Dutch Tilt Portrait

[AMAppel]

I like how some pics are angled and I've learned this is called the Dutch Tilt or Dutch Angle, yet I haven't really found any info on how to apply it. Any critique on this or suggestions on how to apply the Dutch Tilt would be most helpful! Thanks!

Of course, any other critique is most welcome!!!

Oops, forgot to add settings! Here they are -
Nikon D70
Lens - 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6
1/125 sec. @ f/4.8
70 mm
ISO 640

[ressalg]

I've seen this style before but I never knew it had an actual term. It's a nice effect and I like the b&w, too. I read that the technique is often used to portray a sense of unease or instability. Did you have her tilt her head to accentuate the effect?

[AMAppel]

No, it actually just happened that way. I was doing the tilt with my camera and she tilted her head. I've heard that is what you're supposed to do but I'm not sure.

[Benji]

The proper tilt can add a lot to an image, but if the subject's head is tilted to an extreme, and then the image maker tilts the camera, the results can look odd.

Below is one image tilted two ways. Look at the horizontal wrinkle in the muslin background to see the camera tilt. A tilt clockwise of the camera tilts the subject counterclockwise.

Benji

[SuperDan]

I love it... everything about it.. the colors... or lack of, but the tones are great and the tilt totally works here!

nice shot

[SoxAddict]

I too love the tilted shots, not only for portraits but scenery too. Love this image of yours too, it's beautiful.

[AMAppel]

@ Benji
So, I'm not quite sure I understand. Is my pic tilted too far? Does it look odd? With the three examples that you gave me - are those all done properly or is the third one tilted too far? I know I don't like it when I look at a pic and find myself tilting my head to see it - that can't be good. :-)
Thanks for the input!!

[AMAppel]

@ SuperDan
Thank-you! It's my first experiment with the dutch tilt for portraits so I'm hoping to learn it correctly. I love your Ansel Adams quote by the way - Adams is an awesome photographer - I admire his work greatly!!

[AMAppel]

@ SoxAddict
I've never tried with landscapes, I'll have to experiment with that too! Landscapes are really my first love in photography along with old, run-down buildings. Thank-you!!

[ressalg]

Originally Posted by AMAppel

No, it actually just happened that way. I was doing the tilt with my camera and she tilted her head. I've heard that is what you're supposed to do but I'm not sure.

I kind of thought that might be the case. Some people seem to have a tendency, when they see a camera pointed at them, to tilt their heads. I like to refer to them as "tippy-heads".

In this situation it does seem to over accentuate the tilt of the image itself. Almost like she's about to fall over.