When I began learning photography I discovered an overwhelming amount of information. I found stacks of books at the library and an infinite number of videos, tutorials and articles online. I had information overload.
What I really needed to know was, where do I begin? Nobody needs to know everything at once. You simply need a good strong starting point.
There are some creative ingredients that do most of the work in your photo - get them right and you'll have a much stronger photo. I was on my own to figure out which ingredients those were.
It was a matter of figuring out which elements are in every photo you take - no matter what that photo is. Then creating a road map to using those elements in the best way possible.
I now offer those answers to my students. I simplify the process of learning, give you a good foundation, and help you with the specific problems you're encountering.
When it comes to creative photos, angles are one of the most powerful ingredients. If all you ever do is change the angle of your photos, you'll have a lot more fun and take more creative pictures.
What's so powerful about angles?
Angles take your subject (the person, place or thing you're photographing) and make it look it's best.
What angle would you use to capture an intense action shot? How about an emotional portrait? Or, a flower? Or, horses?
If you're not sure, let me give you some answers.
Most people just hold up their camera or phone and snap a picture without giving any thought to the angle they're using. Once you learn about angles you won't take another photo without thinking about the angle. Don't worry, it becomes intuitive over time, so you won't be overthinking it.
How angles work
Every photo begins with a subject (the thing you're photographing) and a moment (what is happening to that subject).
Every single photo you take has an angle. The only questions are:
Did you think about the angle?
Did you choose the best one?
Finding the best angle makes your subject and moment spring to life.
Start with a subject and a good moment, then choose an angle that makes it spring to life.
It doesn't matter what camera or lens you're using, even your phone. Angles will always help to make or break your photo.
The Five Angles
You have five main camera angles to choose from. Each one offers a different perspective, giving your photo the mood or feeling that you want it to have.
Bird's eye view - when you get up high and look straight down.
High angle - like a grown-up looking down at their kids.
Eye level - at the same level as the thing you're photographing.
Low angle - like a child looking up at the world of grown-ups.
Bug's eye view - looking straight up from down on the ground.
How to Use the Five Angles
Let's go through each of the five angles with sample photos.
Don't be concerned about camera settings, etc. We're just focusing on how the photographer used camera angles to make the photo look good.
Bird's Eye View
Let's start at the top with the highest angle. To achieve a bird's eye view angle you need to get up above the thing you're photographing and look straight down at it. You don't necessarily need to be up very high, just whatever puts you above your subject.
What would you photograph from a bird's eye view? Any scene that would look interesting from above. Especially scenes that are hiding details that you can only see from above.
A bird's eye view is a fun angle because we don't normally observe things from this perspective.
Capturing a bird's eye view might mean climbing a tower or using a drone. But it may be as simple as standing on your coffee table or looking over your balcony.
High Angle
A high angle is less extreme than a bird's eye view. You still need to be higher than your subject looking down, but not straight down.
This angle is great for photographing kids if you want them to look little in the photo. It's a pleasing and friendly looking angle for adults too.
A high angle is good for food photography because it's the same angle that you would normally see your food from.
Eye Level
For this angle just be at the same level as your subject.
It's an awesome angle for engaging or emotional portraits. It allows you to make the strongest connection with the person in the photo.
It's the angle to go for when you want to be face to face with your subject.
Low Angle
Drop down below eye level for a low angle.
Low angles are good for making the moment look larger than life, more exciting, and pop off the page.
Use a low angle to capture sports, action, excitement, and epic events. It's the classic angle for hero shots.
Bug's Eye View
Imagine being a bug and looking straight up as a shoe comes down to squish you. That's the spirit of this angle. You get down as low as you can to the ground and look straight up at your subject.
Like the bird's eye view, this is an unusual angle, not one that we experience too often.
1 scene, 3 angles
You'll get used to your favourite angles for various situations. But I recommend you try all the angles at first. Then take a look at the photos and see what you like best.
Even when you get used to it, try all five angles now and then, you never know when the "wrong" angle will look wonderful!
Case Studies
Here are some case studies to help you see how to use all five angles.
Horses
Bird's Eye View
High Angle
Face to Face or Eye Level
Low Angle
Bug's Eye View
Flowers
Bird's Eye View
High Angle
Face to Face
Low Angle
Bug's Eye View
You'll find yourself photographing certain subjects and moments over and over. Simply changing your angle will give you lots of variety in your photos. You'll be more excited when you're taking the photos and people will be more interested in seeing them.
The Key to Learning Photography
However you choose to learn about photography, you need to begin with the best camera settings, the creative principals that make the greatest impact, and practice.
Not knowing where to begin is the reason that most people struggle to learn photography.
But lack of practice is the main reason that people simply never improve.
Practice is the most important part.
I can show you how to use your camera, and how to be more creative. But if you don't practice, you'll be good at it.
But don't think of it as practicing photography. Just go do photography. Find the things you love and photograph them. Do it every day and your skill will grow quickly. Camera settings won't be so confusing anymore, the knowledge will be ingrained. The creative principles will become intuitive and your creativity will grow.
Take my 4 week course and you'll get regular hands-on instruction and feedback. You'll grow quickly and be ready to handle things on your own.
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