Even if your LCD screen is small and difficult to see, take a picture anyway. Be Careful to shoot in focus with the normal two pressure shutter button. It always helps to see the ‘ big picture’ of what you’re taking.

Don’t overlook your ‘Rules Of Composition’: It’s still important to pay attention to rules like the rule of thirds, even when you’re trying out different angles. Remember the 4 lines cutting your image into thirds horizontally and vertically (two each way).  On some recent cameras these lines are provided on your viewfinder for selection as you need them.  Try this out as you will find it useful.

Keep thinking about where your main subject will be (if you’re up close, it’s usually the eyes. If you’re far away, it can be the entire body), and try to place your subject on one of those imaginary four lines. 

Use Angles To Communicate Emotions:Pictures taken from high above make the subject appear powerless or insignificant.

Pictures taken from below make the subject appear domineering and powerful. Play with these different kinds of angles to communicate a message.

Angle Tip: When you’re photographing kids. Put your camera all the way on the ground, facing up. If you are all the way zoomed out, it will make your kid look like a giant!

Keep Looking For Fresh Angles: There’s always more than one way to photograph a subject. Using different camera angles can make an otherwise boring image really stand out.

The more you practice using different angles, the quicker you’ll know what works and what doesn’t. It’s all about the feeling you are trying to communicate with your photography. Certain angles are better for certain feelings.