Perspective Changes Everything: How to take a better photo!

“If you change the way you look at things the things you look at change.” ~Dr. Wanye Dyer

Photography, and the rules for it, often mimic those of life. And when it comes to creating a better image, much like life, it requires a new perspective to do so.

What we choose to include AND exclude from an image will influence the story the image communicates to it’s viewers. Sometimes, in order to tell the best story, we simply need to shift our perspective and see things from a new angle.

When you are trying to determine the best space, angle & perspective to photograph a subject from, it’s important to move yourself around the space, literally, physically move your body in order to see the subject from multiple perspectives before deciding which is best.

Try a bird’s eye view shot from above and then a worm’s eye view from below. How does the change in angle create a different story within your image? Does it make the subject seem larger & more powerful or smaller & weaker from one perspective over another?

Move from the left side of the space to the right, placing your subject on the left & right side of the frame. Move behind it (if you can). Aim your camera into the light source with your subject in frame and then try shooting the subject with the same light source illuminating your subject.

Each time you try a different angle, each time you move yourself, you’ll be able to see how perspective creates and influences the story of the image. Once you’ve seen your subject from multiple perspectives, you can decide which one offers the story you are wanting to communicate within the image.

So if you’ve taken a photo and you’re not happy with the outcome, try seeing it from a different angle. Shift your perspective and you shift the world.

From my heart to yours,

Amanda