Author Topic: Getting dirty -- Show your low angles (Read 3252 times)

jharr · « **on:** August 06, 2016, 08:54:32 PM »

One of the pieces of advice that sticks with me is "change the angle". I read this, probably in Popular Photography a couple of decades ago and it seemed so glaringly obvious and simple that I was surprised I hadn't thought of it on my own. The idea was that we all view the world from between 5 and 6.5 feet off the ground all the time. So taking a photo from a standing position is just replicating what we see every day, all day. That isn't bad of course. In fact, most famous photographers never leave that 'standing zone'. However, I occasionally like to change the angle for a photograph to be something different than what we see every day. Most often this takes the form of getting on my knees or my belly and shooting at a lower than normal angle. If the urge overtakes me in a parking lot or a vacant lot or even a grassy spot in the neighborhood, I often end up getting dirty and since I work at a desk in front of a computer, Mrs. jharr is frequently confused about how my clothes have grass stains or mud on them. I am getting good at making up stories of how I foiled a bank robbery or made a winning touchdown in an impromptu football game. Anyway, here is one of my recent 'low angle' shots. Please share yours.

K1000-Eterna-018 by James Harr, on Flickr

Bryan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2016, 09:53:58 PM »

That's one reason I like TLR's so much. I'm sure I have shared these here in the past.

Three Little Mushrooms by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Hypnotoad by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Francois · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2016, 11:03:15 PM »

Funny 'cause I always ask beginner photographers why they have knees

here's a really old one, not my lowest shot but still enough to get people to look at you strange.
And this one was also an experiment in grain enlarging.

Francois · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2016, 11:05:55 PM »

I just found lower...
This one I was on my back in the dirt to try and get everything into the frame
It was also in the Filmwasters book.

KevinAllan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2016, 09:36:35 AM »

I said to someone the other day, if your knees aren't dirty when photographing landscapes, you aren't trying hard enough.

RZ67 and Fuji Pro 160S at 4.00am:

calbisu · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2016, 02:47:00 PM »

I think this one will do

Polaroid 195 - meanwhile breakfast 3 by calbisu, on Flickr

Indofunk · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2016, 04:50:30 PM »

Good idea. I was just having a smartphone "photowalk" with my 5yo niece (it's amazing how much she is into photography!) and her mom & I were commenting on how different her pictures looked because they were taken from her perspective about 4 feet below ours

Can't post them obvs, but they're pretty damn good for a 5yo

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2016, 06:10:14 PM »

Here's lookin' up.

Terry · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2016, 09:41:16 PM »

I agree with Bryan--a TLR is a big advantage in low-angle shooting

bricks par Terry B, on ipernity

Late Developer · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2016, 10:23:16 PM »

Nice photos. Love Bryan's "Hypnotoad".

Here's one from a couple of years ago - taken in Stratford - site of the 2012 Olympics - just outside the station.

From memory: Nikon F3HP, Nikkor UD 20mm, Ilford XP2 Super.

Adam Doe · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2016, 03:02:28 AM »

Undertruck by adoephoto, on Flickr

jojonas~ · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2016, 01:00:46 PM »

hah! like something that stuck with me... "get wide, get low" or something like that. Ed let that out in the podcast once

waist level finders and pinhole cameras are mostly what get me on my knees

moominsean · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2016, 02:58:20 PM »

jharr · « **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2016, 03:52:26 PM »

Oh, I'm loving this! It's like having a bird's-eye view of the world... if the bird is a penguin or a kiwi.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2016, 06:45:03 PM »

Does sea level count

These are from Andalusia (Spain) a few years ago. Taken with a Coronet Mark II 127 camera and a red filter. Knee deep in the ocean, bent over at the waist trying to get as close to the surface as possible without losing the camera.

Andalusia: January 2005 by Ed Wenn, on Flickr

Francois · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2016, 08:49:42 PM »

Oh yeah, anything that will get you wet or dirty counts

Well... that's not entirely true. I can think of a few things that get you wet and dirty that you don't want to have associated with photo taking...

MaxR88 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 11, 2016, 01:41:06 PM »

What a cool thread, I think the Hypnotoad being my favourite so far.
Changing viewpoints is something I don't do enough but here is one taken at Stockholm(?) airport late last year.
FE-2, Portra 400.

jharr · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2016, 05:28:12 PM »

Quote from: MaxR88 on August 11, 2016, 01:41:06 PM

What a cool thread, I think the Hypnotoad being my favourite so far.
Changing viewpoints is something I don't do enough but here is one taken at Stockholm(?) airport late last year.
FE-2, Portra 400.

NICE! That makes me want a 'vanishing point' thread!!

Indofunk · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2016, 05:40:50 PM »

How's this? Below platform level

Don't try this at home! by Satish Indofunk, on Flickr

jharr · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2016, 06:11:24 PM »

@indofunk: More vanishing points!!!

I didn't get dirty for this one, but it is floor level (wlf but not tlr). I never thought about it, but it is hard to get a greyhound's nose and eyes in focus in low light with slow film. #longdogsrule

S2a-acros-009 by James Harr, on Flickr

MaxR88 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2016, 02:03:33 PM »

Thanks jharr.
I thought there was a vanishing point thread, or maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else on the internet, clearly a reason to start one.

Here's another from a hotel in Finland that looked like it was stuck in the 70's decor wise. Got a rather odd look from another hotel guest as he walked past me kneeling on the floor to take the picture.
FE-2, XP2, tripod.

GrainTrain · « **Reply #21 on:** August 25, 2016, 12:58:22 AM »

I really dislike posting Instagram links (sorry!) but I wasn't able to figure out how to post a gif here. This is from a recent roll through a Nishika n8000 I grabbed, essentially for free.

https://instagram.com/p/BIYJi3VBK8p/

MacArron · « **Reply #22 on:** August 25, 2016, 05:51:26 AM »

Oh. What a good thread! I love laying on the floor trying to get a different view.

Also I'm kind of a lazy guy, so this is one of my favourite photo styles

I'll post some whenever I'm at home.

I like the Andalusia water risky shoots!!