Photography Techniques: Viewpoint

Photography Lesson

Technique: Viewpoint

Introduction:

Viewpoint may be the most important creative technique a photographer can employ. Strangely enough it is often the one technique most overlooked. We naturally tend to see something and then take a photo. We stand there before the subject upright with the camera at eye level. That is rarely the optimal position for capturing most subjects. In this lesson we will discuss our viewpoint or the position of our camera relative to the subject.

Main point:

Change your physical position in relation to your subject.

Here are 5 important considerations when choosing a viewpoint or physical position relative to the subject.

One: Examination

Once you find your subject, walk around it. Which viewpoint works best? What element of the subject will you focus on? Once you select your focus, how does it look by moving a little to the left or right? Do you need to move closer or farther away? Would a lower viewpoint be better? By simply moving and changing your viewpoint, you can alter the perception of the subject or element of your focus. This first step will have a huge impact on your compositions, but there is another environmental consideration before you press the trigger.

Two: Light

While examining your subject take notice of the light and shadows. Is it a sunny day or overcast? Decide if shooting against the light or the conventional “over the shoulder lighting” fits your composition best. When shooting against the light you may need to move so that a portion of the subject blocks the sun or light source.

Over the shoulder lighting.

Shooting against the light.

The light and shadow will affect the tone, contrast, and texture of your composition. These will have a direct effect on your post processing and editing. The light and shadow will also inform you if a silhouette would best serve the subject. If it’s sunny you may need to visit the subject at a certain time of day to get the desired light.

Three: Perspective

When you change your viewpoint you will also change your perspective of the subject. The size and proportions will change. Use this to diminish portions of your subject and make others more proportionally dominant. Perspective can also be considered a technique all its own.

Changing your perspective.

Four: Focal Length

The focal length of your lens will greatly impact the positions you are able to take in relation to your subject. For instance a wide angle lens allows you to get closer to the subject. But as you do there will be more distortion of your subject. This can be used to your advantage. On the other hand, a telephoto lens will offer more focal lengths and allow you to maintain your position. A standard lens, such as a 50mm will force you to move.

Focal Length: 24mm

Focal Length: 50mm

Focal Length: 100mm

Focal Length: 200mm

Five: Framing

Before pressing the shutter button, review the framing or the edges of the image as seen through the viewfinder. Now would be a good time to decide on landscape or portrait orientation. While scanning the edges of the viewfinder do you notice important parts of the subject being cut off? You may need to move back or slightly to the left, right, higher or lower to improve the composition. This is just the start, as Framing is another important photography technique that bears study.

The rear part of the canon seen through the wheel spokes is a distracting element. It draws the viewers eye away from the primary focus.

The photographer moves in a few inches and is able to obscure the distracting element. Cropping the image in post can serve a similar function.

The truck parked in the distance is distracting the viewers eye from the primary subject.

By crouching, the distracting truck parked in the distance is obscured by the primary subject.

Conclusion

Altering your viewpoint will have a dramatic effect on your compositions. Standing with your camera at eye level us unlikely to be the most interesting viewpoint. Neither will the first place from which you see your subject. So get on your knees or lay down if necessary! Find a higher vantage point. Move that camera!

As you practice this technique it will eventually become second-nature to you. You’ll do it without consciously thinking about it!

Exercise

Find an interesting subject that you can move around and that is in full sunlight.

Do an examination, observing the subject from various locations and positions. Note how the light and shadow affects your composition. Try shooting against the light and with it over your shoulder.
As you move around notice how the change in perspective alters the proportions of the subject.
If you have different focal length lenses experiment with each one. Note how each lens affects your subject and alters its appearance.
Finally once you have found the position and composed the photograph review the framing. Look for distracting elements and remove or hide them.