Compositions of Photography: Bird's Eye Point Of View

Bird's Eye POV

A bird's eye point of view is when you are looking down from above, like what a bird would see looking down below at the ground. It communicates the power the photographer has over the subject.

(x)

Even though there is no such subject in this shot, and it more focuses on the architecture itself, the dynamic shown down the stairs and down the middle of the staircase gives depth to the shot. The colours of the stairs also combine to give the depth to the shot, as it gets darker the further down you go. 

(x)

Similar to the first picture, this shot doesn't demonstrate as much power over the subject, however the height difference made clear by the POV makes the subject appear inquisitive and curious about what's above. The brighter colours in the shot also give the appearance of a more free and relaxing shot, compared to those of a darker colouring.

(x)

In this shot, the concept of power over the subject in the form of the bird's eye point of view is clearly demonstrated. Combined with the positioning of the subject and the colouring of the shot. It makes the subject seem small and insignificant but one would know this is not the case if the subject is shown on a different angle.   

- Robert Doisneau

This shot conveys a certain emotion within itself. Although the subject is shown as small and insignificant, there is still an air of grace and acceptance about it, like the subject has accepted their position and isn't reflecting on a loss of power but more of a vision. The elegant poise in which the subject holds herself demonstrates the ability of reflection and the shot as a whole seems to give off tones of accepting a situation, whether the power is in your hands or someone else's.