Introduction
For truly captivating photography try exploring creative angles with point of view (POV) and perspective. This means not just snapping with your camera at eye level but stopping and thinking about placing your camera in a different position. Let’s dive right in!
Go Low
Crouch down for a worm’s-eye view as I did here. Don’t underestimate the power of getting low, really low, with your camera and if there happens to be some water around then you kind of get ‘two for one’ with your composition as in this example shot in an alleyway in Bangkok.
Go High
Stretch your arms above your head or go higher if it’s safe to do so. In Bangkok there are often conveniently placed walkways and bridges to take advantage of.
Go Behind
If there are people near you taking photographs of some scene with their mobiles try getting behind them and include their phones in your shot. A photograph of a group of people holding their phones can make for an interesting point of view.
This works particularly well at an event or spectacle, as here at the Mae Khlong Railway Market. Indeed if there’s a crowd it’s almost impossible not to include other peoples’ phone screens in your shot. Here I focussed on the mobile screen not the scene in the background.
Go Close
If you are in an area where there are metal surfaces, for example a city walkway with metal sides, then try placing your camera right up against the side with the lens as close as possible to the surface for a novel point of view. This works particularly well with a mobile phone actually touching the surface.
Wrapping Up
By intentionally shooting from a different point of view and perspective, you can change a simple snapshot into a compelling visual narrative, drawing people deeper into the world you’re capturing with your camera.
Point of View FAQ
No, certainly not. In fact it is very easy to use a mobile phone camera as it’s light and handheld and can be easily positioned for different points of view.
This is actually most easily done using a mobile phone. Place the phone up against a suitable surface with the camera lenses closest to the surface for best effect. The example photographs above were taken with a mobile phone.
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