Chapter 3. Viewing Angle

Revision 1.0 2007. Copyright by Tiono
Email: photoguide@tiono.com


 

 

 

Most of the people who took photograph of their miniature-models will just snap from the position which their eyes saw. They do not think much about the composition.
It seems as okey, but actually our eyes see differently than the camera. Remember that our eyes use single lens with single focal length. It can't zoom, it can not vary the focal length, while the camera can (unless if you're using a pocket camera with single focal, which is a rarity nowaday). So the camera is able to provide various viewing angle. Sometimes at the position which our eyes can't see.

Now let's try to explore what differences that the viewing angle can make.

 

 

The above photographs were taken with the same camera, but with two different focal length. The left picture was taken using wide angle lens, the camera close to the subject. While the right picture was taken using a mid-tele lens, the camera was positioned farther away from the subject to maintain the same subject's size on the image.
The viewing angle of a wide angle lens (focal length of 35 mm or less, in 135 SLR format) is wide enough, and it will create a perspective distortion; see the size difference of the plane's left and right wing, in the photograph, its right wing seems as much larger than the left one, unproportional. And also note the slanting of the main wing and horizontal stabiliser, which angled outward.
The viewing angle of a long focal lens or tele (focal length of 80 mm or more, in 135 SLR format) is narrower, as demonstrated on the photograph (above right). In the image created with this long focal length, everything looks proportional. The left and right wing looks almost at the same size, and the stabiliser does not angled outward.
So the long focal length will give a proportional look. But in reality, the perspective of a wide angle lens may give an impressive image, a punching look which make people stare at it. You can use this characteristic to your advantage.

Camera positions

Now we will see where to position the camera.
Generally, there are several popular positions which will generate certain impression out of the miniature-models.

Ground position



Ground position is where the camera lay flat to the model's "ground". This kind of position is useful in creating a side-view or front/rear view. The focal length is usually long, avoid using a wide angle lens for a ground position, except in the corner, such as shown on the photo below.
A ground view from the corner combined with a wide-angle lens will emphasise the perspective angle, creating a impressive view.
While the same ground-corner view created using a lens with long focal length, will give a "flat" view (see the lower photograph).

Of course there is nothing wrong with both pictures, it is just a matter of preference: what kind of "look" you want to achieve.
But again, take note, that the utilisation of wide-angle at ground position will be nice only for a corner view.


 

 



Elevated position

In the elevated position, the camera is positioned higher than the subject. This method is mostly useful for corner view. And sometimes is taken using wide-angle lens to emphasise the perspective. See photograph on the left.
With the elevated position, you may use any focal length, whether a wide angle or tele. But if you are using a wide angle lens, pay attention to the distortion.
There are certain position which will generate undesirable distortion. For example:
Using a wide angle lens at the elevated position for side-view, will create undesirable distortion. Look at the picture on the left: this side view of a 1/35 scale Sd.Kfz.7 was shot using a wide angle lens at elevated position. The truck became bulbous in the middle, creating a distorted view. An effect which is usually associated with curved mirror.
So avoid this from happening, unless you really want that effect.

 

 

 

Long miniature-model
Photographing a long miniature-model can be tricky. It pose no problem with side-view, but may need some caution when taking picture from the corner.
Taking picture of a long miniature using a wide angle lens from the corner, will generate a model with "compressed tail": the farthest portion of the miniature will be much smaller than the nearest, grossly unproportional. This kind of image may give the impression of an ultra long vehicle, longer than it supposed to be. (See the picture below, left side)
In this situation, longer focal length is preferable. By using a long focal length (mid-tele), the rear portion of the vehicle will have a better proportion. (See the picture below right)
But there is a catch: the longer the focal length of the lens, the flatter the result would be. Thus the vehicle will look shorter than it supposed to be. Therefore if you want to portray a "correct" impression, then you have to adjust the focal length so that the image is satisfactorily proportional. There is no guideline about which focal length is suitable, since it depends on the camera position and angle. So start with a mid-tele, then adjust forward.

 

 


The picture below is another example of a long miniature-model, in this case: a set of train locomotive and its carriages, the Bavarian S3/6 in HO (1/87) scale. This photo was shot using a medium-tele lens, creating a flatter image. The camera was ground-positioned, with corner viewing angle.