Angling for the Story

by Kelly

Storytelling in photography. 

It is about communicating an idea, a message, or an experience with a viewer through a photo or series of photo. And in lifestyle photography (a multidisciplinary style of capturing ordinary life in an artistic way), storytelling is always the primary goal. 

As photographers, one of the best ways to add visual interest to our stories is to take a variety of shots from many different angles. In this way, it places the emphasis on different aspects of the story. Then when the individual images are put together in a photo essay, the contrast between the photos moves the story forward, and at the same time, adds interest to the overall story.

I recently completed my Week in the Life™ project which is basically a week-long photo essay.  And I thought today I might share with you some of my favorite shooting techniques and how I like to use angles to help tell the story in my photos.

#1) Shooting from the Hip

In its most literal sense, ‘shooting from the hip’ is a technique where you hold your camera at hip level and take the shot without using the viewfinder. My interpretation of this technique is to shoot at the same level as my subject, whether it’s at my kitchen table or out in the backyard.

I would say this is my go-to way of shooting…getting down closer to my subjects or standing at eye level. It is the way I ‘see’ things and I think it has become a defining aspect of my style.  And what I love about shooting this way is that I feel like it places the emphasis on the action that is taking place. The viewer is no longer a casual observer, but rather, it places them right there with me in the midst of the action.

#2) Inside Out

As a self-described homebody, I spend a great deal of time in my house. As I walk from room to room, I am always looking outside – whether it’s standing at the front door watching a storm blow in or standing in the kitchen looking out on my backyard. My view, is a big part of my everyday experience and so therefore, I think it only seems natural that I would want to capture that in my photos.

Whenever I am trying to capture a scene from inside my house, I like to include a piece of the door or window since those are most often the ‘frame’ through which we view the outside. To me, including windows and doors in my images adds a sense of place or perspective which helps to tell that story.

#3) Leading Lines

Leading lines are a powerful tool to draw a viewer into the story of a photo. (It’s our May theme too!) Whether straight or curved, leading lines move the viewer’s eye throughout the frame which then adds dimension and depth to an image.

Leading lines can take on many forms…rivers, roads, fences are the obvious choices. But I find that sometimes a more subtle expression of that can be just as intriguing.  Such as the edge of a countertop or the curve of a plate or bowl.

#4) Looking Up

I spend most of my days looking forward – working, driving, cooking, reading. For the most part, this is where the action in my life happens. This is the frame of reference for my story, so to speak. But something happens when I change my perspective and turn my camera upwards toward the sky. For me it is accompanied by a certain feeling of smallness. Which I don’t think of as a negative thing. To me it’s more about accepting my own physical limitations while at the same time appreciating the limitless nature of the universe.

When shooting towards the sky, I usually include some part of the scene to give a sense of place…anchor the story so-to-speak. This might be leaves of tree against a beautiful blue sky or a silhouette of my neighbor’s house against a brilliant sunset.  

#5) Looking down/Flat Lay

Whereas looking up often transcends the minutiae of ordinary life, looking down draws a viewer right back into it.  And depending on how much or how little of the scene is included, this perspective places the emphasis and focuses the story on the subjects included in the frame.

Think about the ‘from where I stand’ perspective. It’s such a simple storytelling device - two individual subjects – a person (or people) and a place (tile floor, beach, forest, etc.), the details of which tell one unified story.  This perspective is also used in a ‘flat lay’ which is really nothing more than a styled arrangement of an assortment of items. It’s all the rage on Instagram, and I think one of the reasons it’s so popular is that it focuses the viewers attention directly on the elements presented and removes any possibility of distraction from the setting or outside environment.

#5) Macro

Macro is the story of the details. From the wispiest hairs to the tiniest insects, macro photography immerses the viewer into another world by bringing things into view that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

When it comes to storytelling with macro photography, the actual object itself becomes less of the subject so the challenge is to capture the details while still giving the viewer some idea of what they are looking at.  (That is unless you are going for more of an abstract image which would be another blog post for another time.)

There are many ways to tell the story in a photo and this is by no means a comprehensive list.  But for me, these are tried and true techniques for helping me capture the heart and magic in my photos. These are my favorite angles for helping me to tell the story of my life.

Before I sign off, I would love to hear what some of your favorite angels in photography are.  Also, we would love for you to join us as we explore ‘leading lines’ as our monthly theme!

Until next time,

Kelly

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A New Perspective

by Judy

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

-Wayne Dyer-

There is an exercise for art students where the artist views a photo and draws a picture of what they see.  They then turn the photo upside down and draw a second picture of what they see.  Without fail, it's found that the second drawing more accurately represents the image in the photo.  Why is this?  Apparently, looking at the photo upside down keeps us from focusing on our preconceived notions of what something looks like.  When the photo is viewed upside down, the artist focuses on the smaller details, the shapes and lines, the little pieces, instead of the image as a whole.

A recent major event has made me feel as if my life has been turned upside down. Without really talking about 'it', we all know what I'm talking about. I'm flooded with many feelings - devastation, despair, worry.  And I know I'm not alone. (Alert...This is not a political post. This is not a post about 'sides.')

Looking at the big picture has been extremely frightening.  I just see this "big thing."  It feels overwhelming, intimidating and frustrating. But in a moment of clarity I thought of the art exercise, and I wondered if I could use that same idea to look at this "big thing" from a different perspective.  

By turning things upside down can this overwhelming thing be broken down into more manageable pieces?  Are there things there that I can work on?  According to author and creative expert Michael Michalko, "perception is an active rather than a passive process, it constructs rather than records 'reality.'  You construct how you choose to see the world."

By changing my perspective can I construct a more positive reality - at least a more positive path to follow? I can see myself walking this positive path, and just as the artist does, I imagine focusing on the smaller pieces, the shapes, the lines. As I walk this path I imagine being joined by others, who like me, are trying to find the positive amid all of the negative. With time, I imagine finding clarity, and with that clarity, I imagine this positive path branching off into many other positive paths.  

It's early in this thought process, so I really don't know if this is something I can do, but I do know that a new perspective is worth a try.  It is definitely worth a try.  

Do you ever feel the need to just turn things upside down? A new perspective can help all of us in every aspect of our lives.  Some time alone to be with your thoughts is usually helpful. Quiet time seems to bring about some lucidity and awakens our mind to look at things differently.



  

On Repeat

by Linda

Taking a picture everyday is good practise. It helps us become better photographers in many ways. We all know this. Whether or not you are officially in a "365" group, just a photo (or more!) a day not only helps us to see the world around us in new ways but lets us capture everyday moments to reflect back on. I enjoy looking back through previous "365" photos and even though I am not officially part of a "365", I still take a photo a day.

The problem becomes, how to keep the pictures fresh. How do I take pictures of different things even if I am in the same place day after day. How many pictures of the same thing can I stand? But maybe this is not really a problem after all.

Because I do take a picture of the same thing. Everyday. And when I look at them, I discover they are not the same at all.

I always have my phone with me as I walk each (almost) morning and I take mostly the same route each time. I do have a few favorite vantage points that I always look at more intently as I pass.

Each time, something catches my eye. Each time something is different about the locations. Similar but different and never to be the same again.

So, why not take the same picture again and again? It's never the same. There is always something different about it. Something magic about each place.

...

The way I see things..

something is always different, something has changed, whether it is the place or it is me

appreciating the difference in each shot takes a moment, a moment to remember being there, to feel it, smell it be a part of it again, it's a moment of time captured forever

and there's nothing wrong with that

...

How about you? Are you on repeat? Do you take the same picture over and over? Don't you love it?

...

about my pictures-

first 3 were taken at one location, different days

second three were taken at another location, different days

...

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man"

~Edward Steichen

...

One Thing, One Time

by Carol

You all know that I have a habit of listening to podcasts. Like  a good book, a good podcast can just take me away into thought. I often listen to them as I fall asleep, or when I am sleepless. I have recently discovered a wonderful one. Dear Sugar Radio is a podcast that resulted from a Portland, Oregon public radio show that features Steve Almond (essayist and short story writer) and Cheryl Strayed ( author of the recent novel Wild, among others.) In it each week they take on letters from readers asking for help with problems, Ann Landers style.  Well, I want to say Ann Landers style - but these two people are so empathetic, well spoken, intelligent and forthcoming, that their advice becomes more like a study of humanity. Each episode I have listened to is better than the previous one, covering all topics. Since they are both writers, they include thoughts beautifully expressed, quotes from literature, life lessons generously shared, and lots of kindness and intention. I'm hooked.

In recent years, I have made progress on diminishing my natural leaning towards worrying. When my daughter recently traveled to Paris right after the attacks, I actually succeeded ( for the most part) in not worrying when she was there. I simply decided that it was out of my control, and not worth putting my energy into. Can I do this all the time now? No, I can't - but I definitely felt like I took a huge step forward. So I was drawn to a recent episode of this podcast where the listener questioned how he could stop dwelling on things. He and those in his life recognized that his habit of dwelling was not good for him, but he didn't know how to stop. 

Steve took the first shot at it, suggesting that the things we dwell on in life are important because they have real meaning for us.  He said "when you see things in your suggestion box over and over again," those are the very things you should be "thinking about, making art about, seeing a therapist about," or simply doing whatever you have to do to discover their meaning in your life. He maintained that children are not the least embarrassed to dwell on things and will ask the same question, read the same book, over and over again until they have mastered an idea. He believes we are socialized ( or I would say "busyed" out of ) such intense consideration.

Cheryl then agreed but added a further  thought. She said while she often seeks the roots of things in order to solve them, she also recognizes that there are times when you must make an effort to just stop being "that you." She suggests that it is impossible to do that completely - and we shouldn't ask that of ourselves. There are certain aspects of our personalities that are really deep parts of us and will always be there. However, if we seek to lessen certain things, we can make changes little by little. The first step is awareness - becoming truly conscious of what you are doing in the moment ( there is that intention that we are always seeking again!) But then she suggests this wonderful idea - "doing one thing different - one time". ..."When you do it one time, it gives you the ability to do it one more time." Allow yourself to consciously enjoy "that one moment when you improved your character...for that is what change is made of." 

So I am proud of myself for putting the worry away that one time. I am sure I will begin to worry about something again soon - old habits die hard , and a predisposition to worry is in my bones, I'm afraid. But it's also true that  I now feel capable of putting it away. The next time I start to worry, I am going to consciously remember that recent experience, and I will intentionally review in my mind the idea that it is out of my hands, and that life will go on no matter what transpires. If the worst happens, I will have to find a way to deal with it - what else can I do? And if it doesn't - then what a waste of time all that worrying would have been! And I will put my energies into thinking about the roots of my predisposition, meditating on it, making art about it  - keeping myself busy with creative thoughts rather than destructive ones - putting myself "in the way of beauty." Worriers among us - want to join me?

" There is a sunrise and a sunset every day, and you can choose to be there for it - you can put yourself in the way of beauty."



(Cheryl Strayed quoting her mother's favorite saying)

The Power of Perspective

by Kelly

For me, taking pictures of daisies is sort of like eating Lays potato chips....I can't stop with just one.

One of the things I love about photography is how by changing my perspective I can tell a completely different story.  Even when it comes to a bunch of humble daisies.  By pulling back and including my kitchen doors, it puts my jar of daisies into context...a happy little flower on a cold, gray day.

But then if I change to my macro lens and get up close, tiny details come into focus and tell the story of a whole new world of possibility.

And what about the underneath of a flower?  An often overlooked perspective, but one with a unique beauty all its own.

As I was going through my photos the other day, I was thinking about the power of perspective.  And it crossed my mind how each of these stories about my humble little daisies is entirely true - one perspective does not negate another.  But individually they don't tell the whole story.

And I began to wonder how often I do this in my own personal life.  How often do I look at things through one perspective?  And when I am presented with a conflicting perspective, how do I attempt to reconcile that with my own singular experience?

What I've come to realize is that life isn't really that different than daisies.  Each perspective can be completely true - one does not have to invalidate the other.  And the best thing I can do is to make space in my heart for perspectives that might be different than my own.  Together they tell the whole story.

Until next time,

Kelly