Thursday, February 18, 2010

Using Angle in Photography

The Develop on Friday photo class had a great lesson recently on using angle as your storyteller.  The assignment was to take pictures with five different angles.  I worked on it when shooting some snowplay pictures last weekend.  The picture up top is my favorite.  I shot from below and zoomed in on the action.  It really gives you the perspective of DD as she built her snowman.  Compare that with this picture of DS, which was also shot from below, but from further away.  It gives the perspective of him as an individual in big world:
During a snowball fight, I took two pictures are eye-level or even with my subjects.  In the first one, I'm telling the story as an observer (loved capturing that smile on DS's face) and in the second one, I'm telling the story as a participant:
Finally, here's a photo I took from above, which gives a feeling of vulnerability.  It's DD with her snowman.  I posted another snow picture of DD taken from above earlier this week, and you can see it at the end of the post here.
I really enjoyed this lesson, and I feel like I learned a lot that I can bring to my sports photography, my travel photography and even my basic family photography.  How can you see yourself using angle as a storyteller in your photography?

13 comments:

Amy said...

I'm just starting on this assignment, you have captured great shots this week Rinda. I particularly like the one of you as the participant in the snow ball fight - it is excellent. And, you are right about the first shot - it is a lovely perspective of your DD building her snowman.
I'm feeling inspired by your photography - thank you :-)

debs14 said...

What a difference a change of camera angle makes, you have some superb photos here.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

These are great photos, Rinda. It's fun to see how the angle of the shot changes the feel of the photo. I love the photo of your son getting ready to throw the snowball with you in line (you were brave)!

PS: That snowman face is absolutely adorable!!!

humel said...

Oh, great shots :-) The top one is my favourite, too! I'm trying to experiment a bit more with angles too - I should really take a photography class though to develop my skills properly. Love what you've done, thanks for sharing x

Lizzie said...

Great shots, Rinda. I love the snowman ones and the one with DS smiling before he chucks that snowball!

I like to experiment with angle as well. It's really good when photographing children and babies - I've got some great ones of kids, taken from above (adult level) or low down (kiddie level). There's a lovely one of my son sat on the floor, talking to his baby cousin, taken from their eye-level. It gives it such an intimate feel, as if the viewer is included in the warmth that's obvious between the boy and the baby.

scrappyjacky said...

Love all these photos,Rinda...is great how different angles give such different effects....my favourite is the top one...it gives such a feel of building the snowman.

sharyncarlson said...

Really great photos, Rinda. I especially love the one where you're behind you're daughter; it's really just like you're a participant. This isn't something I would normally think to do, but it turned out so perfect! Thanks for the inspiration!

Melissa said...

Great shots for this assignment. I like the first one too, but the perspective behind your daughter is good for a feeling of being in the action.

Unknown said...

Great shots, its amazing what difference taking a photo at a different angle makes.

nancy y said...

these pictures are so great and you've given me alot to think about and try with taking photos. Someday I'll get a better camera, but until then I'll experiment with angles!

Anonymous said...

I've yet to do this assignment, but I agree with your pick; #1 is great.

The Scrappy Tree said...

Look at all that snow!
I love the way different angles tell different stories in your photographs, wonderful!

Gina said...

Awesome job with the angles!