Let’s Shoot From Above this week! Let’s get creative with a top-down perspective. Let’s have fun.
One cool idea for this challenge is to explore the world of flat lays. Arrange everyday objects or your favorite items on a flat surface, shoot from above, and voila! You’ve got yourself a visually stunning photo that tells a story without uttering a single word.



Is there any way I can I invite you to take a picture directly above a flat surface of something that is important to you or reflects you in some way? It would be fun to see. Perhaps you could choose a special object like a book, a piece of art, or even a collection of your favorite items that tell a story about who you are. I believe that capturing it this way could give us a glimpse into your world.
What do the two above still life images tell about me? ? I also added an portrait from directly above, as a last minute addition, took the few hours before posting this. The shot was not as easy to take as I thought. I had my husband lay on the floor, we tried few poses, he is a good sport when it comes to me needing a model to pose. This was fun trying to get an angle that looked good. I had fun trying something new for my own challenge.

Seek out unique perspectives by climbing a stool, using a staircase, or exploring elevated spots for a fresh viewpoint.

For those who love getting up close and personal, consider diving into the world of macro photography from a high angle. Zoom in on the tiny details that often go unnoticed, and watch as your audience is mesmerized by the beauty of the miniature world you’ve uncovered. It’s like discovering a secret garden right under your nose!






Keep it focused – choose a central subject and let surrounding elements complement rather than overpower your shot.
Nature – it is good to keep your eyes down sometimes when in nature




Abstract photography enthusiasts, this challenge is tailor-made for you. Experiment with shapes, patterns, and colors by shooting from above. Turn ordinary scenes into extraordinary compositions, leaving your audience scratching their heads and marveling at the sheer creativity you bring to the table.
Experiment with shadows and different lighting conditions to add depth and interest to your photos.

There are tons of ideas and themes for shooting from above – a bustling cityscape, people enjoying the waves, the mesmerizing swirls of a latté art in a coffee cup, the intricate details of a flower, or even portraiture from a height – it’s up to you to get creative with the angles you shoot at.
Discover captivating patterns and symmetry in both urban and natural settings, taking advantage of the overhead view.






Capture vibrant colors and interesting textures to add visual appeal to your photos. Whether it’s food or fabrics, use the top-down perspective to your advantage



Last week we delved into an emotional topic, exploring the many ways to view and photograph resilience. There are countless perspectives on this powerful theme, and the diversity of interpretations was wonderful.. Thank you for that challenge, Anne; it certainly had me thinking. Looking ahead, next week it will be Egídio’s turn to host on Saturday, January 25, at noon EST. Expect to see not only stunning and lovely photos , but also an engaging new theme that invites us all to join in and share our unique viewpoints.
Please remember to link your post on my blog. Additionally, don’t forget to use the Lens-Artists Tag, which plays a crucial role in helping us find your posts easily and allows others to discover your unique perspective and creativity within our collaborative space.

Great theme, superb photos. The escalator is dizzying! Lurking crocodiles, oh my! Well done. 👏
Thanks , I hope you are inspired to shoot from above
Great challenge Ritva! I’m guilty of not looking down, and I’m in the process of retraining. This will certainly help!
Thanks, hope you have fun doing so Anne
😊 See my post later!
This is a great idea, with freat photos as inspiration. I’m travelling this week, so won’t be joining in, but I’ll definitely keep your challenge in mind as I use my camera anyway.
Thanks Margaret, and that is one of the object in this – to have people take new photos and look down…
You’ve given us heaps of examples, Ritva, and I was quite happy with the first 3. And what a nice looking, as well as cooperative, husband. Have a great week, hon!
Thanks Jo, yes he is pleasant to the eye 😀 Looking forward to seeing your take on this.
Ritva, thank you for this topic. Your wonderful images have given me lots of ideas on how to approach this challenge. I really like the gallery of you macro photography and the image of the window from above on the spiral stairs.
Thanks Beth, looking forward to seeing your take on it
Great captures from above. Mine is here.
Thanks Marina
Interesting photos and challenge Ritva. My favorites are the macros of the plants, fungi, and barnacles.
Thanks Brad, Fungi is so much fun to capture 🙂 it is a world of it own
Agreed.
Fun topic. Love the variety of your gallery!
Thanks Sandy
This one is definitely going to be fun AND challenging. I’ll work on it.
Looking forward to it Pepper.
Wonderful examles. I adore the macros. Here is my contribution for #3: https://picturesimperfectblog.com/2025/01/18/from-bees-eye-view-to-birds-eye-view/
Thank you Macro is one of the best for this style photography
The typewriter brought back memories. I had a similar one back in the day. Also the window is captivating!
Thanks Nora, I came across this old shot while cleaning my archive of photos. It was taken at Hemingway museum
hello ritva,
a wonderful selection of pictures you have chosen for the challenge i like them very much, especially the 1st, 4th and 5th.
here is my contribution to the challenge https://wp.me/pfnz9O-AM.
many greetings robert
Thanks Robert I am glad you enjoyed those.
These are wonderful! I love that tower window, especially.
Thanks Dawn. Glad you like that one.
I love the topic. A wonderful post.
Thank you Ana! ☺
Great post Ritva, I love all the examples you have given as well.
Thank you Leanne! ☺
Lisboa 18 years ago..
These photos are great!
Enjoying the variation of subject between, and the different moods and tones.
Here’s mine for this one:
https://stupidityhole.com/2025/01/19/breaking-light/
Thanks, glad you liked them. I will see some waves in Sydney next month, I will happily photograph them then
Ritva, your challenge is so creative. I am looking forward to taking photos for this project rather than searching my gallery for examples.
Thanks So happy to hear that, I am hoping to inspire people to get new shots
A terrific challenge Ritva, you definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone! I loved all of your images and suggestions – if forced to choose I think I most enjoyed your macros.! This one pushed me out to shoot new images which was fun and happily I did it before this week’s cold spell arrives. My response is here https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2025/01/19/lens-artists-challenge-332-shoot-from-above/
Happy to inspire 🙂 Marco style is the most easily the best for this perspective. Thanks Tina
Thanks for the inspiration Ritva. Here is my entry for this week, hope you enjoy it
https://wanderingteresa.com/shoot-from-above/
Thanks Teresa, happy to hear I was able to inspire ☺
Ritva, your challenge was amazing. Besides the excellent examples you provided, you showed us a varied selection. I loved the nature shots as much as the city scenes. Fantastic! Here’s my entry:
https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/discovering-hidden-beauty-from-above/
Thanks Egídio, I’m happy you the selections, I had a tough time choosing them.
A great perspective and challenge, Ritva! Your last set of images is dizzying in amazing ways. I’ll join you on Wednesday!
Thanks Terri, yes they were taken from some height. Looking forward to seeing yours.
What a broad range of examples. So many interesting ideas on how to shoot from above.
Food and nature are obvious I guess, but there’s always dozens of ways to shoot and arrange food in particular.
My initial thought was that I only had flowers I’d shot from above, but my slow brain finally realised I had hundreds of examples in my archives and once again it became a difficult choice this morning. I’ll eventually choose something I suppose.
Thank you Vicki. Looking forward to seeing your take, was I able to get you to shoot new shots? from above.
No, no new shots from above, Ritva. Except 3-4 under the Microscope. Otherwise they’re only from my archives. Actually, as I type this, I just remembered I’ve got some shots from above in the lovely Australian Native plants I saw on my long 20th November walk.
It’s too hot for me outdoors at the current time. I’m stuck indoors sewing (of all things)…..with the aircon. on full blast. With 3 heart conditions and being very fair and getting sunburnt very quickly, I can’t go outdoors where there’s mainly bright hot sun. 35C (about 95F) today.
This is a very, very fun theme!
Thank you Marianne! ☺
Ooh, I love this challenge! https://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2025/01/19/lens-artists-challenge-332-shoot-from-above/
What a comprehensive ‘guide’ to shooting from above, covering all sorts of great ideas for different angles in our photography! I was very interested in your suggestion of flat lays, something I’ve not really considered (though I’m sure I must have a handful of serendipitous ones). I’ll definitely have a go at doing more on those lines, but meanwhile have relied on my archives for my response to your challenge: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-the-view-from-above/
Thanks; i did try to give many angles to this one. Your post was lovely – what a great variety of images
Inspirational, Ritva! And so many possibilities and examples! I love this theme – and your photography.
Thanks Ann- Christine ❤
What a nice selection of images you chose for this topic, Ritva.
here is my contribution: https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.com/2025/01/hand-in-hand.html
Thanks Klara 🙂
Great theme and your illustrations, Ritva. So much to ponder.
Thanks Rupali
Your photos are incredible! This was such a timely prompt for me as I’d just taken these beach shots from above. Much less spectacular than yours, but so happy to have a venue for them! https://judydykstrabrown.com/2025/01/22/looking-down-at-the-beach/
Glad it worked for you 🙂
Beautiful illustrations of what you want us to try out. I love all the photos, but the one that I would love to have on my wall is the one of the pond with floating leaves whose waters reflect the trees and sky above it.
This week I have https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2025/01/20/youll-never-see-rainbows/
Thanks 🙂 we can always talk about the photo if you were really wanting it on your wall 😀
What a fun challenge. Thank you, Ritva!
https://lindylecoq.com/2025/01/23/lens-artists-challenge-332-shoot-from-above/
Thanks Lindy
Well, here I am at last, posting for this excellent prompt, Ritva! You gave us some inspiring examples. Here’s my post : https://suejudd.com/2025/01/23/lens-artists-challenge-332-shoot-from-above/
Thanks Sue
That is quite the compendium of different ways to shoot from above, and they’re all quite wonderful. I’m intrigued by the ‘flat lays’ and want to try it out when my life is a little less hectic. Here’s mine: https://elizabatz.com/2025/01/24/looking-down-from-above-in-mexico/
Thanks 🙂 hope you try.
Here is mine for the week
https://norasphotos4u.wordpress.com/2025/01/24/lens-artists-challenge-topic-shoot-from-above/
The still gardens are breathtaking.
Thanks 🙂
Beautiful theme and lovely examples!
Love your husband’s pose and the POV.
My contribution: https://philosophyvia.photos/2025/01/25/lens-artists-challenge-332-shoot-from-above-sky-eye/
These are great pictures, Ritva, and I really enjoyed your challenge this week! Here is my post: https://mycolorfulexpressions.com/lens-artists-photo-challenge-332-shoot-from-above/
Great examples, Ritva. This was a fun challenge. https://fakeflamenco.com/2025/01/25/view-from-above-puerto-rican-geometry/