Getting Low with Platypod: 5 Types of Pics that Prove the Power of Low-Angle Photography
For photographers, the angle of a shot is absolutely everything. One of the reasons we created both the Platypod Max & Platypod Ultra was to provide the ease and stability needed when getting unique angles that ordinarily are difficult with a traditional tripod. So, we absolutely love getting shots from photographers all over the world who are excited by the low angles they can get when shooting with Platypod.
The low-angle shot, which conveys strength, power, and drama, is a favorite technique amongst our users, so we wanted to share some of the awesome low-angle images that were recently made using a Platypod. Here's five low-angle techniques and pics that we just love, along with some tips for making really cool low-angle shots that will make your pictures pop!
1. Low-Angle Fisheye Lens Shots
Pictured: NY Times Square; Deb Sandidge
Fisheye lenses are great for capturing the world around you in fun, surprising and unconventional ways. World Travel Photographer & Nikon Ambassador Deb Sandidge recently used her Nikon and a fisheye lens at NY Times Square to pull off a fun, colorful effect. As you can see in the image below, Deb also used her Platypod Ultra for camera support. She wrote about her NY trip in a recent blog post here.
2. Stunning Low-Angle Sunset Photography Shots
Pictured: Arc de Triomph, Paris; Shaun Rivas
Most landscape photographers consider a tripod absolutely essential in sunrise and sunset photography. In the image below, you can see the stunning, powerful effect captured by using a Platypod that enabled a super-low angle. The decision to leave the traditional tripod off the gear list also made this photographer's trip so much lighter -- always a huge relief as the gear pounds start quickly adding up!
This image above was submitted for our Platypod Summer Photo Contest (Ending 8/13!). This pic by photographer Shaun Rivas shows how a low-angle can create a stunning, dramatic effect during sunset shoots. For this image, Shaun was shooting with Nikon and Platypod.
3. Car Photography: Super-Cool, Super Low Shots
Pictured: Porsche Beachwood; TJ Powell
If you want to photograph cars like a pro, you've got to get your angles right. Many car photographers have found that placing the camera at a low level, seemingly peering up at the car, creates a powerful, dramatic effect. In the picture below, which we featured on one of our #FeatureFriday posts, we see just how getting those low-angle shots can really make the features of a car stand out and draw attention to the sleek lines and angles that make some of the world's most treasured cars memorable. If you want the details of the car to stand out, shoot low!
4. Amusement Park Photography:
Low-Angle Shots for Theme Park Photos
Pictured: Universal Studios; Gilmar Smith
It's summertime, and that means prime time for amusement-park photography! While there are plenty of fun images to create at theme parks, the photographer has to consider some pretty critical factors before heading into a hot, muggy theme park for the day. First, there will be scores of people all around you, so you'll have to be agile and quick when setting up for your shots. Second, you really don't want to get stuck in a hot, tourist-filled theme park for hours lugging around heavy gear. For both reasons, the Platypod comes in super handy. It will also help you get gorgeous, low-angle shots like the one below, quickly and efficiently. Read more about how Gilmar got this shot on her recent blog post here.
5. Bird & Wildlife Photography
Pictured: Ben T. Davis Beach, Tampa, FL; Jason Hahn
Getting low with wildlife will help you achieve a new perspective, offering a brilliant, intriguing angle. Shooting low in bird and wildlife photography helps isolate your subject against a clean background for a crisp view of your critter. Getting low also creates a great way to make eye contact with your subject. You can also make smaller subjects look powerful, majestic, even, when you shoot low in the wild! You can read more about that here in our blog post about Capturing Wildlife Images with Platypod!
Now that you've seen some of the ways our Platypod users are getting creative with low-angle shots, we hope you are ready to get low! And when you are, don't forget to bring along Platypod Max or Platypod Ultra to make getting low super easy. Here's to great shots and sturdy camera support that will keep your camera safe and clean so you can focus on getting those awesome shots, not on trying to get them!