From On High - Taking Photographs Looking Down on Your Subject

I'm always trying to think of new ways to make portraits look interesting. Last night I focused on NOT doing the same ol' straight-on (self) portrait. I got creative with vantage points.

I put the tripod up as high a it would allow (legs fully extended, and middle pole adjusted as high as it would go. Then I positioned the camera at the edge of my black muslin do it yourself backdrop (portion that is well extended out on the floor) and pointed the camera downward.

Next, I crouched under the lens and took a series of shots where I was looking straight up at the lens from below. I purposely wore a black shirt so I would blend in with my surroundings.

I'm so pleased with the results. It was so fun to try new things! I told my friend JULIE to try this with her youngest daughter because I think the perspective is so so so fun "looking down" seeing the head in clear focus and the rest of the body in the depth of field.













I also did this photo when I stood right up against the lights to my left with the camera on tripod right in front of me. I love the half light, half dark look:













Unfortunately this blog is turning out to be a tribute to myself while I try to find willing family & friends to pose for me for practice. The good news is I'm slowly getting people interested in being my models so soon you'll see other faces!