{"id":102128,"date":"2024-05-24T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=102128"},"modified":"2024-05-23T23:30:13","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T03:30:13","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-worms-eye-view-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/a-beginners-guide-to-worms-eye-view-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner’s Guide to Worm’s Eye View Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A lot of people would agree that the best photos of redwood trees are the ones where the photographer is looking up, enveloped by the giant products of nature. They evoke a sense of awe and wonder in the audience, making them feel small in comparison.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capturing this feeling in a photograph is made possible thanks to worm\u2019s eye view photography \u2013 a technique that we will be breaking down below.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is worm\u2019s eye view photography?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Photo from Arnaud Mesureur on Unsplash\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Worm\u2019s eye view photography is one of the best photography techniques to emphasize a subject\u2019s size. It\u2019s why the best pictures of skyscrapers and redwood trees are from a low angle<\/a>, intentionally making the viewer feel tiny \u2013 like a worm! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While less common than some other techniques, worm’s-eye view photography offers a unique way to capture a subject and can be a valuable skill to add to one’s skillset.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is worm\u2019s eye view different than bird\u2019s eye view?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look into what makes worm\u2019s eye view and bird\u2019s eye view so different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perspective<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fundamentally, the difference between both views is the camera position each one needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worm\u2019s eye view needs an extremely low camera angle<\/strong>, like pointing directly at the sky. When you see worm\u2019s eye view photos, you might think that the photographer is lying flat on their back and just pointing their lens to the heavens \u2013 and that\u2019s probably what\u2019s going on!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, bird\u2019s eye view takes the opposite approach. Bird\u2019s eye view photos are captured from high camera angles<\/strong>, meaning they always look down on a subject. Such photos can be taken from rooftops that the photographer dared to climb, a drone, a helicopter, or just from a high floor of a tall building.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meaning to the Viewer<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The two different perspectives<\/a> or camera angles<\/a> instill different emotions or meanings in the viewer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to its low-angle approach, worm\u2019s eye view can be used to make the viewer feel intimidated. From below, the subject appears absolutely monumental, blocking most of the foreground and emphasizing the subject\u2019s size and power.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, we have bird\u2019s eye view, which gives viewers a more authoritative feel of the subject. The panoramic view reveals the entire layout and how each element blends and works together. With it, viewers feel an immense understanding of the bigger picture.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Worm’s Eye View Photography<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Photo from Athena Sandrini on Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get down to business: How do you actually shoot in worm\u2019s eye view? What are the necessary tools to be ready beforehand? What else do I need to know? There\u2019s no need to wonder anymore, for below are the answers: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master the Angle<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Right from the get-go, you know that you\u2019ll need to shoot from a very low angle. You need to get down on your knees, lie flat on your stomach, or any way you can position your camera low enough for your satisfaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tripods or Platforms<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One needs good equipment to ensure the utmost stability in every shot \u2013 this goes for almost every technique in photography<\/a>. To ensure stability and therefore sharp images, you need to use the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n