13
Shoot at a slant

More often than not you will choose to shoot portraits from a level position, but there are times when you might want to break the rules to add an extra dimension to your image. One interesting technique is to shoot the subject with the camera tilted at an angle. Far from throwing the picture off-balance, this is actually a very good way to introduce extra dynamism and energy into what could otherwise be a competent but rather ordinary portrait.

Lifestyle and contemporary photographers use this technique quite regularly, in particular when shooting weddings or informal portraiture. It can work particularly well if you are trying to capture the cheekiness and insouciance of lively children. However, be discriminating about when you use the technique; if too many of your images display these jaunty angles, the effect will soon appear tired and overused.

RUBY

Shooting with the camera at an angle works for all sorts of portraits, from full-length body shots to tight crops. For the effect to work well, use a background that makes it apparent that the image has been shot at a tilt. Here, the wooden window blinds, which are out of focus but still recognizable behind the subject, make a perfect background. The diagonal lines make the tilt technique obvious, and the angled slats lead the eye back towards the lively expression on the girl’s face.

Canon EOS-1D, 70–200mm at 200mm, 1/600 sec at f/5, ISO 400.