OK, here it is, the window that started off last week’s rainy photowalk. I was drawn to those window frames of wonderfully peeling paint in contrast with the shiny smooth metal of the building. It was interesting to find that the metal wasn’t as shiny smooth as it seemed from the car driving by. It had it’s own texture of rust and even writing on it, as you got closer. I like the shapes and lines in this image, and the contrast of not only textures but the silver-blue building against the warmer yellow and brown found in the windows and doors and repeated in the color of the curb.
I’ve been noticing lately how “straight on” many of my images are. That seems to be a favorite perspective. It’s not intentional, I often take many different angles and perspectives of one scene but come back to the “straight on” one as my favorite. Maybe it’s a reflection of my personality, I’m pretty direct and straightforward.
But the angles often show something that the straight on perspective cannot, and that’s depth. This is the window on the left. You can’t tell the depth of the texture, borne out through the paint and screen and screws and nails, in the image above. To show that, it took moving around the angle of the camera, the depth of field, capturing the layers and the details. Of the two images today, this second one is my favorite. It has more depth, it reveals more. It says more to me.
It’s just a reminder to continue looking from all different perspectives, to see which one connects with you the most. You never know!
Great reminder – I’m finding that a lot of my images have the same perspective and I need to challenge myself to look from a different angle.
Breaking out of the box once in a while is good! I still find I like the box I’m in but maybe I expand it a little everytime I play. 🙂
I have found ‘perspective’ to be a recurring word for me this past year, as I realize that if I stand where I have always stood, nothing ever looks different, and how ordinary things can look extroidonary if I just change my position. I need a constant reminder . . . thanks!
Kim, that is an amazingly profound interpretation. You are so right. In photography, and in life!! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this reminder, I realize that I’ve also started taking photos off-centre and I love the results I’ve sometimes noticed. I’ve always enjoyed looking through the lens from behind an object, especially when there is a beautiful light which creates transparency. Light is so important too, isn’t it.
Thanks for reminding us to try out things we don’t normally think of doing, Kat.
Hi Kat-I love both of these actaully. The depth of that window sash and twisted screen is great to see closely. Your straight on images have triggered in me a little nudge to shoot straight on more often. I tend to do angles by default. There are times now I look thru the viewfinder and hear my brain say “no, this needs to be straight on”.
I remember your contrast Exploring-you talked about not only colors, but shapes, textures, and many other contrasts-which you’ve found in both of these. Your lessons stick in my brain I guess.
On another note entirely-I know you recently acquire Lightroom 3. I just got it and wonder if you have a book or source you can recommend as good. That would be oh so helpful.
Have a great day Kat.
Yes! I’m glad to hear that those Exploring with a Camera posts have stuck with you! I have two recommendations for Lightroom 3 books, I am using both to learn:
Scott Kelby’s Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers
David duChemin’s Vision & Voice: Refining Your Vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Excellent point!
I love that 2nd shot, with the peeling paint and the lifting window frame. It’s interesting to see what perspective we prefer and certainly worth changing it every once in a while.
I agree with you that the close up angle shot is maybe more interesting. Of course, I’m always drawn to textures and peeling paint. But I like the straight on one too. Changing perspectives is good for us all.
Yay for textures and peeling paint!!
Gorgeous layers; I find I am being drawn more and more to the old and abandoned…the relics. Maybe it’s turning 59??? 🙂
I don’t know what it is, but I find that I am drawn to the same. I find more character than in the picture-perfect, cookie-cutter new construction.
Kat,
A great example of what can be found by changing perspectives. For me as well, shooting “straight on” is my go-to perspective. Thanks for the excellent reminder to keep searching for the hidden gems that are waiting for us if we really take the time to “see”.
Playing around with perspective is always fun, and always helps our ability see. Time for another POV assignment? 🙂
Hey, Kat…I’m usually a close-up girl. But in this set, I’m loving the straight-on shot, in particular, this time. The lines and symmetry..and the soft yellow and green against the silver. I just love this! (Love the close-up, too..but having fun picking a favourite today!) And, thanks for the reminder on perspective…
Isn’t that interesting, how you are attracted to the different perspectives? I think my favorite changes every time I look at them. 🙂