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
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