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Photographic Syntax - Perspective - Camera view point

Camera view point, refers to the direction the camera points at the subject. While this might seem quite simple and straight forward in that the photographer points the camera at the subject, it has a considerable bearing on how the subject will look in the photograph. As the visual angles and position of the vanishing point alter when the camera position is moved, or a different focal length lens is used, it is also linked to perspective.

The Standard Approach

In general terms, the standard photographic view point is at eye level of an adult human standing upright and pointing the camera directly at the subject and using a standard lens.

This provides an expected but unexceptional view of the scene being photographed. Images taken from this position present a straight forward, unassuming representation of the subject, and we might tend to read them as though the camera was involved as an observer but not necessarily the photographer.

New Zealand artist Bill Hamond among the Rata forest at night Auckland Islands 1989

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