Get Low: Changing Perspective with Low-Angle Photography

By Sara Kempner

When I was just getting into photography I remember an educator telling me to “get near, get far, get high, get low” in reference to creating interesting compositions. For whatever reason, this line has always stuck in my head and I often recite it in my head when surveying a scene for photography, regardless of the genre. 

Low angle photography is much easier if you have an articulating LCD screen on your camera, but if you don’t you can still go the old fashion route and lay on the ground. If mobility is an issue, you can also use a really low tripod and remote shutter to help you capture images from down low.

Photo by Sara Kempner

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO SHOOTING PHOTOS AT A LOW ANGLE?

A change of perspective

As humans, we are used to seeing the world around us from eye level. Photographing anything from a low angle immediately creates a unique perspective on your subject, which can help you create more visually intriguing images.

Photo by Sara Kempner

Hero Pose

Photographing people from a low angle can create the “superman effect” whereby their presence and stature in the image is amplified. This can work especially well for athletes or figures that you want to represent in a powerful manner.

Photo by Sara Kempner

Clear the Background

Shooting low can sometimes help clear a cluttered background, or at the least can help to amplify your subject and keep the focus on it. For example, if your subject is being lost to a busy scene behind it, you might be able to shoot low and back your subject against the sky to clean up the scene and make them better stand out.

Photo by Sara Kempner

Composition

Photographing from low is great when you’re playing with compositional elements such as reflections, leading lines and shadows. A puddle on a busy city street can provide you with an interesting reflection if photographed from down low, and a road can provide great leading lines into your subject from a low angle as well.

Sara Kempner is a freelance photographer based on Vancouver Island, B.C.

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