Hey friends!
In my last blog post we talked about 7 Tips to Improve Your Portrait Photography Lighting, and in that post I mentioned the importance of experimenting with camera angles to enhance the feeling conveyed by your portrait photography. So, this made me think: “I should talk a bit more about the importance of experimenting with angles!” and here we are.
For this blog I'm going to keep it short, and talk about three camera angles that can easily convey an emotion through your portrait photography. It’s very important to understand that by adjusting the angle, you as a photographer can greatly influence the viewer's perception of the subject's mood, personality, and power dynamics. The better you understand how your camera position can enhance the emotions expressed by your subject and influence how the viewer perceives it, the stronger your photography will be. Let’s dive into camera angles!
High Angle:
In basic terms, a High Angle is when the camera is positioned above the subject, looking down at them. This angle can make the subject appear small, vulnerable, or submissive. This camera angle is often used to convey feelings of awe, wonder, or powerlessness. High angle shots are particularly effective when photographing children or animals, as they can help to emphasize the subject's innocence, youthfulness, or vulnerability. It can sometimes be used to talk about a higher power, even a holy power looking down at the subject. I especially love having the subject looking up while the camera looks down at them from a higher position.
The use of a high angle can also help to create a sense of distance between the subject and the viewer, which can be useful for creating a sense of detachment or objectivity. The whole psychology from the high angle is placing our camera as a powerful observer from a higher place, a higher power looking down. If you are trying to evoke vulnerability, go for the high angle shot!
Low Angle:
Just the opposite of the high angle, Low Angle shots are taken when the camera is positioned in a lower position, looking up at the subject. This camera angle has the ability to make the subject appear larger than life, powerful, and dominant. It's the perfect tool to convey feelings of confidence, strength, or superiority. Low angle shots are great for athletes, political leaders, or anyone you admire, as they help to emphasize the subject's power and size. This camera angle also creates a sense of intimacy or closeness between the subject and the viewer, making it ideal for capturing portraits of people who are important or admired by you.
One simple trick I like to do while using low angles is to look for interesting lines happening in the background. I also look for light sources that can help enhance the feeling of the background, it could be a fluorescent light fixture in the ceiling that creates an interesting line or even the sky during dawn. Being aware of the background while framing for a low angle shot can really make your photography stand out and pop!
Eye-level Angle:
An Eye-level Angle is when the camera is positioned at the same height as the subject's eyes. This camera angle has the ability to convey feelings of equality, honesty, or straightforwardness. Eye-level shots are often used to create a sense of intimacy, as the viewer is able to make direct eye contact with the subject. This makes eye-level shots great for capturing portraits of friends, political candidates, or anyone you admire, as they help to emphasize the subject's emotions and personality. Eye-level shots provide a neutral and unobtrusive perspective, allowing the subject's emotions and expressions to be the focus of the image.
Conclusion
Whether you're an amateur or a professional photographer, taking the time to experiment with different camera angles and understand their impact on the emotions conveyed in your portraits is essential for improving your photography skills and creating images that truly stand out. So, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with these camera angles the next time you're behind the camera!
Understand the power of camera angles in portrait photography and watch your photography skills skyrocket! The emotions you can evoke through your portraits will be LIMITLESS. Get ready to create portraits that will leave a lasting impact on your viewers!
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog! I look forward to sharing more on being a portrait photographer.
Stay tuned for the next blog post!
xx, Yeya
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