How do you take "ground level" shots
Tue 2009/11/24 19:56 JST
..floor shots, earth shots, shots that require your camera to be placed on the ground.
This is when your subject, a figure to be exact, is on the ground (like the Mecha Musume Figurine pictured)
So how do SLR users take these shots?
Do you lie down on the ground? place the camera low with a tripod or so?
Just curiosity ~Since i "might" (or maybe just dreaming..) use an SLR camera in some future time .. if ever~ xD
With a point & shoot, one would usually have an idea how the shot would look like through the LCD screen.. that's how i did my low shots. and it was also a matter of luck.. sometimes it rocks, sometimes it sucks~
I believe with an SLR, that's not how it would go since you'd have to asses the image with the viewfinder.
I use a dslr for my photography and I have no problem taking pictures at ground level (which I do a lot of). I take photo's like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquilla429/4086162868/sizes/o/in/set-72157622719237923/ a lot.
I shoot sony and I have n a350 dslr, I went to my local camera specialists (he's an independent,. not a Jessops robot) and we discussed my photography style and history, my skill level and what I need out of a dslr. He recommended the sony a350 because of multiple features.
It's created with Konica/Minolta technology behind it and a lot of old minolta lenses will work with the sony, so even though their new to the market you still have a large lens choice.
It has built in image stabilisation. Most dslr build the stabilisation into the camera lens, not the body. Because the Sony is stabilised in the body, I always have stabilised images, no matter what lens I use. It does work very well.
It has a live view lcd screen. This was the selling point. Live view is when you see the picture you're taking on the screen at the back, like on most digital compacts. The sony a350 has good live view and also, the screen is on a pivoting frame, so you can see the screen and what you are shooting from any angle.
I love my sony a350 and I'm having great fun and great results with it. The tilting live view is great because it means instead of laying down with my eye to a view finder and my chin in the mud, I can place the camera on the floor and place the lcd screen so I can see it from above. I then crouch down, look at the screen then take a picture. No fuss, no mess, great images.
I'm looking at getting a a330 from Sony. Would the a350 be a better choice? I'm going with Sony because I'm replacing a Minolta Maxim 7000 and want to keep the lenses. (I imagine the lenses will work with either camera)
The a330 is about $550.00 CDN or so before tax (14%) around here abouts at the moment. (after xmas sales, however...)
Get a plastic bag on the supermarket. Put the plastic on the ground. Get the SLR, put it on the ground. Put the viewer on LCD and adjust. Get the photo.
If you fear some damage on your camera, try put an old t-shirt (not necessary a t-shirt, a *pantsu* or a sock) under it.
People who have seen me taking photos will think that I love the smell of ground. Hmm.. maybe I do...
An alpha300 user
It comes with a liveview.
Anyway, a mat and some small pillow/cusion would do the trick.
Its very less likely you will be using a long range zoom lens for figure photoshoot. But in case you do (for the bokeh), you can rest the lens on the pillow (heavy lens), while you lie down on the mat
I would suggest proning down since its the best way to make sure your pictures come out well. Of course you must be willing to get youself dirty ^^
Most DSLRs come with some form of live-view these days which should make taking ground level shots easier...
...I, however, am a neo-luddite (read: never bothered working out how to use it) and can often be found lying on the ground in some exceptionally uncomfortable position taking photos. If it's cool I'll often wear my driving jacket (leather) simply because it's more comfortable and tough when lying in the dirt.
One of the things I'm saving for at the moment is a medium-format camera with a waist-level finder to help with this sort of shot.
Either you elevate your figure, or like the others have said, to get on the ground. ^^;
Lies! D5000 user!
I think having a small head helps you get closer to the floor. I don't like proning though, it's actually harder to get up from a prone position than a sideways lying position - http://flashtrigger.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/13-11.jpg?w=524&h=393 (taken from http://flashtrigger.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/lots-of-walking-and-back-of-neck-charred/)
I just lie down on the ground and take the shot, a photographer shouldn't worry about getting down and dirty to get a good shot. Even though my new dslr have liveview (my old one doesn't), I still prefer using the viewfinder.
I get on the ground whenever I take my Dollfie Dream outside for photo session. For the sake of good shot, I mind getting dirty.
Dead man's crawl for photoshoots! However, i have seen some photographers dress in full camping/armor attire!
Nendo: "Get down, soldier! And give me ten (shots)!!"
If its Sony's or Nikon's D5000 or any camera with Vari-angle Live view features, you can just live view it from a low angle.
But for me, because im using a D70, without Liveview or any fancy stuff, Lying down on the floor is a must... Unless you low angle not looking into your viewfinder...
if you have money to throw at equipment, you can get a tripod that will go pretty dang low. i treated myself to a manfrotto 190xprob, which gets down to 8.5cm ^^
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/13145?livid=68&lsf=68&child=2
anything lower and well... might as well just place your camera on the ground, no? ^^
Most DSLRs come with an active live view nowadays. In addition, the Sony ones have an adjustable LCD screen that you can tilt up or down. VERY useful for figure photographers.
If you are using auto focusing, some cameras (like the Canon, cannot work in live mode. So what I do is compose the shot in live, then turn off live and take the snap. You have to make sure you have a steady hand so that the composition doesn't shift when turning off live.
Down on the ground 4 the low angle or ground shots I use the ARCA Swiss monoball off the tripod - raises center of my lens about 20cm above ground level - allows for tilting down of lens and gives good stability.