Learn how to get the best bug’s eye view images.

How do you take photos from a bug’s eye view?

Start by putting your camera very low to or on the ground. Shoot directly across the ground or tilt your camera up a bit and look up at your subject. If you have a flip out screen this makes it a bit easier to see what you’re shooting when you have your camera on the ground. It can also help you personally be more comfortable if you have a pair of knee pads or a mat of some sort to sit, kneel or lay on.

What other options are there for creating low perspective images?

The ground isn’t your only option when creating bugs eye view images. You can set your camera down on the surface your subject is sitting on as well. Think about even taking your camera a bit below the edge of a table with your subject sitting on the table. Pointing your camera straight up will also create some interesting perspectives.

How do I get the best bugs eye view images?

Use the same guidelines you do for your regular images. Pay attention to your foreground and background. Move yourself or your camera around for the best perspective and shot. Make sure you don’t have any distracting elements in or around your subject.

What subjects are good to use when photographing from a bug’s eye view?

Really nothing is off limits when shooting from a low perspective, use your imagination. Children and animals are always good subjects to use this technique on and it’s fun to get down on their level and create a little bit different perspective. Getting on their level also helps create a connection with them you don’t have when you’re standing above them.

Inside BootCamp Magazine

Featured Artist

Let’s take a look at this month’s magazine. Here’s our featured artist of the month, Erez Shilat, from Israel.

For his featured image, he captured this early morning at the beach on a weekend when it was announce that we are not allowed to go out there anymore. Hoping that this pandemic will get into some control soon.

Comment: Laura Griffiths – “It’s always interesting to see how the angle from which we shoot varies the outcome so much. Lovely and unusual shot of a beach scene Erez.”

Cover Image

This month’s featured magazine cover image was taken by Sig Rannem from Canada. His contribution to this month’s challenge is an action image and was shot by the “snow bug”! The cross-country skier in the picture is stepping out of the track to avoid crashing into the camera. They have had a good ski season there in South Central Ontario (north of Toronto), but all good things must come to an end. It sure was fun while it lasted! The image was cropped quite a bit, but since it was shot with a 42 mp camera, Sig thought the resolution was still quite good.

Active Members

Let’s take a look at how our BootCamp members get on their feet to make their images on a bug’s eye view.

Let’s start with Derryl Friesen from the Thailand. This is a curious young cow grazing in lush grass in a rural Thai village and can’t seem to get close enough to the glass of his wide angle lens. Derryl thought the cow found her reflection in the lens quite mesmerizing! Derryl simply loves the goofy distorted angle of her head, her giant wet black nose, her long ears, tack sharp whiskers and the single piece of grass sticking out of her mouth. She never ceases to make him smile on a bad day. (And we all need some smiles today!)

Comment: Janette Planck – “I had to giggle when I saw your image Derryl. The barrel distortion provides such an interesting and humorous angle of the cow. Love it!”

Next we have Brenda Potts from the USA. She shot this image at the Chihuly Glass Garden in Seattle. The raised glass floor provided a great opportunity to shoot from floor level, although she wishes she would have been able to sneak in a little closer. Brenda slightly increased the exposure and vibrancy in Lightroom.

Next we have Andrew Robinson from Australia. This is an image of the real Sydney Luna Park Face.

Comment: Richard Hutson – “Andrew, I think I like this shot better than the one at a distance … more like a bug’s eye would see! You also have captured nice detail throughout the frame.”

Then we have Nick Ellis from the Australia. Reflections – a puddle on his driveway after all the rain, taken by resting his camera was on the ground.

And last but not least, is this image from Ruth Lopez who lives in the USA. These intrepid souls were washing the top of the Gardens by the Bay when she visited Singapore many years ago. While there are many natural wonders to see inside the world’s largest climate controlled greenhouse, she was in awe of these window washers as they went about their task. How does one wash the back of a giant glass camel? Very carefully! This shot was taken pointing up while standing just far enough away to avoid getting misted by the spray. Greatly cropped then cleaned up with Photshop and Topaz Denoise.

Comment: Christian Piron – “Ruth, very nice picture. I like to see that silhouette with the (sun)light as backlight: 2 challenges in one shot :-)) Beautiful shades of blue. Good composition. Well done.”

These images are some of the awesome shots that our members have created. You can also share your images by joining and can count on the community to help and guide you along the way. If you are not yet a member of this awesome family this is the best time to be one. You can check out the complete BootCamp Magazine and see for yourself!

Summary

• Get low, get down on the ground to create a different and unique perspective of your subject.
• Set your camera on the same surface as your subject, tilt your camera up to capture a different look.
• Pay attention to your foreground and background, move around to get the best shot.
• Photographing children and animals from a low point of view helps the viewer connect with your subject.

Related Articles

Did you enjoy this article? Check out these related articles, too:

• Telling a Story Through An Image Using Patterns
  Using patterns to draw your viewer’s attention to you artistic images.
• Photography, Meet Simplicity
  Practice minimalism to develop your artistic eye.
• Leading Viewers On A Journey Through An Image!
  A creative way to use leading lines to make your images more exciting and meaningful.

Do This Now

Please leave me a comment below – I’d love to know what you think. Brent