Get Down and Dirty for a New Perspective On Your Photography

Looking for a unique perspective to shoot from that gets a WOW response from those you show your shots to?

One of the simplest and yet most effective techniques to do this is to get right down low – flat on your stomach to take your shots.

This especially has impact when you use a wide lens and get plenty of the foreground in your shot.

I’ve been doing this a lot recently in photographing our baby (getting down on their level is a key rule in photographing babies) however it is a technique that can be used in virtually every type of photography.

Of course there are some costs to getting down low (making clothes dirty and embarrassment are two that come to mind) but these are small prices to pay for the type of shots you can end up with.

Try it – and post your results in this week’s ‘Get Down and Dirty’ Assignment in our discussion group.

Images by Fixed Image and franklumix.

Read more from our Composition Tips Category

Darren Rowse is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School. He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips. Follow him on Instagram on his 'darrenrowse' account, on Twitter at @digitalPS or on Google+.

11 Responses to “Get Down and Dirty for a New Perspective On Your Photography” - Add Yours

Dave J. Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 3:28 am

I like my Canon A610 which has a flip-out viewer panel so you can put the camera on the ground w/o getting dirty. A lot of shots I shoot at waist-height with this camera, which I think improves the results without looking like a dork all bent over.
Tony from Toodyay West AU Says:
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:54 pm

I Dont bother what other people think when Im on the Pursuit of a good picture,Im doing it for me if others happen to like my work Fantastic that is a bonus. I have noticed MANY years ago People usually dont “See”
Photographers how many people remember seeing a profesional Photographer at a wedding? or running the side lines of a sports field? If I have to get down and twisted into a unusal position I usually do. Tho the getting down and up find is getting harder than finding the shot i want to take !
Karen Fraser Says:
November 4th, 2006 at 8:08 pm

I took a great angle by lying under a tree looking up, the bark was graet detail and it really looks amazing looking up at a tree from the ground…
Devin Says:
November 28th, 2006 at 4:04 pm

I agree you can take any picture and make it art by changing the angle of the camera.
Paddy Says:
December 29th, 2006 at 7:58 am

Thanks for such a great website. Your tips are helpful and written in plain language. Very inspiring. Keep up the wonderful work.
Vince Says:
February 15th, 2008 at 4:12 am

That sounds like an awesome idea! Think I’ll try it!
MeiTeng Says:
March 10th, 2009 at 11:26 am

Thanks for sharing this! I will try it out.
jill Says:
April 22nd, 2011 at 2:06 am

This time of year I use my camera as a license to be down on my back or tummy wallowing in flowers and enjoying their scent. If I wasn’t “propped” with a camera against my face in public gardens, I am afraid calls would be made about the middle aged woman who has been flat on her stomach staring at a tulip for the last 40 minutes.
When I misted a flower for a dew like look, a concerned citizen galloped up to ask what I was spraying on the flowers. Call Homeland Defense…a flower terrorist is on the loose!
Tim Says:
April 25th, 2011 at 1:18 am

Loved the Homeland Defense remark.
Margarita Says:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:03 am

Hi,

I am going to take pictures of a friend’s wedding. I am not going to charge because this is going to be my first experience. I would like to see how I do it. I am a baby photographer, and I love it, but it is different from a wedding. I have a Nikkon D-90 with a Speedlight SB-600, so my equipment is good, now I need to take great pictures. I have learnt a lot in your blog.
Thanks,
Toni Chapman Says:
May 1st, 2012 at 11:20 am

This is a great idea. I have done this on many occasions, getting down and getting my grandsons to jump over me from something high, the pics are great.