Each person is unique, and that is why each person has a unique perspective or angle. As a photographer, you face the challenge of finding the best angle for your subject that can exhibit them in the best possible light. It is a known fact that the same angle will not work well for different subjects. People have distinct facial structures, body types, and looks that make them appear different from each other.

If you are photographing an architectural structure or a natural landscape as part of your photo shoot goals, being creative and experimenting with your angles is a great way to add impact and intensity to your photos. Just like photographing people, you have to photograph these non-living subjects from the best possible viewpoint. Think out of the box in terms of searching for good perspectives that have never been seen before.

The following are some tips to get your creative juices flowing, and help you get the perfect angle with each camera shot:

1. Get Down Low – Or The Hero Shot

A good angle can be attained by lowering the camera and shooting from below. This can magnify your subject and make them appear larger than life. Place your camera close to the ground and frame the central image using the rule of thirds, which involves mentally dividing up the area to be photographed. In some cases, you may want to add a bit of foreground detail to create more contrast and interest in your main subject.

This will add more expansiveness and depth to your photo. This type of angle where you are shooting from below can also be called the hero angle because the subject appears large and imposing when viewed this way. If you are photographing a person, this is also a good shot because they will appear taller. However, if they have bodily imperfections such as a thin torso or large thighs, this may come across as unflattering. So the subject needs to be considered carefully when opting for this approach.

2. Shoot From A Raised Position

Shooting from a high vantage point can provide a good angle. This emphasizes some of the assets of your subjects and can create a visual illusion. If you are shooting from above while photographing a portrait, it can highlight the face and make the features look slimmer. If you are photographing other types of subjects, shooting from a high angle can help your subject stand out from the background and other elements. It can result in a more captivating image and helps you focus on your subject as the main point of interest.

3. Use Different Focal Lenses

Choose a variety of lenses and focal lengths to help you choose and experiment with different outcomes in your photos. Sometimes attaching a different lens, such as a wide-angle lens, can give you a different perspective on your subjects that will prove to be very unique and appealing. For example, you can use a wide-angle lens for architectural buildings. Although it is ideal for buildings to be straight and solid-looking in photos, using a wide-angle lens will distort them, creating a refreshing and unique view of a building or edifice. Experiment with different lenses to create amazing views that help observers see a place or person from a new perspective.

4. Straight On Shot

Straight on shots are also known as frontality shots. In this process, the camera is situated at an angle of 90° from the subject in a classic perpendicular angle. The straight-on shot works well for most subjects, especially if you are photographing a person. It immediately highlights their features and their face in a flattering way.

However, it may not be the perfect choice if the person you are shooting has some facial imperfections such as asymmetrical eyes or lips, or has a crooked nose. If they have any glaring asymmetry, a good way to remedy this is to do a profile picture instead. For architectural buildings and non-living subjects, straight-on shots are a great way to exhibit a place and give viewers an exact representation of how something looks in real life.

5. Twist The Camera

Sometimes you might want to create movement and excitement in a photograph. Photography that uses the horizon as a guide is a classic way of framing a subject and is considered to be the technical and correct way of shooting any kind of photograph. However, this does not mean that you can’t break the rules sometimes, and you can add more drama and dynamism to your pictures if you use unusual angles.

You can twist the camera and create a diagonal line to form a triangular shape. The diagonal line adds interest to the photo and creates more of an impact. This kind of treatment is only good for certain kinds of subjects. Sports events, car races, and some portraits will look more flattering if you twist the camera and create a diagonal line.

Final Thoughts:

Photography is an artistic process that encourages you to think out of the box in terms of manipulating perspectives and angles. A piece of photography opens up a whole new perspective and a whole new world that is constructed by the vision of a photographer. Do not be afraid to explore new possibilities with your subjects, and make good use of angles to exhibit the beauty in everything.