"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." ~Wayne W. Dyer
It's all about perspective, right? The unique way each of us looks at the world around us. What we see, what we hear and what we ultimately capture through our lenses all depends on where we are standing, literally.
Perspective is a huge part of telling a story through photos. Have you ever been shooting something and moving a few steps right or left, standing right over the object/person or laying flat on the ground, completely changes the image?
This photo of my son playing with his cars wouldn't have been as effective if I hadn't gotten down on his level, and laid flat on the floor. If I would have stayed standing, I would have missed his sweet little tongue (making car noises), I would have missed seeing the eyes of the toy cars, and I would have missed telling a story I want to remember long after he is grown.
What is your favorite story telling perspective? Perhaps there is a new perspective you could try out today! Share a photo with us of that perspective!
15 comments:
What an adorable photo. Perspective can make a big difference in a photograph, and how you look at every situation. Sometimes it can give you a greater insight into everything.
Karen
Ah, great post. One of my favourite topics. Like you, I favour that getting down low to shoot things. I find it amazing that one subject (the picture you included for example) could have countless shots depending on perspective. The side on shot would be completely different, the up on a chair looking down at him, the standing over him, etc etc etc. The light would change likely for each change in position you took as well. That's what blows my mind. The countless ways to shoot one subject with no change to subject, just the change of the photographer's perspective. Oooooooo, I like this post. Write more about it.
What an absolutely adorable image of your son and that tongue is precious. Thank you for reminding me that getting down low brings that whole new perspective to our images. Sigh....I do miss having little ones around.
What an adorable shot! and you are so right, perspective changes everything. Being on his level you are totally part of the story whereas had it been taken from above there wouldn't be as strong of an emotional connection. I love to have my kids look up at me as I shoot from above. I get direct eye contact and almost always a genuine smile.
Is that not the cutest picture? I love it! Love the pop of his read shirt, his concentration ... you always know when a child is concentrating, his/her tongue will stick out. :D It makes me wish I'd had digital when my daughter was small. We had film, of course, but who could waste precious film crawling around the floor to take pictures, only to get 72 shots back and only one of them good? I am glad I have it for my granddaughter and probably have 15,000 pictures of her ... and she's only 4.
But to the point: Perspective. As I thought about your post, Stephanie, I pondered that perspective is the unappreciated, under emphasized element in composing a shot. We hear about light, shutter speed, aperture, etc., again and again. But if you think about it, perspective can make or break a photo. I think we all need to be more mindful of it. As Leigh says, it totally gets you "into" the picture.
Oh, I love this so much! And you are so right about perspective. It makes ALL the difference. Like Dotti, I would give a million dollars to have had a digital camera when my kids were small for the same reasons she stated. And, like her, I'm now making up for lost time with my grandchildren. Thanks for a wonderful and thought-provoking post, Stephanie.
Ah!! I love this photo! I can almost here his motor noise! I find that I like getting down when I take pictures. Usually I'm outside with nature and wind up with dirty knees. My husband is finally gettiing used to me being on the ground. He doesn't come running now to see if I'm hurt!! Of course, at my age it gets harder and harder to get up!! Some of my most favorite shots of nature have been from underneath or ground level! I'm adding a link to one of my shots that shows how perspective can allow you see more. It's not a great shot, but I liked it so much when I saw the heart shape in the leaf on the left! I wish my focus had been on the heart shape, but it wasn't!! Too bad!! I wouldn't have seen it from above! Thanks for the reminder that I do need to experiment more with other perspectives!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18953962@N08/6892306961/in/photostream
When I have more time, I'll try to figure out the in comment linking!!
What a sweet picture...love the perspective!
I read somewhere that whenever you take a picture, turn around before you leave. I have found so many good shots with this advice. You go for your intended shot and you get so focused that you forget to look around at the rest of the beauty!
:) I know that other way to post a link is confusing -- but this worked great cuz I just stopped over and saw that great leaf and wonderful perspective!!
Steph -- you are so right. So many of my cherished moments with my kids were when I got on the floor with them and took it from your exact angle!
Great photo and great points.
Such a cute picture! I love seeing his tongue and his little foot. I read once, to shoot something in a way no one else would. It has really made me look at things differently, either getting down or up or behind something. Great post.
Such a sweet shot of your son! I spend a lot of time on the floor too! Sometimes I just put the camera on the floor and shoot! I told my neighbors that if they see me lying on the sidewalk not to get too alarmed because I'm probably just trying to get a shot!
Adore this shot Stephanie! I tried commenting on this last Friday, while on the road, and had no luck from my iPhone. Love your perspective! You have such a great eye girlfriend! xo!
Post a Comment
Thank you for sharing part of your day with us. If for any reason you are unable to leave a comment here on this post, please leave your comment on our Facebook page or in our Flickr discussion group. We love hearing from you!