May 24, 20205 min read

My Top 10 Photography Perspectives by Ranna Naipaul-Colaço

Updated: May 26, 2020

I am a lifestyle photographer with a passion for capturing connections between people. I was born in the Canadian Prairies, raised on a fruit farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake and have been living in Toronto for the last 20+ years. As a mom of two kids, with an amazing husband, two cats and a puppy on the way, I take photos of everyone around me in their everyday lives. It is rare to find me without my camera, as it is an extension of my eye, and I believe the best moments are those that are captured ‘in between’.

Storytelling is at the heart of photography. Every great story is told in the unique voice of an individual, with a distinct perspective. That perspective comprises a rich, multi-dimensional tapestry that truly brings the story to life, and gives it weight and substance. Photography is no different. One’s perspective in photography is unique; it is your voice, and gives the image character, feeling, life.

There are multiple perspectives to consider in photography; I will highlight my top 10 favourites.

1) From Above - Bird’s Eye

Images taken from above offer a rare, almost majestic significance of the subject or landscape; it captures a view that we don’t normally see with our own eyes. To capture this image, you may use ladders, balconies, hilltops, roofs, or a drone. Lenses used are drones, wide angle lenses, and smartphones.

DJI Mavic Mini • 4.49mm • ISO 100 • 1/1000 sec at f2.8

DJI Mavic Mini • 4.49mm • ISO 100 • 1/640 sec at f2.8

Nikon D750 • 20mm f2.8 • ISO 800 • 1/125 sec at 2.8

iPhone 8 Plus taped to ceiling • 3.99mm • ISO 32 • 1/25 sec at f1.8

2) From Below - Sky View

Images from below - shooting for the sky - can offer a stark contrast between your subject and the vastness of the surrounding environment. These images require you to position your body to be as low to the ground as possible. For the two photos taken under the swing, I had to position myself on my back directly under the seat of the swing. For the hilltop image, I had to lie on my stomach at the bottom of the hill, to exaggerate the height of the hill. You will require a wide angle lens for this image; I used a 24-70mm set at 24mm and a 20mm prime lens; both work well and there is no fish eye distortion.

Nikon D750 • 24mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 200 • 1/2000 sec at f3.5

Nikon D750 • 24mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 800 • 1/320 at f4

Nikon D750 • 35mm f1.8 • ISO 100 • 1/1250 sec at f3.5

3) Down Low - Ground View

The beauty about capturing an image down low is that you get a foreground bokeh instead of a background bokeh, especially if you open up your lens wide. You will have to lay flat on the ground, ideally with the camera as close to the ground as possible; this can create a certain emotive intimacy with your subject. I used prime lenses for these images.

Nikon D750 • 85mm f1.4 • ISO 160 • 1/1250 sec at f2

Nikon D750 • 35mm f1.8 • ISO 400 • 1/250 sec at f2.8

Nikon D750 • 100mm f2.8 • ISO 100 • 1/500 sec at f2.8

Nikon D750 • 35mm f1.8 • ISO 640 • 1/60 sec at f1.8

4) From Afar - Scale

Images from afar create a similar effect to the images from below or sky view; your subject is contrasted with their broad surroundings, offering a context and perhaps documenting a certain insignificance. Scale has a beauty on its own; subjects look tiny but the image offers a wide array of possibilities for the viewer. Lenses should be wide angle to capture this well.

Nikon D750 • 24mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 400 • 1/500 sec at f4

Nikon D750 • 24mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 100 • 1/4000 sec at f2.8

Nikon D750 • 24mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 500 • 1/400 sec at f4

5) Up Close - Details

Images up close offer a specific glimpse of a subject that isn’t normally observed with the naked eye; a detail that is often missed. The beauty of detail is at the heart of macro photography. You will require a macro lens, or as an alternative, you may use a technique called “reverse macro freelensing”.

Nikon D750 • 100mm f2.8 Macro Lens • ISO 160 • 1/500 sec at f4

Nikon D750 • 100mm f2.8 Macro Lens • ISO 125 • 1/500 sec at f4.2

Nikon D750 • Reverse Macro Freelensing • ISO 160 • 1/125

6) From Behind - Faceless

Images taken from behind or faceless captures offer a certain anonymity of the subject, a certain mystery. This perspective offers no immediate connection with the subject because there is no eye contact. However, we are drawn into the story between the subject and their perspective; there is a mystery in understanding What are they looking at? Where are they going? It is critical that your lens is opened wide focused on the subject. Lenses with a longer focal length are often better depending on how far away you are from the subject.

Nikon D750 • 50mm 1.4. • ISO 125 • 1/2000 at f2.2

Nikon D750 • 170mm (80-200mm f2.8) • ISO 400 • 1/200 sec at f2.8

Nikon D750 • 20mm f2.8 • ISO 400 • 1/125 sec at f2.8

7) Hidden - The Voyeur

Hidden images can be provocative and raw, but are always revealing of a certain truth and intimacy. You have the opportunity to peek into a secret world; you’re on the outside looking in. Lenses should be on the wider side.

Nikon D750 • 52mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 4000 • 1/160 sec at f4.5

Nikon D750 • 20mm f2.8 • ISO 400 • 1/125 sec at f2.8

Nikon D750 • 35mm f1.8 • ISO 400 • 1/400 sec at f2

Nikon D750 • 38mm (24-70mm f2.8) • ISO 3200 • 1/30 sec at f2.8

8) Through Objects - A Filtered Reality

Images through objects can offer a distorted, yet beautiful and perplexing perspective. These images add a layer between you and the subject; there is something separating you from your subject. There is an added complexity to the image, which may be required to convey a given emotion. Lenses should be on the wider side.

Nikon D750 • 50mm f1.4 • ISO 160 • 1/160 sec at f1.8

Nikon D750 • 50mm f1.4 • ISO 160 • 1/160 sec at f1.8

Nikon D750 • 50mm f1.4 • ISO 640 • 1/160 sec at f2

9) Reflections and Mirrors - A Parallel Reality

Reflections can be whimsical, magical and sometimes distorted. This parallel reality offers a surprising and creative element to the perspective. Mirrors, puddles, windows, lens balls, and shiny surfaces all offer an opportunity to capture a reflection. Lenses should be on the wider side.

Nikon D750 • 50mm f1.4 • ISO 125 • 1/1600 sec at f2 • Lensball

Nikon D750 • 50mm f1.4 • ISO 400 • 1/160 sec at f2 • Mirror

Nikon D750 • 35mm f1.8 • ISO 125 • 1/1000 sec at f1.8 • Puddle

10) Underwater - The Sea Creature’s View

Underwater images allow you to peek into a moment you don’t normally see, often an exhilarating moment. Whether the subject is holding their breath, or the image is simply capturing an object floating or taken by the water, usually the most intriguing underwater photos are those that are split-level over/under shots. They are best taken with a lot of sun and natural light in clear and calm water. I used a GoPro with a Telesin Dome for these images.