Keeping the attention of viewers and readers amid photo overload can be a difficult challenge. A valuable tool for meeting this challenge is to give your pictures a unique look using angles.

Try low and high angles. Low angles, or what I like to refer to as "dog's eye view," are good for making your subjects look imposing, reducing background clutter and achieving the dramatic effect that clouds can provide. In addition, this low angle can be used for dramatic silhouetes against the sun. Or, try fill-flash in this situation, and come up with dramatic photos with deep blue skies.

High angles are good for keeping all faces in view during a group shot. In addition, this "bird's eye view" allows for graphical elements, such as hats, umbrellas or street markings, to come into play. High angles simply provide a unique perspective that captures viewers' eyes.

Some photographers are referred to as "45-degree" shooters, that is to say, they shoot everything from eye level, aiming their cameras at a 45-degree downward angle. This is, of course, a tongue-in-cheek criticism, but the point is made. Here is a personal guideline: If, after seeing several of my photographs, a viewer can guess my height, then I am doing something wrong :).

Photo Class is a series of lessons in photography by Billy Calzada for beginning and intermediate students. Visit Photo Class often, as new lessons will be posted periodically.