I am always surprised at the difference in the way photographers treat the same subjects. The last two of my posts dealt with the images I made at a recent photo shoot with about 25 other photographers. Each of us saw the same subjects but many had different approaches in our picture making. Some images were great – good use of texture and light, effective framing and persepctive, dramatic and/or interesting images. Others were pedestrian: poorly exposed, lack of perspective or point of view, just plain blah. Too many of the photos used light poorly or framed their subject poorly.
Some took their photos at eye level – the object of our camera was right in front of them. Many photos were taken of subjects below our plane of view but from above – that is, the photographer was standing up with his or her camera pointed downward. Other photographers took their photos from afar without getting involved (or rather, getting us viewers, involved).
So what is my point? Many photographers fail to change their perspective from the everyday and ordinary view. Here are some of my tips:
- Get down low with your subject even if it means getting on your belly or knees.
- Change your perspective and take the photo from below with the sky as your background.
- Get up close and personal with your subject and fill the frame.
- Make effective use of lighting: try for the dramatic – use backlighting and rim lighting (and use a fill flash where needed).
- Go for the “different” and skip the ordinary.
- Make images rather than “taking photos”.
I try to learn from others. There are many great blogs and web sites out there that provide inspiration and technical tips. I make lots of images to help me develop technical skills. Most important, I strive to find a personal vision and style – I have not found those yet :(.
Take a look at my photos from the last two posts (and from the others below on this page). Each presents a point of view. Each uses light differently. Each presents the subject from different perspective. While perhaps not perfect, these images do illustrate my evolving vision.
What can you do to develop your vision?