Taking low angle shots is a powerful tool in both filmmaking and photography. Learn our simple but detailed guide to make these shots with the right camera settings, gear, and more.
What are Low Angle Shots?
As the name suggests, such shots are made from a low angle, but how low? Well below eye level. Sometimes even below the feet. These shots are usually taken when the perceived height of the object is desired to be much higher than its actual height. Such angles are also commonly used when filming superhero scenes, making them look more powerful to the audience.
Apart from their use to convey power, they are also used to increase the perceived height of an object, especially if they happen to be short. They are also used to create an epic scale and grandeur effect for a subject in comparison to creatures of a super small size. For example, remember the scene in Ant-Man from Marvel when he uses his suit for the first time in the bathtub and Hope van Dyne walks in. That camera angle used to capture hope was a low-angle shot.
Types of Low Angle Shots
Standard low-angle shots are made just below eye level, and then there are extremely low-angle shots taken from a position much closer to the ground. These shots are used to add dynamic motion or create creative angles for a scene with dominance for the object in frame.
Equipment for Low Angle Shots
Capturing from a low angle means that you have to put your camera angles well below where you were comfortable before for everyday shots. For that, you will need to invest in tiltable or articulating screens attached to your camera. Such screens will allow you to comfortably compose shots from low positions, which is not possible with a normal camera setup. Moreover, your camera attached to a gimbal or other stabilization tool is a must.
Also, your camera needs to be coupled with wide-angle lenses (full frame around 35 mm and wider) with superior optics for minimal distortion. Such lenses will make sure that there are no distortions or other optical inconsistencies in a shot that emphasizes the foreground and has an expansive view. One such lens kit is the SIRUI Saturn 35/50/75mm Full-frame Carbon Fiber Anamorphic Lens series.
Designed with anamorphic optics and tuned at 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm focal lengths, this lens kit, especially the 35mm one, is ideal for creating cinematic and ultra-wide low-angle shots. The lens is capable of retaining full edge-to-edge consistency in its optical quality and adds a signature 1.6x horizontal squeeze to the footage. You also get classic anamorphic characteristics such as oval bokeh and unique lens flares, which were once limited only to Hollywood.
The lens series retains a very lightweight profile, as they weigh 500 grams each, which adds convenience for creating extremely low-angle shots.
How to Create Low-Angle Shots
To get a desired low angle for your shot, you need to place the camera and its tripod on the ground with its legs lowered. You can also use a small platform for more safety of the equipment. To avoid any unwanted shadows on the object at this angle, you need to place your lighting below or directly in front of the object.
Next, to guide the viewer to where he has to focus more, use natural frames and leading lines in the frame while adding camera pans, push-ins, or tilts if required by the scene. Quick tip: Use buildings or landscapes in the background, as it further magnifies the scale of the subject in frame.
Advanced Tips for Low Angle Shots
Once you know the basics, you can then experiment with natural or artificial lighting to create more dramatic low-angle scenes. Moving objects in the background are also a great way to bring more focus to the viewer on the scene. You can also combine long exposure, laser lights, or reflections in the background to create something not done before.
Wrapping Up:
Creating a low angle shot requires a good knowledge of how to shoot, which equipment to use, and which angle to choose. A wide-angle camera lens is required to capture such shots; for that, the SIRUI Saturn 35/50/75mm Full-frame Carbon Fiber Anamorphic Lens series is an ideal solution.
