Top Down (Bird's Eye)

Top-Down photography, often referred to as "Bird's Eye" photography, is the special technique of capturing photographs from an elevated location in which the viewer apears significantly higher than the subject. This approach got its name because photographs taken in this way generally look as though they are from the point-of-view of a bird flying over the subject.

Importance. Bird's eye photography is typically used to show a very large landscape or subject that is rarely seen from an aerial angle. This type of photograph can inspire the viewer seeing as it provides a stunning view of our surroundings that differs from that from which we usually see things. Such photographs, if taken from a high enough distance, can also be used to advance geographical awareness and/or in the creating of topographical maps.

Method. More often than not, bird's eye photographs are taken from airplanes or helicopters because they provide exceptional views of the earth below them. However, photos are taken on numerous occasions from the tops of tall buildings, mountains, canyon cliffs, and even waterfalls. For example, The Lincoln Memorial was taken from the Washington Monument. Furthermore, aerial photographs can be taken in special circumstances such as skydiving, parasailing, or hang gliding, but these scenarios are far less common. As far as camera mounting goes, some photographers may choose to fix their cameras to a stable structure, while others may decide to take hand-held pictures.