Top-Down (Bird's Eye View) Photography

Siena from the Top of the Tower. Taken in Siena, Italy. June 15, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500. 

def: top down photos are taken from a view point that is higher than normal. Bird’s eye photos are taken from an extremely high aerial viewpoint, like that of a bird (top right picture of the lake is an excellent example taken from a plane).


Techniques:
- Top down photography can give a fresh point of view to pictures, making them more creative.
- Put your camera in a new intriguing viewpoint for a new photo, no gadgets needed.
- Look for a high point, such as balconies, trees, stairs etc. and see how much more interesting a scene becomes from above. Confusion can become patterns and chaos can become interesting from a fresh viewpoint.
- Even the simplest trick of bringing a step ladder with you places can help get a fresh perspective.
- The “Hail Mary” shot also helps when you hold your camera above a crowd, but it relies of feeling and adjustments for a good picture. 
- Birds Eye photos are highly creative images because from such a high vantage point objects become more abstract. This is often used to make blueprints, floor plans and maps. Birds eye means an aerial viewpoint from a great height.

Lake Hartwell from a Small Plane. Taken in Hartwell, Georgia. June 11, 2010. Nikon Coolpix P500.

View from the top of St. Peter’s Basilica. Vatican City. June 3, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.

View from the Acropolis. Athens, Greece. June 20, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.

Florence Duomo View. Florence, Italy. June 10, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.

Citations:

Richardson, J. (2011 March 9). A Point of View. Retrieved from http:// photography.nationalgeographic. com/photography/photo-tips/cre- ative-point-of-views-richardson/
50 Brilliant Birds Eye Photos. Retrieved from http://www.noupe. com/inspiration/50-brilliant-birds- eye-photos.html