Low Angle Photography for Wildlife, Why Perspective Matters

In this video, we take a look at low-angle photography with some examples of sets ups that I use. I include a few of my images to help demonstrate why low-angle work can be appealing and what some of the advantages are.
Not discussed was the blue mat, any yoga mat will do, many are waterproof and work great in the mud. I actually use an ultra-light and ultra-thin mat not shown, but I will link and I like it because it is only 1mm thick.
Prints available here: www.etsy.com/shop/SKeysImages or on my website skeysimages.com
Products shown: (all are affiliate links, these will not cost you more but I get a small and I mean VERY small commission from the sales)
Blanket Throw: bhpho.to/30JBNrk
Seat/Pillow: amzn.to/3nCLU9N (this one is a no-brainer)
Mini Tripod: amzn.to/30HajCJ
Movo side-mount: amzn.to/3r0AdMp (not this side mount is about 10" high which is not my fave height for low angle
Camo yoga mat (not shown): amzn.to/3x922mu

[@mickmckean7378]

Nothing beats getting down low on the ground or across the water surface for bird photography Scott. Good information, I must make myself a ground pod or get a bean bag.

[@WildlifeInspired]

thanks Mick!

[@jeannetteburch9352]

Sometimes I need to be reminded of tips like this. Thank you so much! Love your content

[@carlhouck4387]

Arguably the most informative channel pertaining to wildlife photography out there. Awesome presentation style and approach!

[@WildlifeInspired]

wow thanks..... i try to be a little more practical glad you like it.

[@anaphylaxis2548]

Thank you! I always know that I'm going to get some useful information from you. Currently making my own DIY ground pod.

[@bobdalton2062]

I found this very helpful and informative. I stumbled upon the concept on my own but will do much better with it now that you’ve pointed out what can be done and how to do it. Thank you!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@garrettyarter9324]

There’s great stuff that I had to learn on my own over the course of about 6 months. This video could give a lot of beginners a leg up from the get go.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Garrett

[@kcballantyne]

Great video, Scott. I really liked the graph!

[@WildlifeInspired]

simple yet effective i think.... i hope lol thanks!

[@rinohals]

Great video. Lots of useful tips!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Appreciate that

[@jonraddon5379]

I took your advice and really got down low. It's really quite painful lol, but you're right, the result is amazing!

[@WildlifeInspired]

as long as you got back UP! lol glad you got good results!

[@chrisjohn2415]

Great explanation and graphs.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@luciegagnon1238]

A very informative video, Scott. The examples and graphics were very useful. I also really like your laidback attitude. Thank you!

[@WildlifeInspired]

I got laid back covered lol

[@luciegagnon1238]

@@WildlifeInspired :-))

[@ashfield001]

Thanks Scott for sharing the info on this video. Very practical and helpful. I learnt I could go lower still. Cheers 🙏🏻

[@WildlifeInspired]

you know you are low enough when you are scooping water out of the hood

[@ashfield001]

@@WildlifeInspired 😆😆😆

[@kiranpanchal1774]

Great video. Got a completely new perspective on bird photography!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@PhillipJ]

Great video, many useful tip s that you recommended and that I have been thinking about in some form. 👍 My main issue is finding subject matter!!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@lisabirdluvr9742]

Awesome episode Scott😄😄

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Lisa

[@keithdraycott]

Getting down low certainly brings a fresh perspective to bird photography and does ensure that your subject really "pops" in front of the out-of-focus background. Speaking as a Floridian however, please ensure your own safety and wellbeing are the top priorities when getting low to the waters edge. There are plenty of things down there that could just ruin your whole day 🐊🐊🐊. Probably not something to worry about for more northerly locations, but if you find yourself down south....... just something to be aware of.

[@sanjaypandey001]

Awesome👏

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thank you sir

[@jmorgado4126]

Great Video! The Portuguese Barcelos Rooster caught me off guard! I hope you enjoyed Portugal when you were here!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you caught it!! My sons were high level soccer players and we travelled to Portugal a couple times for a huge international tournament. They got to play against some top youth clubs (Sporting, AC Milan) and ill proudly say, they held their own!

[@guyjackson4143]

The problem I've had with ground level is the fore ground. To get the subject in focus the fore ground blurs. With water and reflection that's what I want but with grass or other debris I want as much as possible out of the frame. Most places I do low level is thick swamp type areas. I use a homemade ground pod out of a 10 inch skillet. 5$ and change for all the parts vs 100$ for a plastic bowl type.

[@seanrooney6486]

Excellent video and channel 👌

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thank you so much 👍

[@denischasse3567]

50% wild life photo success! Merci mon ami 🎥🎥🎥

[@Tirelirelou]

oui ça aide mais ça ne fait pas toujours naturel !😉

[@GiuseppeGessa]

Good and interesting video. In general I tend to stay at the same level of animals' eyes, when it's possible. About the mini tripod I'm absolutely agree with you, it's really useful.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I love that little mini tripod, I actually got a little arca phone holder so when I need to record iphone video (i do a lot on IG) I find it super helpful!

[@AndyMillerPhotoUK]

While I like the use of a frying pan -- try a putting a small head/gimbal on a panning plate (my most useful tool sourced from B+H decades ago) or Ground Pod - a frisbee with a 3/8th bolt in the middle. Or bean bags or cushion-- which are by far the best of all. Note that there are "surface" effects and more to block/distract as you get and shoot too closer to the surface of water, sand, ice, grass etc.. Just note the vast no of insects at ground level - vs- up a few feet.

[@mickbear413]

Awesome video. The only thing is, is if I was to get down that low, at my age, I would never get up 😊

[@WildlifeInspired]

lol

[@maldeep]

Awesome video and very well explained concepts. Putting those links to purchase is super helpful Scott. I think your Movo Sidemount and Mini tripod links are same.

[@WildlifeInspired]

ill fix that thanks!

[@MorningCoffeeDaily]

Seriously that you bought a Barcelos Rooster 3:38 from Portugal!!??? ahahaha omg that's priceless!!!

[@WildlifeInspired]

damn right I did and proud of it!

[@MorningCoffeeDaily]

@@WildlifeInspired roots in Portugal?? That's super man! Im from Porto, in the north.

[@fasuego]

wonderful video

[@WildlifeInspired]

Many thanks

[@frank26080115]

Hey it's my first time viewing your channel, and I immediately noticed that your photo is on the intro screen to Topaz. Great photo!

[@WildlifeInspired]

thanks!

[@timseward19]

Excellent, well presented and thought out, as usual. Alas, due to physical problems, I can no longer get down low and get those great shots. ever thought of a short vlog for physically challenged old farts like myself? lol, "how to achieve a good shot when your physically challenged". Keep up the great job, as I have said in the past, effort shows!!!

[@WildlifeInspired]

thats a good topic. ill have to give it some thought....

[@brianmurphy2932]

Great video, I learned some new things. What do use when the ground is muddy and you want to lay low but keep dry?

[@WildlifeInspired]

Neoprene yoga mat

[@pedromartins8411]

I loved the Barcelos rooster ;)

[@WildlifeInspired]

From Portugal!

[@TGP2033]

Do you have another side mount gimbal recommendation? Also, do you have a recommended tutorial on cleaning up the water reflection? Thanks for a great informative presentation on this. Time to suck it up and get dirty.....

[@WildlifeInspired]

I did a video on gimbal heads and that might help a little? as for editing videos, the vast majority of that i do on my patreon site. Its a subscription but I am confident that it is the best 8 dollars a month you will spend on improving wildlife photography. I condense it all down to one spot and focus a lot of editing specifically for wildlife www.patreon.com/wildlifeinspired

[@roberthana8800]

In Florida you have to be careful laying down near the water lol

[@WildlifeInspired]

No doubt! Made that mistake!

[@CraigPifer]

Unfortunately I find myself shooting at the local wildlife refuges and there is no flat area level with the water, at least not that is currently accessible. I can still try to get as low as possible, but I can't get the nice background. I suppose I need to find somewhere else to shoot, but seems that the refuges are where the variety is.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Refuges are enticing because they are often posted regularly on Ebird with large numbers and even rarities (due to massive amounts of people being there to report them) I used to go regularly when I started but have pretty much abandoned them over the years for the reasons you mentioned. Im not against going, but I find it more of a "birding" destination.

[@christineeagleson4447]

If you're on a hillside and using low angle photography, is it better to shoot up or down the hill?

[@WildlifeInspired]

flat is always better lol it really depends shooting "uphill" will have you including the sky, if there is beauty in that sky, it can work but often exposure can be really tough!

[@19Photographer76]

What's your water (in the water) set-up?

[@WildlifeInspired]

wet or dry suit and depends on place... Tripod, mini float, or full float blind. these are DYI and I have more details on these set up for my patrons, www.patreon.com/wildlifeinspired

[@luciegagnon1238]

Scott, i live in Canada. Would you have a link I could use for Amazon Canada so that you get that small commission?

[@WildlifeInspired]

Ill look into that, I had not considered that before

[@luciegagnon1238]

@@WildlifeInspired it could be good for you, a way to make LOTS of Cdn pennies!!! ; -) there are certainly quite e few Canadians who subscribe to your channel.

[@tucompaivan]

Suscribed

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@dennisharris144]

Great video but I am getting old and my shoulders will need a break after awhile.

[@daviddowling9830]

If your not uncomfortable taking the shot your doing it wrong.

[@WildlifeInspired]

some truth in that