Interesting subject matter. Good composition. Proper technique. These are all important aspects of photography but one I’d like to discuss today is perspective.
I’ve often heard photographers talk about the importance of looking at subjects from many different angles and viewpoints. Or how sometimes you can find great shots if you just remember to turn around from time to time.
I’ve always tried to apply this important concept. So much so I was teased about it on a dogsledding vacation. I was the only one taking pictures regularly. (This was before digital cameras became as ubiquitous as they are today). A couple thought I was “crazy” to lay down in the snow, on my stomach, just to take a picture of one of the dogs. It became the running joke of the trip. Turns out they were right. I was crazy enough to capture one of my all-time favorite photos.
The relevance of perspective became clear after I purchased an ultra-wide angle lens (Tokina AF 12-24mm
No, my head really isn’t that tiny. (Nor is it as big as some would have you believe). In all fairness, it is a hard lens to shoot.
My real love of the ultra-wide format is how interesting pictures become when you get up close and personal. You can take something rather mundane and create dramatic, powerful images that engage the viewer. Plus, once you get the hang of it, ultra-wides are just fun. I rarely use my telephoto anymore in favor of the ultra-wide lens.
A few photos from my recent trip to St Louis demonstrate what a difference perspective can make.
Here’s a few popular views of the arch:
Now we get interesting:
Ultimately, I decided to take out the buildings or any foreground to test the viewer’s perspective; leave them struggling for scale. And I softened the image a little so the clouds would blend into the arch. Yes, it reduced the sharpness and clarity common in architectural photos, but that’s the point.
In the end you’re left with a very different perspective on an iconic landmark. I’ve since gotten it printed and hung up. It’s turned into more of a riddle than a piece of art. After staring at it for a while people eventually ask, “That looks really familiar. What is it?”
I think to myself: “A successful picture. You were engaged.” They exhale in recognition and relief after I say, “The St. Louis Arch.”
“That’s really cool.”
[This post originally appeared on my Tumblr blog. I moved it to keep my Tumblr feed focused on pictures.]
All Things Dave 