Low Angle Images - Inspiration for this week's competition
Mar 16, 2013 09:24:29 #
I have just noticed that the theme of this week's photo challenge is "Low Angle." As I am not able to use a camera at the moment I cannot go out and take an image to enter, but maybe I can give some of you inspiration for your own entries.
"Low angle" is usually taken to mean "low to the ground” and can include images taken with the camera at ground level giving a viewpoint along the ground, or it can include photos taken with the camera at a low level, pointing upwards.
In the case of photos taken with a viewpoint parallel to the ground, the use of a small aperture (big f-number) to create maximum depth of field is usually most effective, resulting in sharp detail from immediately in front of the camera to the far distance. If the subject or scene will result in a very good photograph, I am inclined to sacrifice some loss of image quality to lens refraction effects and use the smallest aperture possible under the circumstances. My photo below, taken at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, looking across the Place Charles de Gaulle, is a case in point. I set the camera mode to "A" for "Aperture Priority", the ISO to 200, the aperture to f/22 and, using manual focus, I set the focus on the bollards which were about one-third of the distance into the scene before the most distant point at which I wanted sharp detail which was the distant buildings.
Resting the camera on my shoulder bag, I lay full length to be able to see through the viewfinder, to the amusement of the gendarmerie standing nearby. Yes, an articulated LCD screen can be very useful indeed but my Pentax K10D didn't have one and I didn't have my right angle finder. (I think this was the occasion that resulted in my best beloved giving me one for Christmas.) I did thank Pentax for the auto levelling feature though.
I have cropped a very small amount from the foreground before resizing for the web and applying a touch of unsharp mask and saving the image that you see here as a Jpg.
For the monochrome image below I have taken advantage of the steep slope of the hill and positioned myself half way down some steps, so that my viewpoint was almost at ground level. I have set the focus so that the bollards in the foreground are just out of focus, otherwise they would over-power the scene. This image was taken with a Nikon F on Agfa 400 ASA film rated at ASA (ISO) 1600 and processed in Acufine developer. Exposure was 1/1000th at f/22.
Now it's your turn - go out there, get that camera down on the ground, and enter the competition with your low level image. Have fun.
"Low angle" is usually taken to mean "low to the ground” and can include images taken with the camera at ground level giving a viewpoint along the ground, or it can include photos taken with the camera at a low level, pointing upwards.
In the case of photos taken with a viewpoint parallel to the ground, the use of a small aperture (big f-number) to create maximum depth of field is usually most effective, resulting in sharp detail from immediately in front of the camera to the far distance. If the subject or scene will result in a very good photograph, I am inclined to sacrifice some loss of image quality to lens refraction effects and use the smallest aperture possible under the circumstances. My photo below, taken at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, looking across the Place Charles de Gaulle, is a case in point. I set the camera mode to "A" for "Aperture Priority", the ISO to 200, the aperture to f/22 and, using manual focus, I set the focus on the bollards which were about one-third of the distance into the scene before the most distant point at which I wanted sharp detail which was the distant buildings.
Resting the camera on my shoulder bag, I lay full length to be able to see through the viewfinder, to the amusement of the gendarmerie standing nearby. Yes, an articulated LCD screen can be very useful indeed but my Pentax K10D didn't have one and I didn't have my right angle finder. (I think this was the occasion that resulted in my best beloved giving me one for Christmas.) I did thank Pentax for the auto levelling feature though.
I have cropped a very small amount from the foreground before resizing for the web and applying a touch of unsharp mask and saving the image that you see here as a Jpg.
For the monochrome image below I have taken advantage of the steep slope of the hill and positioned myself half way down some steps, so that my viewpoint was almost at ground level. I have set the focus so that the bollards in the foreground are just out of focus, otherwise they would over-power the scene. This image was taken with a Nikon F on Agfa 400 ASA film rated at ASA (ISO) 1600 and processed in Acufine developer. Exposure was 1/1000th at f/22.
Now it's your turn - go out there, get that camera down on the ground, and enter the competition with your low level image. Have fun.
Place Charles de Gaulle, Pentax K10D, ISO 200, f/22, 1/125th
Nikon F, ASA 1600, f22, 1/1000
Mar 16, 2013 09:51:19 #
Mar 16, 2013 09:54:53 #
Lovely photos Graham. Why can't you use your camera at the moment? Don't tell me your wife broke your shutter finger for some illicit purchase like poor 'ole Sarge69. ;)
Mar 16, 2013 09:59:52 #
Falcon
Loc: Abilene, Texas
Graham--
Thanks for the tips and the information about how you got the photos. Both of them are very well done! I now have a starting point from which to approach my own "low-angle" photography. Some would say that copying someone else's technique is improper, but it seems to me that trying to shoot the same photo as an expert--and trying to achieve the same results--gives you a tangible goal for learning the craft.
--Falcon
Thanks for the tips and the information about how you got the photos. Both of them are very well done! I now have a starting point from which to approach my own "low-angle" photography. Some would say that copying someone else's technique is improper, but it seems to me that trying to shoot the same photo as an expert--and trying to achieve the same results--gives you a tangible goal for learning the craft.
--Falcon
Mar 16, 2013 10:17:23 #
Db7423 wrote:
Lovely photos Graham. Why can't you use your camera at the moment? Don't tell me your wife broke your shutter finger for some illicit purchase like poor 'ole Sarge69. ;)
David, no, I wish it were something that mundane. I have an eye condition that renders me able to read large text but I cannot see a viewfinder image. I am waiting for a first consultation at Moorfields eye hospital next week, and then I will know what the prognosis is.
Mar 16, 2013 10:20:55 #
Falcon wrote:
Graham--
Thanks for the tips and the information about how you got the photos. Both of them are very well done! I now have a starting point from which to approach my own "low-angle" photography. Some would say that copying someone else's technique is improper, but it seems to me that trying to shoot the same photo as an expert--and trying to achieve the same results--gives you a tangible goal for learning the craft.
--Falcon
Thanks for the tips and the information about how you got the photos. Both of them are very well done! I now have a starting point from which to approach my own "low-angle" photography. Some would say that copying someone else's technique is improper, but it seems to me that trying to shoot the same photo as an expert--and trying to achieve the same results--gives you a tangible goal for learning the craft.
--Falcon
Falcon, that's how great painters learn the craft - by copying the masters. I'm no expert, but imitation is the greatest form of flattery!
Mar 16, 2013 10:48:45 #
GrahamS wrote:
David, no, I wish it were something that mundane. I have an eye condition that renders me able to read large text but I cannot see a viewfinder image. I am waiting for a first consultation at Moorfields eye hospital next week, and then I will know what the prognosis is.
Db7423 wrote:
Lovely photos Graham. Why can't you use your camera at the moment? Don't tell me your wife broke your shutter finger for some illicit purchase like poor 'ole Sarge69. ;)
David, no, I wish it were something that mundane. I have an eye condition that renders me able to read large text but I cannot see a viewfinder image. I am waiting for a first consultation at Moorfields eye hospital next week, and then I will know what the prognosis is.
Oh, Graham, I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope this is treatable and you are up and shooting soon. The Hog is a better place with you and I'm sure everyone will be praying for a speedy cure for you.
Mar 16, 2013 10:58:03 #
Db7423 wrote:
quote=GrahamS quote=Db7423 Lovely photos Graham.... (show quote)
Thank you for the kind thoughts, David.
Mar 16, 2013 11:11:30 #
Mar 17, 2013 10:33:13 #
Mar 17, 2013 19:59:46 #
GrahamS wrote:
I have just noticed that the theme of this week's ... (show quote)
Thanks Graham for the wonderful advice......love both shots.....best of luck :thumbup:
Jeanette
Mar 18, 2013 10:18:33 #
Glad you all found this informative. Thanks for the comments and replies. Good luck with your entries.
Mar 18, 2013 13:36:06 #
A low angle works great for sports too! Haven't got any recently in sports but used that method for this Dog shot at the park on a windy day.
A breezy walk in the park
Mar 19, 2013 06:37:01 #
Jimbo9948 wrote:
A low angle works great for sports too! Haven't got any recently in sports but used that method for this Dog shot at the park on a windy day.
Nice shot of the dog, but I would expect a little more foreground.
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