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USING DYNAMIC ANGLES FOR ULTRA IMPACT

Quick Guide
Written by Kevin Landwer-Johan
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 Good composition is a key aspect of every In this guide, I’ll discuss how you can make use of
photo that’s worth looking at. Producing a strong dynamic angles for ultra-impact in your photos.
composition, no matter what your subject is, makes Learning to explore and experiment with camera
for a more interesting photograph. angles can add a fresh perspective to compositions,
especially when you’re photographing ordinary
The popular rules of composition in photography subjects.
are used frequently for a reason. Applied well, they
captivate a viewer’s attention for longer. But they Recommended Reading: If you’d like to
can become a little tired if overused. This is why it’s improve your composition skills for better
important to keep experimenting with the common images, grab a copy of Photzy’s best-selling
composition rules but also implementing other, less- premium guide: Understanding Composition.
used rules.

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 UNDERSTANDING
COMPOSITION IN
PHOTOGRAPHY

Before I started teaching photography, I

knew I had a problem. How could I teach
people how I compose photographs? This
was something I did not understand well
enough.

Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it

simply, you don’t understand it well
enough.” I knew I needed to be able to
express to others how I saw my subjects
and formed interesting compositions
of them. Doing this came naturally to
me, but explaining it was another story.
So, I worked hard to better understand
composition so that I could explain simply
what I do.

The only composition rule I stick to is to

‘fill the frame.’ This was drummed into me
when I started work in the photography
department of a daily newspaper. I
was told to eliminate anything from my
frame if it did not add to the story I was
illustrating. Back then, I wasn’t even aware
of many other rules of composition.
Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan

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 I still teach people to fill the frame and believe it Many photography teachers encourage you to learn
is the primary compositional rule in photography. the rules, and then break them. I prefer to teach that
How you arrange the elements that fill your frame the rules are there for a purpose and that they work
is best done intuitively. The way to develop your when well applied. Rather than breaking them, learn
compositional intuition is to: to apply any given rule appropriately and intuitively.
This will result in a stronger photograph.
· Learn the rules
This is particularly the case when making use of
· Practice them (a lot) dynamic angles in photographic compositions,
· Experiment with the rules such as exploring various angles with your camera,
using alternative focal length lenses, approaching
· Become so familiar with them that you can your subject from a high or low angle, and holding
apply them intuitively your camera so the horizon is not level and verticals
become diagonals. They all contribute more interest
to a composition when applied intuitively.

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 FILL YOUR FRAME

Make the most of the space you have within the alters your composition. A slight move to the left or
bounds of your camera frame. Filling this frame right might hide an ugly plastic chair or advertising
effectively makes for better photographs. One of sign behind your subject. Crouching down or
the best ways to include only what’s relevant in your stretching up higher will often help fill your frame
images is to find an angle where you avoid including only with what’s relevant.
distracting elements.
As you explore various angles, get creative. Don’t
Filling the frame well means that the composition is be bound by the rules but use them well. As you get
more interesting and will hold a viewer’s attention down on the ground for a low-angle composition,
for longer. If there is too much distraction in your make use of leading lines, diagonals, or some
composition, attention is lost from the main subject other compositional rule. Think of filling your frame
or story. as being a container in which you can fit other
composition rules. This will make your photographs
Think about what you see and how each element livelier.
in your composition relates to the others. If you are
seeing anything that does not enhance your main
subject or the story you want to tell, then move. Key Lesson: As you work at filling your
frame, always aim to work with one or two other
As you move, keep your eye on your subject and compositional rules. This will help you become
look at the relationship between it and the other more familiar with them and stimulate your
elements in your frame. You may be surprised at how intuition.
much even a small shift in your position dynamically

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 Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan

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 MAKE THE BEST USE OF
YOUR CAMERA FORMAT

Whether you use a full frame, APS-C, micro four-thirds,

square, or any other format, make the most of it.

Each format is different. To make the most interesting

compositions, you must work within the restrictions
of your image sensor. Alternatively, you can crop later
during post-production.

I work with both full-frame and micro-four thirds. These

frame formats are reasonably similar, but I find I must
treat my compositions a little differently for each.

Many years ago, I worked for a photographer who

used Hasselblad cameras exclusively. These cameras
have a 2 ¼ inch square format. Getting used to making
compositions in a square was challenging for me. Some
photographers prefer working within the bounds of a
square. I never managed to feel comfortable with it.

Key Lesson: Whatever camera format you use,

always look around the edges of your frame as you
Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan make a composition. Think about how you can use
the shape of your frame to enhance your subject.
This can often include choosing a dynamic angle to
take your photos from.

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 CHOOSE YOUR
FOCAL LENGTH

Experiment with different focal lengths.

Wide-angle lenses often create more
drama when you opt for a dynamic angle
to take your photos. But you can also use
standard and long focal lengths when
taking pictures from alternative angles.

Positioning yourself close to the subject

or any element in a photo when you have
a wide-angle lens on your camera can
add impact. Composing with a wide lens,
it’s easy to add interest by getting in close
and making use of leading lines. Think of
standing at the base of a tall building or
tree and taking a photo looking skyward,
or getting down and placing your camera
on the ground. The wider your focal
length, the more dramatic the results will
appear.

Standing above a subject, like a dog,

and using a wide lens can create a more
dynamic composition than taking it from
lower down or further back.

Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan

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 Standard lenses create less drama, but
you can still make use of them to create
dynamic angles in your photos. When
you find an interesting subject, take time
to move about and view it from different
locations. Look for an angle when it looks
most interesting, and the subject and
background work together.

Telephoto lenses can also be used to

create interesting dynamic angles in
compositions, particularly when looking
up or down at a subject.

Key Lesson: When you find an

interesting subject to photograph,
take a series of photos with different
focal lengths. The one you start with
may not produce the most dynamic
pictures. Unless you try a few, you
may miss the best angle.
Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan

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 DON’T ALWAYS STAND

Many photographers prefer to stand to take most of I love to look for places I can get up high. Getting
their photos. This is easy but does not always provide elevated above your subject often produces a more
you with the best angle to capture a good photo. unusual perspective. Being up higher than your
subject and looking down is not common, so this
Each time you eye up a new subject, think about the angle is, therefore, more appealing.
best angle to photograph it from. It may well be that
you’ll get a great picture from a standing position.
Unless you move about and try other angles, you’ll Key Lesson: Unless you actually move
never be sure. about, you’ll not be sure that you are getting
your photos from the most interesting angles.
Get down lower to the ground and observe your Take time, and make the effort, to get down on
subject. Look at the relationship between it and the the ground to view your subject from a low
background. When you’re low to the ground, the angle. Look around and see if there is
background appears very different than when you are somewhere you can capture your subject from a
standing. bird’s eye perspective.

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 Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan

USING DYNAMIC ANGLES FOR ULTRA IMPACT // © PHOTZY.COM 12

 PRACTICE BEING CREATIVE WITH
YOUR COMPOSITIONS

Practicing new techniques refines your skill. The more you practice, the
more intuitive you become. Before long, you’ll be making photos with
more dynamic composition angles than you could previously imagine.

Take time with your camera in hand and force yourself to look for
subjects and scenes that work well when photographed from different
angles. Don’t worry about doing it right or wrong—just experiment.
There is no correct or incorrect way to frame any subject. It’s up to you
about what you think looks good.

Start by framing a photo the way you’d normally do it. Then, change
your angle. Move about. Look at your subject from a low angle and
from above if you can. Tilt your camera. Change your lens or zoom. Try
things that you might not normally try. This helps to train the way you’ll
compose subjects.

Experimenting by taking lots of photos from dynamic angles will

help train your eye. Practice only taking photos using alternative
composition techniques. By doing this, you’ll grow to recognize when
to best use dynamic angles in the future.

Recommended Reading: If you’d like to improve your

composition skills for better images, grab a copy of Photzy’s best-
selling premium guide: Understanding Composition.

Photograph by Kevin Landwer-Johan

USING DYNAMIC ANGLES FOR ULTRA IMPACT // © PHOTZY.COM 13

 Self-Check Quiz:

1) What is one key aspect of any good photo?

2) Why is it important to fill the frame?

3) Can you incorporate other compositional techniques while filling the frame?

4) What type of focal length often adds more drama to a dynamic angle?

5) Why is it important to move about and view a subject from different angles?

6) How does practicing compositional techniques help you begin to use them more intuitively?

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understand the basics. photography back. everything you can imagine.

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Want quick photography tips?

Check out our friends at DailyPhotoTips.com they'll send you 1 solid photography tip
to your inbox, 5 days a week. So you can start your day right, with actionable tips to
help you on your creative journey. Subscribe now →
(free for a limited time)

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Congratulations! You’ve completed
this Photzy guide!

If you liked this photography tutorial,

check out this premium composition
guide to help you better compose
images: Understanding Composition.

Kevin is a New Zealand professional photographer living in the

north of Thailand since 2002. During his career he has worked
in editorial, documentary, and commercial photography. He
now also teaches photography workshops and writes books
and articles. You can read his blog here. He runs photography
workshops based at his home in rural northern Thailand.
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