A Step in the right Direction

[nightshade]

In the old days I had taken a leaf from the book of Vic Blackman,and started to carry a 2-step aluminiumhop-up with me.I screwed 3inch discs to the feet so it would be more stable on soft ground and it really changed the way I could approach a shot,does anyone use a step-up or some other way of getting a different angle on that shot?

[Alan]

I haven't used a ladder/step-up as such, I have climbed trees to get a different angle though. Many landscape photographers do carry stepladders in the boot of the car when out. I does work well especially with a wide angle lens, and when you want to get above foliage and similar. It also reduce the angle to the ground so you get a little bit better depth of field as the camera is pointing down more. It's a similar technique that large format photographers use when they tilt the front and back plates to increase dof/focus or rather alter the planes.

[eeyore]

I generally lie on the ground on my back for an ultra low angle when photographing trees - i look like a total and utter one ... but hey i'm used to that