Give Your Photographs a Cine Look With the Dutch Angle

Framing could be defined as the visual “geography” where several elements harmoniously reside in order to construct an image. Framing has more to do with cinematographic shots rather than composition.

However, there is an important element embedded in every single frame done with the dramatic Dutch angle, the diagonal horizon line.

Back in the days where I was still discovering everything in photography (very happy and fun moments of my life indeed), I was experimenting with all sort of quirky angles and points of view, and one day I heard the words “Dutch angle” and I made a little research in order to understand it, and everything changed for me.

So What Exactly Is The Dutch Angle?

The Dutch angle, which is also known as the “Dutch tilt” is a maneuver where the camera is set at a tilted angle, leaving verticals and horizontal lines angled to the sides of the frame, producing a tilted or diagonal point of view.

Regular Dutch Angle Layout

Should You Use it?

Definitely yes, but with intention, not just randomly. It is a creative solution indeed, but its use doesn't produce the desired effect when done without thinking. There is a reason why photographs use the Dutch Angle in their photographs.

This way of placing the camera allows photographers to communicate a lot of different emotions to the viewers. Some of these emotions could even reach fear, uneasiness and even drunkenness. I remember watching a movie once that made me very dizzy called “Enter the Void“, and all due to camera movements and weird shots.

How Tilted Can a Dutch Angle Get?

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

Any tilt between 5° to 90° is considered to be a Dutch Angle, however, the decision behind such tiltness has a reason as well, and it should depend on the level of drama you want to apply to a photograph.

Understanding composition requires time, but more importantly, practice. We encourage you to get away from the traditionally pure horizontal and vertical lines and experiment a bit with the Dutch Angle.

We would love to see some of your experiments as well, so you can share them with us at the forum and we'll be more than happy to take a look at them.

Further Resources

[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””] This Guide “Understanding Composition” by expert photographer Kent DuFault will give you an introduction to composition. It will show you how to spot great composition in a scene quickly, will teach you why controlling composition will improve your photographs and will ensure you start shooting more creatively
GET YOUR COPY HERE [/thrive_text_block]

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About Author

Federico has a decade of experience in documentary photography, and is a University Professor in photography and research methodology. He's a scientist studying the social uses of photography in contemporary culture who writes about photography and develops documentary projects. Other activities Federico is involved in photography are curation, critique, education, mentoring, outreach and reviews. Get to know him better here.

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