Shooting from above your subjects can give you a fresh perspective of your world, no matter how limited the scenery below. Whether you’re shooting with a phone, a DSLR, or a drone, there’s so much detail to be seen from the top down.
One reason I love photographing children from above is that it’s such a natural, familiar point of view for a parent with little ones. Preserving that perspective in an image lets me hold on to my kids’ fleeting early years, when I could hold them close and keep them safe. Another reason to love the top-down point of view: It transforms, even hides, the clutter to create a clean, simple frame.
My love for that overhead point of view has led to a passion for shooting aerial photography with a drone. There’s something about the bird’s-eye view that reinforces the impact and beauty of nature, the art of infrastructures and architecture, and the incredible scale of our beautiful Earth. I’d like to share some of the techniques I’ve acquired since my first overhead shoots.
Composition.
The principles of composition are the same as with other points of view. The use of layering, the rule of thirds, the framing, and the incorporation of leading lines can all enhance the photograph, perhaps even more so: As the faces of the living subjects aren’t necessarily visible to tell the story, you have to tell it with canny composition.
You’ll want to avoid cropping out parts of the subjects’ limbs from the frame, so use a wide-angle lens and get up high enough to include everything necessary. I’ll often stand on a barstool, ladder, or table to get high enough above my subject. To get even more height, I’ll hold my camera over my head.
My camera’s live view and a tilting LCD screen help me see the framing. If your camera lacks these features, you can always hold the camera overhead and blindly take lots of photos and hope for the best!
When I’m flying my drone, I even more actively look for lines, patterns, shapes, and framing to enhance my compositions, because it can be difficult to get depth of field from high overhead with a drone. I like to find ways to use layering in my drone photos by shooting above or through trees or buildings to add interest and depth.
Lighting.
Getting direct backlighting with your camera when shooting from a top-down point of view is unlikely, but it’s still important to consider the direction of the light source relative to your subject or scene.
Observe where the shadows are falling on your subject as you shoot. Indoors, I often shoot near a window with the light falling on my subject from the side to get directional light — where the light enters one side of the frame and falls off into shadow on the other. Shooting with the light coming from above or below your subject will give you a moodier image.
With top-down photography, it’s really fun to play with shadows. Be mindful of the time of day you’re shooting. If you want a long shadow falling through your frame, aim for early or late in the day. If you want shorter shadows, aim for mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
5 Tips for photos from above:
1. Choose a wide-angle lens to get everything in the frame.
2. Get up high. Use a stool, ladder, or drone to get high enough to tell the full story.
3. Close down your aperture to maintain detail, if that’s what you desire.
4. Use live view and a tilting screen so you can hold the camera even higher above your head.
5. Add depth by layering, especially when shooting top down with a drone.
Self-portraits from above.
I’m often asked how I achieve self-portraits from above with my mirrorless camera. If my husband is available, I might hand him the camera after I’ve set up the shot. If not, I’ll use a tripod and boom arm. I’ll have the camera continuously shoot every few seconds for a few minutes while I play or interact with my children to get a variety of shots.
In a pinch, I’ve used my iPhone, a Bluetooth remote, and a gooseneck phone holder to snap a photo from above.
Try this tutorial: How to create artistic selfies from above using your smartphone
Getting started in aerial photography.
Are you interested in getting a drone but are unsure where to start? Do some research on your municipality’s statutes on flying drones and what permits or licenses may be required.
How to buy a drone.
Once you’re ready to go shopping, make a list of the features and specifications that are important to you, probably beginning with a price range. If you’re planning to photograph for clients, consider the pro quality of the camera’s functions. If you’re planning to use your drone when you travel, consider the size, weight, and battery life. If you’re a hobbyist, you’ll probably be willing to sacrifice some of these features to minimize the cost, at least while you gain skill.
What to know.
Drone in hand, there are many things to consider when selecting a location suitable for your first forays. To begin, you’ll need to make sure it’s legal to fly your drone there. There are many apps and websites where you can input a location to find out. Pre-scout locations on the Google Earth or Street websites — instant overview previews. Then too, it’s fun to just let the drone fly and see what you discover.
Jamie’s tools for photos from above:
Cameras: Sony α7 III with Sigma MC-11 Lens Mount Converter for Canon lenses, iPhone 11 Pro.
Lenses: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II, Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM (telephoto zoom lens), Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art.
Gear: Manfrotto Element MII Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head, Glide Gear OH 50 Camera Boom, Gooseneck Phone Holder Table Clip, CamKix Camera Shutter Remote Control for iPhone.
Drones: DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone with Polar Pro filters, DJI Mavic Air drone with Polar Pro filters.
Learn more from Jamie in a new Click Photo School breakout called “Ultimate Summer Lifestyle Photography: In Air, On Land and Underwater.”
Photos by Jamie Eilts
This article first appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of Click Magazine. Get your issue from the Click & Co. Store, or subscribe so you never miss an issue.
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