“Getting Down” to the basics
The best photography tip you’ll ever get for photographing wildlife, not-so-wild life (pets), insects, flowers, children, etc., etc. —
GET DOWN!!
We look at the world from our own viewpoint, and we have a tendency to photograph things the same way. Let’s say you’re walking on the beach and see something surprising — a snake. So you grab your camera, and take a shot.
Nice shot, cool pose on the snake. Fun snapshot. But look at the difference if we get down on the snake’s level. (by the way, I’m using a long lens, so I’m not close to the snake. He was just hanging out on the beach checking things out)
Here is is from a snake’s point of view. The shot was made by laying flat on my stomach, propped up on my elbows.
The lower point of view gives you:
A wonderful separation from the background
More of a connection to the animal
Let’s take a look at another example with getting even lower
The first shot is taken from a standing position
The second is from laying flat, propped up on elbows
The last shot is with the camera actually placed on the ground. (With newer cameras having the reticulating backs, you can place the camera on the ground and still view the back screen. If that doesn’t make much sense, don’t worry about that part — just notice the difference the position makes in the photo
Shot from a standing position
This photo of the crab eating a sand flea was taken from a higher viewpoint. Notice the beach and the shell back behind the crab. It’s quite distracting, and we don’t see as much of the crab.
Shot laying on stomach, propped up on elbows
Because of laying down on the beach, we get a much better view of the crab. He stands out from the background so much more. We still have some things in the background that are a bit distracting, but they’re more out of focus, so not quite as distracting.
Shot with camera sitting on the ground
All the way down on the ground makes a very small portion of the beach, along with the crab, in focus. It gives us a great subject, separated from the background with no distractions. And we see the crab from a crab’s point of view!
There are always exceptions to the rule. Sometimes you can’t get down. Sometimes the background would be too busy (even if it is out of focus). You can get good shots from a higher position.
But it’s also worth trying to get lower when you can
Remember — it’s not just for animal! Same holds true for flowers, insects, children, etc. Here’s one last example for you, taken with my cell phone.
