Photography Tip—Go Low with Your Camera to Create Highly Unique Images, Part 2

Part 2 of this PhotographyTalk.com article presents the remainder of the tips and techniques for shooting low-angle digital photos.

Find a Level Place.
Many low-angle photos are taken with the camera on the ground or held somewhat precariously just above the ground. Look for as level as a place as possible. Sweep the area to remove pebbles, little sticks or other small debris that could cause your camera to rock or not be level. You can correct the level of your pictures with photo-editing software on your computer, and you may have to do so, occasionally; but it’s better to do it in the camera. Make sure you include a small waterproof ground cover in your camera bag, so you’re not placing your camera directly on the ground.

The Bright Light Above.
If you’re shooting low-angle photos outside, then it’s likely that many of them will have much or all of the sky in the background. On the brightest days, your camera, even with all its automatic exposure functions, will have trouble finding a balance between the overly bright background and objects in the foreground that could be in shadows or project deep shadows toward the camera. Honestly, your camera, or even you manually, won’t be able to expose some low-angle shots correctly. You just have to find and shoot at the best possible exposure, but that could cause the sky to bloom and dominate the picture. Depending on your camera’s capabilities, you may just have to accept an overexposed image.

You may want to show definition in the sky or place a dramatic cloud formation in the background of your low-angle picture. In that case, you’ll have to underexpose. If all the interest is in the foreground, then find an exposure that will show those foreground objects and an acceptable overly bright sky. You can also try to find another angle to shoot the primary object, so there is less sky in the background.

Recommended Cameras:

Nikon D500 | Nikon D3300 | Canon EOS Rebel T5 | Sony A7RII | Canon 7D Mark II

Think Low with Your Mind’s Eye.
As mentioned in tip #1 above, you want to look at the world around you from a low angle in your mind. Close your eyes if you must to visualize what new and exciting views you can capture at a low camera position. The distortion created by a wide-angle lens can make everyday small objects that “live” near the ground much more interesting and dramatic. You can take a totally different kind of portrait if you compose an image with the person seeming to tower over an object that represents something about his or her personality. For example, shoot from a long angle to show Dad as the champion griller of steak: a juicy, steaming steak just off the grill speared on a fork in Dad’s hand, as he is transferring it to a plate. In the background, Dad is wearing his favorite grilling apron and has a satisfied look on his face.

Trial and Error.
Shooting low-angle digital photos is tricky simple because you lose some control of setting the exposure, focus and depth of field. You have to take your best guess from “up here” as to what your camera will see and capture “down there.” Don’t be surprised if you have to shoot many pictures of the same scene to obtain the best possible shot. Of course, digital technology makes it easy to shoot and review what you’ve taken and make those additional attempts. Once you understand and apply the tips and techniques in this article, you won’t have to re-shoot as many low-angle photos, but it will always be challenge, regardless of how good you become.

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