Shoot up, shoot down

  (click on photos to enlarge)

​I think it's fair to say that many beginning photographers take pictures with their cameras aimed mostly straight ahead. In other words, they rarely point it upward or downward. I could be wrong, but it’s what I observe when teaching those just starting out. If that yields 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 zoom lens set to wide-angle and positioned close to the subject. In addition, there's often lots going on above and below us that may make for great picture possibilities. The following images hopefully show what I mean.​

I could have photographed the above buildings and no-parking sign from a greater distance by using a more telephoto lens. Being farther away would have produced a less exaggerated and more realistic view. But it’s the combination of the extreme angle created by using a wide-angle lens and tilting the camera up that makes this picture interesting. Specifically, I'm intrigued by the severe slant and distortion of the buildings. And I think the color and contrast manipulation done in Photoshop heightened the effect.

This is an even more extreme example of what happens when shooting very close to a subject and upward with a wide-angle lens. You can see how large and distorted the lower left fence links are compared to the tininess of the links farthest from the camera. In addition, the left side of the fence appears massive.

​In the two pictures above, 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, I like the great depth-of-field of the “Do Not Enter” sign and the shallow depth-of-field of the doll.

​Huge thighs and tiny feet resulted from placing the camera close to my body. I enjoy 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!

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

While walking on the sidewalk, you would easily see this sign and all the nearby clutter if the camera had pointed a few feet down. 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 pleasant design element to the composition.​

I had spent a few hours wandering through downtown Hartford, Connecticut, and was heading back on a raised walkway to my car. Luckily, I glanced down and saw these folk queuing up for the bus. It was the diversity of the group, the curved line they formed, and my high-angle positioning that drew me to this scene. 

I was photographing Sasha as we wandered through the streets of Manchester, Connecticut. As in the previous photo, I know to keep an eye on what is above and below me when I'm out shooting. It was a sunny day. Crossing the street, I saw this expanse of sidewalk and came up with the idea for this shot. By the way, my camera is being held tightly against my chest to avoid it being visible in the picture.

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