A New Perspective

by Judy

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

-Wayne Dyer-

There is an exercise for art students where the artist views a photo and draws a picture of what they see.  They then turn the photo upside down and draw a second picture of what they see.  Without fail, it's found that the second drawing more accurately represents the image in the photo.  Why is this?  Apparently, looking at the photo upside down keeps us from focusing on our preconceived notions of what something looks like.  When the photo is viewed upside down, the artist focuses on the smaller details, the shapes and lines, the little pieces, instead of the image as a whole.

A recent major event has made me feel as if my life has been turned upside down. Without really talking about 'it', we all know what I'm talking about. I'm flooded with many feelings - devastation, despair, worry.  And I know I'm not alone. (Alert...This is not a political post. This is not a post about 'sides.')

Looking at the big picture has been extremely frightening.  I just see this "big thing."  It feels overwhelming, intimidating and frustrating. But in a moment of clarity I thought of the art exercise, and I wondered if I could use that same idea to look at this "big thing" from a different perspective.  

By turning things upside down can this overwhelming thing be broken down into more manageable pieces?  Are there things there that I can work on?  According to author and creative expert Michael Michalko, "perception is an active rather than a passive process, it constructs rather than records 'reality.'  You construct how you choose to see the world."

By changing my perspective can I construct a more positive reality - at least a more positive path to follow? I can see myself walking this positive path, and just as the artist does, I imagine focusing on the smaller pieces, the shapes, the lines. As I walk this path I imagine being joined by others, who like me, are trying to find the positive amid all of the negative. With time, I imagine finding clarity, and with that clarity, I imagine this positive path branching off into many other positive paths.  

It's early in this thought process, so I really don't know if this is something I can do, but I do know that a new perspective is worth a try.  It is definitely worth a try.  

Do you ever feel the need to just turn things upside down? A new perspective can help all of us in every aspect of our lives.  Some time alone to be with your thoughts is usually helpful. Quiet time seems to bring about some lucidity and awakens our mind to look at things differently.



  

It's All a Matter of Perspective

by Leigh

A lot of times (ok…the majority of the time) I tend to shoot the same subject over and over.  Not for lack of subjects, but because I enjoy the challenge of presenting it in a different way each time.  The easiest way to do this is to change my point of view.  POV in photography refers to the angle or place from which you shoot.  Just as a story is told from the narrator's viewpoint, you as a photographer can bring your unique point of view to each photographic story.  Challenging ourselves to stretch out into new directions can keep our interest peaked and our photos fresh.

Changing your point of view is simple and requires no new gear (unless you want to be adventurous and try shooting from a ladder).  Altering your view point is an easy way to shake up your photography and give your creativity a boost.  Try a bird's eye view from above or maybe a worm's eye view on the ground plane.  Try shooting one subject from different angles and see what interesting stories you can tell.  

So go ahead…kneel, sit, lay down, climb a ladder, turn your head upside down…shake things up and see what new stories you can tell!