Art 177 :: Creative Photography

Vantage Points

Vantage Points [or point of view]❖ A vantage point, or point of

view is where the camera is placed in relationship to the primary object being photographed

❖ By changing the vantage point, the photographer can affect the emphasis within the setting, the strength of the object and the juxtaposition (physical relationships) between the objects

Vantage Points [or point of view]❖ There are three basic vantage

points:❖ Eye level❖ Low POV❖ High POV [looking down]

❖ And two variations:❖ High POV [looking up]❖ Vertical [looking straight

down]

Vantage Points [eye level]❖ The eye level vantage point

creates a neutral photograph❖ These photos essentially

recreate how we normally see things

❖ Most photographs are shot at eye level

Vantage Points [eye level]❖ While sometimes this can

create a somewhat boring photo, it can also be the most intimate

Vantage Points [low point of view]❖ The low point of view

tends to create a more intimate look than at eye level

Vantage Points [low point of view]❖ The low point of view

emphasizes the object closest to the ground

Vantage Points [low point of view]❖ It also makes the object

appear to be larger and stronger

Vantage Points [high point of view]❖ The high point of view tends

to create a more patriarchal photo

❖ The high point of view emphasizes the part of the object closest to the camera

Vantage Points [high point of view]❖ It also emphasizes shapes

and the form of the object

Vantage Points [high point of view]❖ It also makes the object or

person appear to be weaker

Vantage Points [vertical]❖ The vertical point of view can

help abstract the subject matter since we normally don’t view it from that angle

❖ It can also emphasize the shape of the object and its relationship with the area around it [the figure/ground relationship]

Vantage Points [high point of view]❖ The high point of view while

looking up can help abstract the subject matter since we normally don’t view it from that angle

❖ It can also emphasize the shape of the object and its relationship with the area around it [the figure/ground relationship]

Vantage Points [considerations]❖ People are often tempted to take

a photo from a high, or low point of view because it “looks cool”

❖ Vantage points are extremely powerful tools you can use to modify the look of the objects, the location and/or the relationships between everything in the photo

❖ Consider why you chose the vantage point before taking a photo