Changing height might seem like a weird thing to do if you’re photographing a subject. It might not immediately make sense to lower your camera to the floor, or get higher to shoot down. However, these actions dramatically change the relationship between objects in the composition.
When you photograph from lower angles, the foreground expands and pushes the background further back or higher in the frame. For example, the lines in the pavement will take up more space in a lower shot, whereas they will be reduced in a higher shot. Try thinking about the ground for other ideas (interesting grass or flowers, furniture, shadows, or leading lines etc. ). You might also be able to separate a subject from an otherwise busy background using a lower angle, so a simple wall or clear sky is visible instead.
From high angles, the background may be less noticeable as you are photographing downwards. You can use this if there are distracting elements in the background that you can’t avoid. High angle shots can also reveal patterns in the ground, or help show the relationship between objects.
It’s easy to overlook changing height when standing at eye level. Many photographers then crop heavily or blur the backgrounds later when looking at the photos. Moving up or down can sometimes solve problems easier in the camera. For example, if you see a pole appearing behind your subjects head at standing height, you might find a clean solution by photographing from a different angle.
The position of overlapping elements also changes with height. If a table looks awkward at one height, changing height might solve the problem. Remember that the lines of the background will change, which also changes where they sit in relation to other objects in the composition.
This means the frame edges can be a problem or help when changing height. It’s not enough to just check that the centre of the composition is better. You can easily remove an object from one side, or include a distracting element on the other.
Photograph a subject three times; first at eye-level, second from a lower position (knee height might work well for a person or object), and last time from a higher angle if you can do this safely. It’s best to stay a similar distance from the subject, to see the effect from height. Look at the three photos side by side. Notice how the foreground changes, and how the background sits in a different position in the frames.
Try a similar exercise by starting from one point and moving your position a little at a time. Move in a circle around the subject and shoot as you go. Compare the different viewpoints afterwards and try and understand what makes one better than the others.
You can also try changing your height with a variety of other techniques. This might be to find the best composition for an idea that’s already in your mind. However, it’s best to only change one aspect at a time. By adjusting your height, moving distance, changing lenses and tilting the camera, you might not understand where the improvements came from.
Next time a scene doesn’t look flat enough or dynamic, ask yourself how a small change in height will change the composition. You might get surprised to learn how much moving your height just 30 centimetres can change overlaps or emphasise the amount of movement. Ask yourself how the photo might look if you move just a small amount, before moving on to find a different subject.