Shoot up, shoot down

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​I think it's fair to say that most people take pictures from a standing position, with their camera pointed mostly straight ahead. In other words, they’re rarely pointing their camera significantly upward or downward. I could be wrong, but it’s what I’ve observed over my many decades of viewing photographs. If doing that gives the best results, then that's how the picture should be taken. But the photographer should consider the unique effects possible when shooting up or shooting down, especially with the lens at a wide-angle setting and positioned close to the subject. The following pictures show what I'm proposing.

I could have photographed this building and telephone pole from a greater distance by using a more telephoto lens setting. Being farther away would have produced a less exaggerated and more realistic view. But it’s the combination of the extreme angle created by being close to the subjects and the use of a wide-angle lens setting that makes this picture interesting. Specifically, I'm intrigued by the severe tilt of the pole, as if it’s about to fall over, and the odd positioning of the building’s lights. And I think the effect was heightened by the color and contrast manipulation done in Photoshop.

​This is an even more extreme example of what happens when photographing very close to a subject and using a wide-angle lens setting. You can see how large and distorted the lower left fence links appear to be and how the fence is rendered as being quite massive.

​In the two pictures below, what probably are familiar objects to most people appear distinctly different from how they would appear if shot straight on. It’s that up or down camera angle and the resulting mild distortions that make these images appealing. Further, the great depth-of-field on the “Do Not Enter” sign and the shallow depth-of-field on the doll make them, I believe, even more compelling.

​Huge thighs and tiny feet resulted from placing the camera close to my body. I like photographing myself interacting with various types of painted traffic lines. And it’s comforting knowing my legs and feet are always available to me as props!

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​When viewed at an extreme angle, something as ordinary as a metal fence can become a work of art.

Walking down the sidewalk, you’d easily see this sign and, as in this location, all the clutter around it. But from a low angle, it’s a different story. Now the sign is nicely isolated against the clouds. In addition, the top of the palm tree adds a striking design element to the composition.​

​This is not a flattering camera angle for any kind of portrait. But a standard portrait was not my goal. I was in a shopping mall and happened to glance downward over the railing. It was the juxtaposition of the chair and its surroundings, as well as the gentleman's partially bald head hovering over his phone that I found intriguing. Note: I would not have taken this picture had I been able to read what was on his cellphone screen.

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