When you think of camera angles, your first impression might be they’re kind of odd. No matter how much you look up at the horizon, the sky is ever so slightly tilted.  Easier said than done, right? Well, yes and no.

Camera angles can be used creatively to help your photograph stand out in a crowd or create an atmosphere that reflects the scene rather than being forced onto some hulking black-and-white stage backdrop. The key to using camera angles as effective tools are to choose those that work for you instead of against you.

Often, this will mean looking down at the camera from above or below as opposed to giving yourself a self-imposed handicap. A bad photographer can make you look bad in a picture. Most people will then be asking themselves why I look fat in pictures. Well, it’s the camera angles that make you look so.

What is a Camera Angle?

Camera angles are the optical and photorealist techniques of using the camera. It is to indirectly and stage-allow you to take a picture that’s not just a reflection of the horizon but also a reflection of the nearby cityscapes, trees, or other backgrounds.

It’s almost impossible to define exactly how a camera angle works with a single shot. But there are three main general types of camera angle: perspective, vertical, and horizontal. Perpendicular, when it’s vertical, it’s directly perpendicular to the camera’s view, and horizontal, it’s located below the horizon. Other common camera angle types include square, circle, and polygon.

Why Does That Matter?

Camera angles are only relevant when you have a subject you want to get in the frame. If you want to get the shot of the sunset over the city skyline, a vertical camera angle would be against the grain of the composition and the shot.

On the other hand, if you want to get the shot of the sunset in a circular fashion around the horizon, you’ll want to shoot it with a horizontal camera angle. This is why it’s recommended to choose the right camera angle for your particular photography purpose. You want to get the shot that gives your subject the most impact while also looking as though it’s being taken from above or below the ground.

Camera angles are often used to show texture, contrast, or composition

Generally speaking, a camera angle is used to show the texture, contrast, or composition of the photo. In general, a vertical camera angle shows the sunset across the horizon while a horizontal camera angle shows it across the horizon and the surrounding scenery.

A square camera angle is used to show the sunset across the horizon in a clear, straight line while a circle camera angle shows the sunset more artistically. A polygon Camera angle is used for photo composition. It’s used to create a 3D or digital canvas that you can then use to create a photo.

The position of the Lipatti Purina, for example, can be direct across from the Japanese national flag. Apart from textures and contrast, there are a few other things that can befall under the category of camera angle.

Up on the Hill, Looking Over a Mountain

Not every hill has to be covered in twenty-five minutes. If you want to get a shot of the sunset over a mountainside at night, you need to take a more steady camera angle.

A vertical camera angle is used to show the night sky up close and personal while a horizontal camera angle shows the skyline above you from a much higher vantage point. A square camera angle shows the views from the same spot for a consistent visual image across the landscape.

Manhattan Bridge from Below, New York City from the Top of the World

If you want to capture the sunset from a city skyline, you need to take a more horizontal camera angle. A horizontal camera angle shows the city skyline from a spot that’s a little higher up in the sky than you were looking from. This is usually the city’s skyline at night, not the city’s horizon. A square camera angle shows the city skyline in all its splendor while a circle camera angle shows the city in all its splendor.

Also Read: Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing Food Label Printer

Bali’s Ubud Resort in One Photo

If you want to take a shot of a spa tub in one photo. You need a more conventional camera angle. A conventional camera angle shows the tub in all its splendor while a creative body-cam shot works well as a transition between shots of the spa pool or hot tub.

A creative camera angle can also show you doing anything from walking around to lounging in the tub.

Miami Beach from Above

If you want the best possible look at Miami Beach from above, you need to take a vertical camera angle. A vertical camera angle shows the city from above. While a horizontal camera angle shows the city from the same spot that you were looking from.

A horizontal camera angle is also known as a pan and scan or horizontal shot. A horizontal camera angle is also called an averaged- Picture technique or averaging-shot technique. This is often used to show the city in all its splendor.

Conclusion

Camera angles are tools that can be used to help your photograph stand out in a crowd. They can also create an atmosphere that reflects the scene rather than being forced onto some hulking black-and-white stage backdrop.

Choosing those that work for you is the key to using camera angles as effective tools. Oftentimes, this will mean looking down at the camera from above or below. As opposed to giving yourself a self-imposed handicap.