Do you ever tilt on purpose? (a discussion/photo share thread): When I posted this shot to FYC in October 2016 I was not familiar with the term, "Dutch Angle" , so I didn't realize...

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

When I posted this shot to FYC in October 2016 I was not familiar with the term, "Dutch Angle", so I didn't realize what I'd done

The name originated with a German movie and seems to be used quite extensively in films. It is called the “Dutch” angle because of a mispronunciation — it is actually the “Deutsch” angle (ref).

One still photographer's name in particular came up in recent research: Garry Winogrand, who "was a master of the technique in street photography, making his photos seem more edgy and off-kilter." I have been personally advised, the 'tilt' should be obvious. Give the image a purposeful angle so that the viewer understands it was tilted deliberately. Be aware that when facing out of the angle the subject will appear unbalanced and seemingly falling over. Other tips from the reference linked above:

- to show instability or tension, or add mood to lighthearted scenes
- in automobile photography to offset the static showroom look
- to give more room in the frame for tall subjects

Do you ever use the Dutch Angle? If yes, please post a photo and discuss. Or if you think it's just a silly gimmick, free to say so - and why, of course.

Thanks for participating!

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I have not used it, but I do believe that it can be very effective in certain situations, but used sparingly. There some photos that I wish I had tilted, after the fact.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Linda, I never use that technique. It maybe due to the fact back in the 70's some people would do it their snapshots. I purposely used that term because basically that is all the picture was. They felt it gave an artsy feel to their photo. I personally never got that felling. It was a turn off for me. I understand it is a technique, but one I never even think about using.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

jaymatt wrote:

I have not used it, but I do believe that it can be very effective in certain situations, but used sparingly. There some photos that I wish I had tilted, after the fact.

Coincidentally, I just tried rotating a few older shots, and on two of them (I'll share later in the thread), a "slight" tilt makes the composition more interesting, I think. Many thanks for your visit, John!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

NJFrank wrote:

Linda, I never use that technique. It maybe due to the fact back in the 70's some people would do it their snapshots. I purposely used that term because basically that is all the picture was. They felt it gave an artsy feel to their photo. I personally never got that felling. It was a turn off for me. I understand it is a technique, but one I never even think about using.

Oh my, the tilts of the '70's - forgot all about those

Thanks so much for your comments, Frank.

whwiden

Yes. I will do a proper post when I have access to my computer. Garry Winogrand is sometimes considered the first "digital" photographer because he took so many shots. He mostly shot 28mm lenses on Leica M4 cameras using tri x film.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Not that I can recall. So, probably not.
--Bob

Linda From Maine wrote:

When I posted this shot to FYC in October 2016 I w... (show quote)

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Linda From Maine wrote:

The name originated with a German movie and seems to be used quite extensively in films. It is called the “Dutch” angle because of a mispronunciation — it is actually the “Deutsch” angle .

Thanks for that, Linda.
But I don't recall ever doing the Deutsch tilt intentionally.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

This one is a learning moment for me. I’ve seen intentionally tilted shots but never knew the name associated with the technique. The only time I’ve intentionally tilted that I can think of is weird architectural shots where you really can’t necessarily tell which way is up anyway. I like the effect in this shot. It seems to make it more compelling. I just googled the term and saw some examples that were surely a dramatic improvement over what they would have been.

It seems to me that a primary use would be in street photography but there are probably situations where it would work, even in nature photography. Tall trees comes to mind as a potential subject. I agree with others that it isn’t something to use as a go-to but it can be dramatic with the right composition.

repleo Loc: Boston

Linda From Maine wrote:

When I posted this shot to FYC in October 2016 I w... (show quote)

I have tilted my shots on occasion for various different reasons, but mostly because I liked the composition. I didn't know there was a name for it. Unfortunately, the "your horizon is not level" police here on UHH have indoctrinated me to see the world through a spirit level.

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Dave Chinn

Linda From Maine wrote:

When I posted this shot to FYC in October 2016 I w... (show quote)

Linda, I have to agree with Cwilson341. I have in the past experimented with the tilt, but not enough to remember where the files are. If I accidentally come across them I'll post one, but I can't guarantee anything. What I can guarantee is I have many, if not all of my images have a slight tilt (unintentional) to the left and I'm always straightening them and believe it or not, some I can't see that need straightening. I have seen many images of this style and while some I like and some I don't is most likely why I choose not to intentionally perform the task, but with me, that is always subject to change. I'm always the last to board.
Dave

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I don't use this (but I think I can see it's effectiveness). I love your example and the unbalanced (or perhaps overbalanced) eggs. My eye goes back and forth between the stable man on the bucket and the quirky cook. Nice work and thank you for sharing.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

repleo wrote:

I have tilted my shots on occasion for various different reasons, but mostly because I liked the composition. I didn't know there was a name for it. Unfortunately, the "your horizon is not level" police here on UHH have indoctrinated me to see the world through a spirit level.

Thanks for your photos, Phil! For me, the perspective of #1 makes it now about lines and form rather than a more literal viewpoint. I like this a lot.

#2 is really interesting to puzzle through. I think I'd enjoy with just the two walkways and the wooden structure (leaving out the right side windows). Would that make it more abstract? Maybe a bad thing, depending on intent.

Regarding the "not level" police - that speaks to the need for making sure the tilt is intentional and that it makes sense (to most, anyway - ha) for the subject and composition. Fun to contemplate!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

whwiden wrote:

Yes. I will do a proper post when I have access to my computer. Garry Winogrand is sometimes considered the first "digital" photographer because he took so many shots. He mostly shot 28mm lenses on Leica M4 cameras using tri x film.

Thanks so much, looking forward to your pic. Ed Shapiro is going to stop by tonight or tomorrow. I should have sent out the invitations earlier, lol.

OddJobber wrote:

Thanks for that, Linda. But I don't recall ever doing the Deutsch tilt intentionally.

Can you remember life before Google? I can't

rmalarz wrote:

Not that I can recall. So, probably not.

Hard to work into your favored subjects and scenes, I'd image, Bob. Thanks.

Cwilson341 wrote:

...It seems to me that a primary use would be in street photography but there are probably situations where it would work, even in nature photography... I agree with others that it isn’t something to use as a go-to but it can be dramatic with the right composition.

Thanks for commenting, Carol. I saw one cute image of a cat peering from top of a cabinet; the deliberate angle added whimsy. For the dramatic, it certainly does seem to favor street or people photography.

Dave Chinn wrote:

... I have many, if not all of my images have a slight tilt (unintentional) to the left and I'm always straightening them...

Me too! (mostly landscapes) It'll be cool to see if you have any from your street photography, or maybe composites? Thanks for commenting, Dave!

pfrancke wrote:

...I love your example and the unbalanced (or perhaps overbalanced) eggs. My eye goes back and forth between the stable man on the bucket and the quirky cook...

Many thanks, Piet. When I first posted, someone pointed out that the face on the bucket, which appears to be a container for iced tea, is...the rapper Ice-T. The humor fits right in for that restaurant, believe me

Beth's Cafe, Seattle

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A golden oldie revisited. For two consecutive years I saw a redtail hawk nest (with triplets both years!) on the walkway of an un-used water tower. #1 is my original orientation, and #2 I did this morning as an experiment. It's not a strong tilt, of course, but just that slight rotation and corresponding change in the angle of the metal rails seemed to imply a steeper drop for the fledgling.