PERSPECTIVE: 4 Ways to Add Interest to Your Photos

Remember when you were younger and everything looked big to you? Your parents were like bronze statues, the tree in the front yard was as good as Everest, and if only you could reach the bag of leftover Halloween candy on top of the fridge… But when you grew up things weren’t nearly as impressive or unreachable (in the case of the candy) as they once were. Heck, now you’re the one tripping over little Ewoks darting around their parents’ ankles. So, what changed? Why has everything suddenly become so darn boring? The simple answer is: a change in perspective.

Having two kids of my own, I have gotten reacquainted with a child’s vantage point over the last several years. Our ten-month-old is a mast of finding the smallest items on the floor and under furniture (which he promptly eats). He’s like a bloody ninja CIA agent on acid! But, it’s because of his perspective. When you live your life proverbially six inches off the ground, you tend to notice things that adults don’t, and it fascinates the crap out of him!

So, how can you introduce that same kind of interest and fascination into your photography? Step back and examine what you are trying to capture and the message you want to communicate. Most everyone sees life five to six feet off the ground so don’t expect to “wow” them with a photo from their everyday perspective.

How do you remedy the situation? Here are four ways to introduce dynamic and interesting perspective into your photographs.

1. Shoot from Above

You see it a lot in advertising — people who appear as though they are leaning into a mirrored ball for a closer look at the spinach between their teeth. This look can be accomplished through post-processing in Photoshop or in-camera using a fisheye lens. But often a little height is all that’s required to add some interest to your photograph. So grab your step ladder, a picnic table, or the roof of your neighbor’s new Cadillac, and get to work!

2. Shoot from Behind

We are all used to seeing “the front” in life — we enter buildings at the front door, we hold in-person conversations face-to-face, and we even get married in the front of a church (generally). The same holds true in photography as well — all too often we are focused on capturing the facial expressions of our subject or the action as it’s coming our way. But many times there is a story that can be told from behind. Look for those opportunities, and take advantage of them.

3. Shoot from Down Low (the ground)

Probably one of my favorite perspectives takes you back to the basics, back to that child-like dimension where everything is grander. I have found that shooting from the ground not only produces some amazing photos, but it is downright (no pun intended) fun, too! Use Live View and a mirror to keep yourself from rubbing your face in the dirt, and you will be able to easily capture some stunning photos!

4. Shoot Alongside

Instead of broad-siding your subject (photographically-speaking), shoot alongside it for an elongated, dynamic perspective. That limo will look more elegant, that building will look more foreboding, and that fence row will look like it goes on for miles (especially if you live in Texas where everything quite literally goes on for miles).

No Comments / Sep 07.10 / Photography, Tips / by Allen Mowery

Monday Musings – Sept. 6, 2010

Happy Labor Day!

Today is Labor Day, what I view as a rather pointless holiday on the American calendar. But I am thankful for it, nonetheless. After all, it gives me an extra day to shove my nose in a textbook!

First Friday

Friday evening my wife and I had a wonderful date…probably the best we’ve had in years, if not ever! We were planning to attend a couple art galleries at the local university, but, unfortunately, the people who run that place must assume that everyone goes to bed at 5:00 pm, so that wasn’t going to work. Then, one of my contacts through Facebook suggested that we check out First Friday, an informal community art event held in Williamsport on the first Friday of every month. I had heard of it before, and since our original plans were shot to heck we decided to check it out.

After a delicious meal from Wegmans (you’ve gotta check out their subs sometime…best in the world!) we hit the streets, hand-in-hand, like two love-struck kids. We got a later start than I had hoped, so we didn’t get to check out all of the exhibits that we hoped to, but it was still a great time. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the arts or local artists in the area!

ARTIST KUDOS: Just wanted to put a little plug in here for artist and graphic designer Jamie “Boots” Marshall who was one of the vending artists. Her work has a very humorous, sometimes borderline satyrical flair to it, and my wife just loves it! We picked up a matted print of You Make It Go Away, the untold story of us as a couple. Be sure to take some time and check our Jamie’s work!

• Check out Boots Draws (website).
• Buy one of her T-shirts or art prints.
• Read her blog!

Coca-Cola, Hecho en Mexico!

Another exciting thing I discovered Friday night was that Wegmans sells authentic Coca-Cola imported from Mexico. Now, as some people have already asked me, what’s the difference between that and the Coke you can buy at any store? Well, despite the fact that it comes packaged in an authentic glass bottle with original pop tops and Spanish labeling, the recipe for Coca-Cola produced in Mexico is different than anything produced and generally sold in the US. The flavor is better, the carbonation is different, and I absolutely love it! I have some bottles of it that I brought back across the border some years ago, and I have been tempted ever since to crack them open and enjoy their awesome goodness. But, now that I have found a local supplier, I can have a virtually-endless supply of the luscious nectar. It was the first time my wife had ever had it, and now she is in love, too!

No Comments / Sep 06.10 / Around Town, Misc./Personal, Photography / by Allen Mowery

Meebaws – My Flickr Faves

One of my favorite photographers, and the one whose HDR work initially inspired my own foray into the the field, is Bill Simone. I actually do a lot of work with Bill’s photography as the company I work for has hired him on multiple occasions to do photography for catalogs, products, etc.

This particular image is not HDR, and I believe it was processed with Lucis Pro, but I could be wrong. Either way, it’s an excellent image, especially knowing the disasters that young children can create with a simple meal.

• Bill’s Website: billsimonephotography.com