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Photo Tips & Techniques

Simply Squat by Russ Burden Russ Burden provides a simple tip that you might not ordinarily think of to dramatically improve your composition. Article rating: 9.13

There are many factors that contribute to the success of an image. If you’re a regular reader of this Tips and Techniques section of Take Great Pictures, you know about my passion to capture subjects in great light. If you’ve been with me on any of my photo tours, you’ve heard me say, “It’s all about the light” OR  “I’d rather photograph a mundane subject in great light than a great subject in mundane light.” But light isn’t the only factor that can make or break an image. Numerous times I’ve mentioned the importance of composition, subject choice, mergers, distractions, etc. High on this list is also the important aspect of how the background impacts an image.

Busy backgrounds, ones that are too dark or too light, those that confuse the subject, ones that have poor color, etc., negatively effect the success of a photograph. Depending on the size of the subject, the light, and how far away the subject resides from a background all  determine whether it can be controlled. Darkening a bright one, throwing it out of focus with  the creative use of a long lens and narrow depth of field, and placing something behind the subject that complements it, are ways to make the background harmonize with the subject. Another great way to control it, and the focus of this article, is to simply lower your angle to try to get rid of any distractions. In other words, “Simply Squat.”  This is something not many photographers do so it helps make your images unique. (See the article entitled “Belly Shots” in the archives of TGP.) The other way it helps is when you shoot from a low angle, whatever is directly behind the subject when shooting down onto it is no longer in the image. More often than not, background elements are farther away from the subject when shot from a low angle which results in a background that is out of focus, hence less distracting.

In the two pairs of images that accompany this article, the first is taken from a full upright position shooting down onto the subject. The results is a background that falls in the line of sight of the photographer and merges with the subject. In the first shot of the mountain goat the color of the rocks is similar in tone to its fur, its shadow becomes a dark void, and the angle prevents the animal from looking majestic.  In the second image shot from the identical spot but from a squatting position, the photo shows a sense of place, the goat assumes higher status, and color is added. In the comparison shots of the wood ducks, I got really low and was laying down on the grass to make the second image. The differences are obvious and the second image is far superior.

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.

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