Spiritual Photo Tip 9: Point of View

There’s great joy in exploring the many facets of any subject, whether in life or photography. Here’s your invitation to open new ways of seeing by looking at your object of attention from many points of view.

Welcome to Spiritual Tip 9 – Point of View. This is the first of 10 Elements of Photography following the first 8 Tips on Composition.

Do you walk around taking photos from your usual way of seeing things – either standing or sitting and looking straight ahead?

Discover the power and beauty in witnessing a fuller picture.  

There’s no need to rush – stick around a while.

Look up, look down, get high, get low. Move a little to the right or left.

How would your subject look if you were crouching or lying on your stomach? Have you ever put the phone right down on the ground to take a picture? What about lying on your back looking up?  Using your selfie mode to shoot below flowers up into the sky can be a lot of fun, not to mention dryer if the ground is wet.

Then look at that same subject from above looking straight down. Stand on a chair, monkey bar or set of stairs to get even higher.

How would a squirrel, a dog, a child, or a bird see it?

There are so many ways to look at the same thing. Have fun with this.

By changing your point of view, you’ll find the best composition. You’ll also explore how each shot exudes a different emotion.

This not only increases your creativity and understanding of the subject, but offers your viewers unique perspectives they rarely see walking around looking straight ahead and in their heads – a plight of modern society.

By spending the time exploring the many angles and facets of a scene, you’ll produce a variety of great shots. You may not be able to choose a best one. You’ll simply have different ones.

Take a look at how the subjects below were explored. Try to imagine where I or the camera were to change the point of view.

For example, I photographed the yellow Laburnum tree from right below it and then from a bridge overlooking it.

See how changing my point of view on the toilet sign adds a bit of humour to one of the shots?

Do you like one shot more than the other? That’s a matter of personal preference. Perhaps you appreciate all of them for different reasons. Remember you can click on one to scroll through them full screen.

Isn’t that also true when sharing different points of view on a subject in conversation with your family, friends, and colleagues? 

It’s not about who’s right or wrong. It’s about seeing the situation or the person from all angles.

We all see & understand our world from different perspectives. Our cultures, personal histories, and personal development give us a unique way of experiencing and understanding those experiences.

As a teacher, I loved knowing that not one student in the room perceived me the same way. It helped me let go of control and brought my attention away from myself and to the students, where it belonged. All I could be is the best version of me in any moment to foster the best in them, whatever that might be.

Are you open to different points of view? Do you take the time to listen to what or how others think?

Be open to sharing, not judging or imposing your way of seeing things on another. Who knows?! You may learn something new.

What would a subject look like if you were of the same species? at the same level?

This might mean getting higher or getting lower with your camera.

When I used to teach English Second Language, I had my students role play. First they’d be one person and then switch roles, examining both the language and perspective of everyone in a situation.

When you come upon a challenge or disagreement, pause and ask yourself “How would I see this situation from the eyes of this person? That person?” Try to see the big picture. If possible, ask them.

You’ll find that your degree of understanding and compassion increases.

Your curiosity will lead you to greater inner peace as well as peace with those involved in the conflict. Ask, actively listen, and open to new ways of seeing.

Sometimes, you’ll end up seeing eye to eye. Sometimes, you’ll agree to disagree. Either way, you’ll all be richer for the openness to share.

I’ll never forget the day I was hiking in Portugal Cove in Newfoundland, taking photos of the ocean. Then I looked down and gasped. I was standing on the most beautiful rock, a true work of art! It’s the first photo below.

Walking in European cities, I loved looking above the 2nd floor for architectural details. You miss that at street level with all the shop signs. It’s the same in nature. Looking up is fascinating, offering something you don’t look at every day.

Being mindful of your environment means being present to all that’s around you, but don’t forget what’s above and below.

On your next solo walk (or with a photo buddy), I invite you to pause often to look in all directions.

Appreciate the beauty all around you – then capture a few photographs to share your expanding way of seeing the world.