He did it to add more depth to his landscapes and create a better overlook of the foreground.
We’re so accustomed to viewing a landscape at eye level, that sometimes when you raise that point of view just a little bit, you’ll get a new perspective and a new emotion.
Have you ever noticed how you always enjoy the view from a skyscraper, plane, or atop a wonderful mountain?
I think one of the reasons we love these views from above is because we’re simply not accustomed to it. But, I also think objects feel much less powerful when viewed from above (a feeling you might want to convey in your photograph).
When you reach the summit of a mountain peak, do you ever feel like you’ve conquered it? The key to capturing this feeling of conquest is to photograph landscapes from an elevated position.
This doesn’t just apply to photographing mountains, like the one pictured above. It applies to any kind of landscape, but works best when you feel like the foreground lacks depth or if your background object seems to abruptly come out of nowhere.
We see landscapes at eye-level everyday, so never stop exploring new perspectives. And, don’t be afraid to get on top of your car for a photograph, even if everyone around you will think you’re crazy 🙂
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About the Author: Steve Berardi is a naturalist, photographer, computer scientist, and founder of PhotoNaturalist. You can usually find him hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains or the Mojave Desert, both located in the beautiful state of California.
If you are going out for a “shoot” it works to take a fold-up ladder along in the trunk of the vehicle. These are strong and easily transported. Set up in an “A” configuration you have a good vantage point to look from above!
@Bob – good idea about bringing a ladder in the trunk. Have you been successful in keeping it still though?
That’s a great tip to get on top of the car, Steve. I’ll remember that. Hmm, a decision to make – carry my golf clubs, or a ladder 🙂