You can create more interesting images by simply paying attention to the angle at which you photograph the subject. The best position is not always standing directly in front of what you are photographing. The next time you’re on vacation, don’t stand in line like everyone else to take the “usual” picture of a famous landmark. Get out of the line and look for a new perspective. Even a small change in the viewpoint can make a big difference in the impact of the image. Also, don’t be afraid to get down on the ground on your back, stomach, or on all fours while taking pictures.
The sample shown here won first place in a photo contest and was taken by Kristy Butler. It is a great example of how perspective can change the impact of a photograph. The image suggests that good feeling of a summer’s day in a meadow in the woods. But the picture was actually taken in the alley next to a dumpster behind the Cord Camera store located at 7616 Sawmill road in Dublin. It was the result of a succession of attempts at trying different angles. The camera was in auto mode and the on-camera flash was used. Kristy let the camera do the work when it came to exposure and focus and she concentrated on capturing the subject at a different perspective. The time Kristy spent in discovering a unique viewpoint and her willingness to experiment and photograph the subject at different angles paid off in a “National Geographic” quality, prize winning image that she should be proud to hang on a wall in her home.
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