Camera Angles and the Psychology Behind Poses

Hello Lovely Photography Fiends!

We might not all be blessed with incredible state of the art camera equipment, and although that can definitely create some amazing results, it is not necessarily the 'say all be all' to conveying a clear message with your photography.  A great deal of psychology goes into the fundamentals of a more physical responsibility: camera angles and poses.

Let's take a look at a few examples.

Giving Your Subject Power

Consider nature and history...

In nature, animals display a great deal of communication through body language alone.  For instance, a canine will roll over on its back, exposing its stomach, in an effort to show it is submissive and not a threat.  By lowering their body position and remaining vulnerable, power is immediately granted to the other creature.  Alternatively, animals displaying dominance often pin or place their body over another animal's body.  By taking this position of height, their power and dominance is enforced.  Humans have displayed similar behavior over the centuries as well.  After all, Kings and Queens sit on raised thrones, do they not?  Servants and loyal civilians bow, curtsey, or kneel to show their respect and relinquishment of power, no?

Main Point:  By positioning your client above you, angling your camera and shooting upward towards them, you immediately create a sense of power and dominance in your client.

Creating A Sense of Vulnerability

By applying the reverse, immediately your subject is far more vulnerable than a simple facial expression could convey.  Use this psychology to relay your story.  Creating your world inside a photo is far more than a talented model, it is the angle of the camera and the psychology behind it..the lighting..the staging..etc.

Know what you wish to convey before the shot and use your angles to achieve this!

Main Point: By positioning your client below you, angling your camera and shooting down upon them, you immediately create a sense of vulnerability not easily achieved with facial expressions alone.

Make Your Audience Feel As If They Are

In On The Secret or Participating

With The Client

Consider clubs...secret societies..political parties..etc.  What do they have in common?  They are filled with like-minded people, which in their world equates to equals.  By positioning your camera on an equal level as your subject,  you are immediately including your audience in the ongoings of the shot.  Use this angle to create a sense of thrill in participating with the subject.  Do not underestimate the influence this even leveled camera angle can have on your ultimate story of the shot!

Main Point: By positioning your client on the same level as your camera angle, an immediate sense of inclusion is created with the audience and the subject.

Allow Your Audience To Live Vicariously Through The Photo

Is your subject matter emotionally charged?  Allow your audience to feel that whirlwind.  By changing the horizontal plane, you immediately throw your audience off their feet, much like the feeling of a mind-blowing kiss.  Use this to accentuate a charged moment, or perhaps to add life to an image in need of a little pick-me-up.

This image is sweet when straight on, but the moment the horizontal plane shifts, I feel like my world is spinning and I am right there in the moment with them!

Main Point:  Enhance an emotional moment by altering your horizontal plane, forcing your audience to feel immediately caught off guard and as if their world is out of control as well.  This will help them further identify with the moment in the photo.

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Do you wish to know more about the mind behind the madness!? Check us out at Gritstone Studios or 'like' us on Facebook!