A different camera angle tells a different story

For anyone starting out in photography as a complete newcomer, the common thing to do is to stay at "normal height" and photograph the subject as you see it.

One way to make your images stand out from others is to see it from another camera angle or viewpoint. When thinking about the subject in front of you and how you will capture it, move around a bit, up and down. Find an angle that no-one else sees or has thought of and start to create you own style.

Once you try this, all sorts of ideas start to flow and it brings a whole new side to your photography. You find yourself doing it more and more in other situations such as weddings or parties. The angle that you choose, can tell a completely different story to the others.

The shot on the left was promotional for a hotel in Spain. I was virtually aiming straight down at the water with a super wide angle lens (15mm), as to get the logo and the blue sky in the frame. For the shot of the children on the right, I laid the camera on the grass and asked them to run and jump over it whilst firing away.

Along with camera angles, think of what's also in the frame:

• What is the foreground interest?
• What do you want to appear in the background?
  
• What story can I tell with this image?
• What does it say to someone who wasn't there?

So basically if you are able to; lie down, climb up, get inside, go underneath, get on top, run alongside, dive in, look through, get behind and shove your camera anywhere (within reason) to get that shot that is just a little different.

If you are looking to sell images as stock, these are all vital points to consider, if they are just for you and your images will be displayed somewhere, it is great if they still provoke these kinds of questions, just like any art.

Next Digital SLR Photography Tip - Break the Rules

Back to Digital SLR Gude