Project 52, Week 23, Point of View and Camera Angle

Point of view: Point of view (or view point) refers to your position relative to the main subject when composing a photograph.  Are you above it, over it, under it, looking up at it, looking down at it, or at the subject's level.

• Eye Level View = Viewing a subject from your eye level
• Bird's Eye View = Looking down on a subject like you are a bird flying over; also called "Airplane View" or "High Viewpoint"
• Worm's Eye View = Looking up at a subject like you are a worm on the ground; also called "Ant's Eye View" or "Low Viewpoint"

Camera Angle:
Camera angle refers to the angle of the camera.  Is it pointing down, pointing up, or level.

• High camera angle = Pointing the camera down
• Low camera angle = Pointing the camera up
• Tilted camera angle = Holding the camera at an angle (also called slanted angle, Dutch tilt, Dutch angle, German angle, oblique angle, canted angle, and Batman angle)

 Things to consider:

• You can mix and match view points and camera angles. 
• Shooting up (from the base of a subject, or under the subject) can make the subject look taller, more imposing, and more powerful, or it may just be an interesting perspective.
• Shooting down (from above, or directly over, the subject) can diminish the subject making it look smaller and less significant. or it may just be an interesting perspective.
• Getting down to a child's level or a pet's level makes a more personal photograph.
• Changing your point of view may get you that "Wow!" shot while everybody else's photo looks like everybody else's.
• When shooting a subject that cannot be moved, you may be able to avoid (or at least diminish) a distracting background by changing your point of view and/or camera angle.
• A collection of photos of the same subject taken from different view points and camera angles may help tell the whole story.
• Think twice before using a titled camera angle or viewpoint - it may not be as cute as you think it is.

Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:

1. Creating Dramatic Viewpoints and Camera Angles by Alan Peterson at Photostockplus.com
2. Point of View by Liz Masoner at About.com Photography; a short article explaining point of view
3. Photography Tips for Composition Point of View/ by Natalie at The Shady Acre Blog; good examples of taking photos of children from their level
4. Selecting a Point of View by Don Peters at B&H Photo; good examples of different points of view
5. High and Low Camera Angles/ at Fodor's Travel Photography; short article with photos
6. The Best Camera Angle for Taking Food Photos and  The Smart Food Photographers Guide to Choosing the Best Camera Angle from Learn Food Photography and Food Styling; short articles with diagrams and photos.
7. Spice Up Your Shots With Unusual Camera Angles by Kristine Hojilla at photopoly.com; good photographic examples
8. Dutch Tilt for Dramatic Effect in Photography/ from You Didn't Did You; 1 photograph
9. The Dutch Tilt  by Michael the Mentor; 1 minute YouTube video
10. Choosing the Best Camera Angles Tip from Silber Studios with Eric Gould; 7 minute YouTube video on camera angles and positions for people pictures