Angles in Photography

How Tilted Frames and Bold Crops Breathe New Life into the Familiar

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Studying Russian photographer Alexander Rodchenko can teach you about shadow, light, geometry, color, and more.

Many other photographers followed after I started the sign thing using mid-century motels in 2004. I had been selling a lot in the past, but not so much anymore.

There are no tilts here…boring by and my old standards of shooting straight-on. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

After looking in galleries, stores, restaurants, and museums, I found that I had always shot the signs straight on while newer photographers used the same signs but tilted them.

Geeze, I was out of touch. Now, I tilt them and zoom in like Rodchenko and the photographers whose work on mid-century signage is all over Southern California.

Ahhh…finally I learn from Rodchenko tilt your camera and zoom in! Photos by Matthew Bamberg