When you take a photo from very low down, looking up at something, how does it make that thing look big and strong?

When a photo is taken from a very low camera position, looking upwards at a subject, this technique is known as a low-angle shot or a worm's-eye view. This angle creates an illusion of increased size and strength primarily through the principles of perspective and visual dominance. Firstly, it introduces perspective distortion, a natural optical effect where parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance. In a low-angle shot, vertical lines on the subject, such as the sides of a building or a person's body, appear to converge upwards, making the subject seem taller and more elongated than it actually is. This exaggeration of verticality makes the subject appear grand and towering. Secondly, the low vantage point places the viewer in a subordinate position, looking up at the subject. This changes the visual hierarchy, causing the subject to physically loom over the frame and dominate the visual field. By filling a larger portion of the frame and rising above the viewer's implied eye level, the subject appears more powerful and imposing. The background elements often recede or are obscured, further isolating and emphasizing the subject's scale. This upward gaze inherently communicates a sense of authority, monumentality, and strength, as the subject appears to stand in a commanding position relative to the viewer.