Anything But Eye Level
The Art of Exploring Unique Angles in Surf Photography
Introduction
Today, I want to share with you the concept of "Anything But Eye Level," a principle that challenges you to break free from what everyone else is shooting and discover new angles that captivate and intrigue viewers. By embracing this approach, you'll unlock the potential to create surf and wave images that offer fresh viewpoints and evoke a sense of wonder. So, let's uncover the magic of finding unique angles in your surf photography.
Escape the Ordinary: Rise Above Eye Level
In our daily lives, we view the world from a typical vantage point—around 5-6 feet in the air when standing. Consequently, when we capture images from the same eye-level perspective, they tend to blend in with what people are accustomed to seeing. While there's nothing inherently wrong with these vantage points, it's essential to challenge ourselves and seek out higher and lower angles that offer a fresh and captivating viewpoint. Viewers are instantly intrigued by viewing images from vantage points they are not used to seeing.
Embracing Different Perspectives: The Power of Unfamiliar Angles
To truly stand out in the world of surf photography, it's crucial to explore different angles and seek out unique locations that provide fresh perspectives. Challenge yourself to view the world from unexpected heights and lower positions, creating compositions that surprise viewers. By consciously seeking out these different angles, you breathe new life into your images and offer viewers a refreshing viewpoint they may not have experienced before.
The Low Angle Advantage: Magnifying the Power of Waves
When it comes to shooting waves, getting lower can significantly enhance the impact of your images. Ideally, when shooting up close or from the shoreline, strive to capture the peak of the wave breaking above the horizon. While swell size plays a role in this, there are instances where simply squatting, kneeling, or even lying down on the shore can change the angle enough to achieve this effect. By placing the peak of the wave above the horizon, you create a visually striking image that magnifies the size and power of the wave.
Revelling in Elevated Perspectives: Shooting from Above
On the flip side, another approach to finding unique angles is to seek out high vantage points and shoot down towards the subject. This technique offers an interesting viewing angle that allows you to capture sweeping lines of swell or waves in your frame. By embracing elevated perspectives, you can showcase the vastness and beauty of the scene, providing viewers with a captivating sense of scale and perspective.
Conclusion:
You've now discovered the art of exploring unique angles and perspectives,that will help your surf and wave images stand out from ordinary eye-level viewpoints. Remember to seek higher and lower angles that offer fresh and captivating viewpoints. Experiment with low angles to magnify the power of waves, capturing their grandeur from a unique perspective. Embrace elevated vantage points to provide viewers with a sense of scale.
