TAKING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Taking a different perspective can significantly enhance the impact our images create. It helps us to make the common uncommon; the mundane insane.
So what do I mean by a different perspective? I mean creating an image from other than eye level while standing up, which is the most common perspective from which most pictures are taken. It involves getting outside our comfort zone. It's easy; more comfortable to just stand there and take a picture.
I encourage you to simply look at life differently, from different heights and different angles. In other words, different perspectives. You will notice a big difference in your images.
I might add that oftentimes, the viewer will know even realize that you took the shot from a different perspective other than eye level. Sometimes the effect is subtle. However, it will still have a stronger impact, regardless of whether your intentionally different perspective is evident or not.
This is the perfect time to share my first example. This doesn't give any hint as to where I was when I created this image of the amazing Sangre De Cristo Mountains in Colorado. This mountain range has the same feel as the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. When I was there, I could barely see a small body of water midway into the scene. I wanted to see more of it so I got on top of my vehicle, stood up, set up the tripod, and got this shot.
I was with a camera club at a historic cemetery in Leadville, Colorado. I was demonstrating the use of perspective. In the middle of the cemetery was a giant depiction of Christ on the cross. The cross was black; Jesus was white.
As I demonstrated, I placed my camera underneath Jesus' feet and shot straight up. The camera was so low I couldn't see what I was taking. I had to estimate. However, prior to the shot, I preset my settings: large f/stop (small opening to get lots of depth of field), set the focus point in the center of the viewfinder, and overexposed it slightly so the cross and Christ wouldn't turn out too dark. I picked up some flare in the upper left-hand corner. I could have deleted it, but I left it because it added a spiritual feel to the subject.
This perspective gave me a more powerful view of Christ on the cross. It would not have had the same impact had I photographed it from a distance at eye level.
This next example is also of Jesus on the cross, but the perspective is just the opposite-- a view of Christ on the cross, but looking straight down.
This is actually one of 30 renditions included in my new book, Renditions of Famous Paintings. In the book, I go into detail about how I staged this shot and the complex computer software applications it took to create the final image. For this blog, however, I want to stress the idea and importance of taking photos from different perspectives. Get outside your comfort zone.
Articulated screens on the back of some cameras can help with this, especially if it's difficult for you to get down on your knees or bend your knees to get a shot.
I was at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial--the memorial to the devastating 1995 bombing of the federal building in the city. It was quite emotional seeing 168 chairs that represented each of the victims. I let my emotions lead the way for me.
As hundreds, if not thousands, of people have done since 1995, I too took several photographs in and around the beautiful and touching memorial. After several minutes of taking photos, I wanted to create an image that better matched the feeling I was getting as I walked around. I placed my camera on the grass and took this shot of the chairs.
I mentioned earlier that the viewer cannot always tell that you took a different perspective to create your image. Such is the case with this next example. I get a lot of positive feedback on this image, but never, never has anyone commented, "I like the perspective you took."
I saw this beautiful grouping of varied colored tulips along Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. I didn't want to take the shot looking down at the tulips, from eye level. I lowered my tripod to about 1.5-2 feet from the ground to get this shot. The point here is that a new perspective can make a big difference, even if no one knows you took a different perspective.
I took several photos of the table and table setting in this next example. I used a wide-angle lens for some to capture the entire room, or most of the room. Then it occurred to me to also take my camera and aim it facedown on the table. To do this, I extended my arms away from me and above head level to get this shot.
If you don't have a lens with an image stabilizer feature, you might need to increase your ISO to get a faster shutter speed, in order to get a steady shot. Consider this simple technique for a variety of subjects.
There is a very unusual annual event in Nederland, Colorado. It's held in mid-winter, and it gets cold in Nederland! The event is called Frozen Dead Guy Days. It covers more than one day. The annual theme is "dead guys;" anything that has to do with death. They have a parade that includes folks competing for the best hearse, best coffins, etc. As I said, it's quite unique.
The event draws hundreds of people from a 45-mile radius, which includes Boulder and Denver. Because it draws a lot of people, it's hard to get a good shot of the parade. My solution is to raise my camera above my head, aim slightly down and start shooting. The resulting images look like I am 6'10" tall and shooting down at all the people around me.
This last example is one of my favorites--a bit surreal. It involves another annual event, but this one is in Denver, Colorado. One of the most creative events I have ever attended is Denver's annual Chalk Art Festival. The city closes a four-block area in the LODO area (Lower Downtown) so artists can spend the weekend creating their chalk art on the paved streets. It is pretty amazing what the artists come up with.
One year, I was capturing all the fun activities, including, of course, artists creating their art. After several minutes of shooting from eye level, I started shooting straight down at the artists as they created their art on the street. I leaned forward, with arms extended, and started shooting. This image looks like I was hovering above the piece he was painting.
So, I have shared several ways and techniques I use to get different perspectives. I hope they inspire you to get out of the habit of shooting everything at eye level while standing.
There are so many different ways to look at life. And, by so doing, our images will reflect it.
Have fun with it! Contact
me if you need to.....
Eli
