Photography is more than just capturing an image—it’s about telling a story. One of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in a photographer’s arsenal is perspective. The angle from which a photo is taken can completely change how a subject is perceived, making them seem dominant, inviting, vulnerable, or even unflattering.

Take this photo of my wife, Snappy (@gingermortician), for example. I shot this while lying on the ground and angling my camera up at her during my Steam and Shadows shoot at Spckrft Studio (@spckrft). The result? She looks powerful, larger than life—almost like a dominant figure straight out of a gothic steampunk fantasy.

A lot of people take photos without really thinking about what their chosen perspective means to the viewer. But understanding the psychology behind camera angles can completely transform your photography. In this post, I’ll break down how different angles shape perception, when to use each one, and why being intentional with perspective can make or break a shot.

What Angles Mean to the Viewer

Every camera angle tells a story. The moment you tilt your camera up or down, you’re shaping how the subject is perceived—whether you mean to or not.

• Looking Up at the Subject (Low Angle): When the camera is positioned below the subject, it makes them look larger than life. This angle gives them power, authority, and dominance. It’s why action heroes, CEOs, and even villains in movies are often shot from below—they look in control, formidable, and important.

• Looking Down at the Subject (High Angle): When the camera is positioned above the subject, it creates the opposite effect. The subject appears smaller, softer, and sometimes even vulnerable. This angle is often used for demure, innocent, or inviting portraits.

• Eye-Level Shots: A neutral perspective that puts the viewer on equal footing with the subject. This is great for natural portraits, storytelling shots, or when you want the viewer to feel connected rather than overpowered or in control.

Going back to my photo of Snappy, the low-angle perspective wasn’t just about capturing her outfit—it was about making her look commanding and powerful. Had I shot her from above, it would have completely changed the tone, making her appear more approachable rather than dominant.

When you pick up your camera, don’t just think about what’s in the frame—think about how the angle makes the viewer feel.

Matching Perspective to Intent: Choosing the Right Angle for the Mood

Photography isn’t just about capturing what’s in front of the lens—it’s about shaping the mood and message of the image. The way you frame a subject should match the intent of the shot.

• For Power and Strength: If you want your subject to appear commanding, dominant, or strong, shoot from a low angle. This works for both men and women, whether it’s a hero standing tall, a musician owning the stage, or—as in my shot of Snappy—someone exuding a gothic, steampunk authority.

• For Softness and Approachability: If the goal is to make the subject seem inviting, warm, or sensual, a high-angle shot can be flattering. This is especially common in boudoir, portrait, and fashion photography where the goal is to make the subject look more delicate, playful, or open.

• For Balance and Connection: Eye-level shots work best when you want the viewer to feel like they’re on the same level as the subject. This is great for candid, storytelling, and documentary-style photography where intimacy and relatability matter.

But here’s where things get interesting: you can break these rules—if you do it on purpose.

For example, if I shoot a man from above, it can make him seem vulnerable or introspective, which is powerful in emotional storytelling. If I shoot a woman from below, it can make her look dominant, like in my photo of Snappy—but if done carelessly, it can also emphasize unflattering angles.

The key is intentionality—knowing what kind of image you want to create and choosing the right perspective to match.

Avoiding Common Mistakes: When Perspective Works Against You

While perspective is a powerful tool, it can also backfire when used unintentionally. A poorly chosen angle can distort proportions, highlight unflattering features, or send the wrong message entirely. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

• Low Angles Gone Wrong: While shooting from below can create a strong, dominant presence, it can also emphasize double chins, nostrils, or awkward foreshortening if not done carefully. If the goal is to make someone look powerful, make sure they’re tilting their chin slightly down and engaging their posture to maintain structure.

• High Angles That Undercut Presence: While a high-angle shot can be flattering and inviting, it can also make someone look smaller or weaker than intended. If you’re photographing a man who wants to look strong, or a woman who wants to exude confidence, angling down too much might send the wrong message.

• Ignoring the Subject’s Intent: Not every person in front of the camera has the same goal. If someone wants to look sexy, a high angle can accentuate features like eyes and collarbones while keeping things soft and flattering. If they want to look powerful, a low angle is the better choice. But if you don’t take their intent into account, you might end up with a photo that doesn’t reflect what they want to express.

• Overdoing Perspective for the Sake of Drama: Sometimes, extreme angles are used just because they “look cool” without actually serving the subject. If an angle makes someone look disproportionate or distracts from the storytelling, it might be worth adjusting to keep the composition balanced.

The bottom line? Perspective should enhance the subject, not work against them. A great photographer isn’t just capturing an image—they’re making sure every shot tells the right story.

The Technical Side: Camera Settings and Setup for Perspective Shots

Nailing perspective in photography isn’t just about angles—it’s also about choosing the right settings to complement the shot. Here’s a breakdown of how I captured this image and why each choice mattered:

• Lens & Focal Length: I shot this at 50mm on my Sony A7R V. A 50mm lens provides a natural field of view without excessive distortion, making it a great choice for perspective-driven shots. Wider lenses (e.g., 24mm) can exaggerate angles even more, which can work for dramatic effect but risks unwanted distortion.

• Aperture: I used f/1.8, which creates a shallow depth of field. This isolates Snappy from the background, focusing the viewer’s attention on her while keeping the scene immersive. Wider apertures (like f/1.4) can further emphasize subject separation, while narrower apertures (like f/8) will keep more of the image sharp if you want a more detailed environment.

• Shutter Speed: At 1/250s, I ensured that the image stayed crisp and free of motion blur. This is especially important when shooting handheld or working with dramatic poses where even slight movement could introduce blur.

• Lighting Setup: This was shot at Spckrft Studio (@spckrft), where I used multiple softboxes to create directional, dramatic lighting. The placement of the lights enhances the depth and mood of the shot, adding to the dominance of the low-angle perspective.

• Shooting Position: I was laying on the ground, which gave me the extreme low-angle perspective needed to make Snappy appear larger than life. If you’re trying this technique, be prepared to physically move—sometimes the best shots require getting a little uncomfortable!

By carefully considering both technical settings and perspective, you can transform a simple portrait into something cinematic, striking, and intentional.