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Every so often, a novice photographer tags along with me in the field. At the end of the shoot, they almost invariably say the same thing to me—you move around a lot! Yes I do. I think the biggest shortcoming for photographic newbies is the tendency to settle for the first shot they see. Part of that “settling” is the propensity to shoot every scene at eye level. Much of the time, this inclination leads to ho-hum imagery, and it’s a habit I think every photographer should break, immediately.
I’ve discussed this elsewhere, but years ago I attended a John Shaw photo seminar, and one of the things that stuck with me was his description of how, as a workshop leader, he noticed that the vast majority of his participants would approach a scene and immediately set up their tripods at full height. I made a point of keeping an informal tally of my own observations in succeeding years and determined that he was absolutely right. With relatively few exceptions, unless some impediment requires people to do otherwise, people typically set up at full height, and they stand in the first place they find.
The one positive thing I can unequivocally say about shooting at eye level is that it’s the most convenient, comfortable way to shoot. But the most convenient spot doesn’t necessarily yield the most interesting or vital perspective.
The Method
When I arrive at a scene for the first time, I set my tripod aside. Yes, you read that correctly; while I always have my camera mounted on a tripod when I trip the shutter, I don’t make use of it at all immediately. With my camera in hand, I carefully examine the scene with the naked eye, attempting to take in all of the potential elements of a possible photograph. When I spot something I like, I examine the scene through the camera’s viewfinder (unless I have the wrong lens mounted on the camera, in which case I switch lenses and then proceed). I continue this process until I find what I feel is the best option. That almost invariably means moving—up and back, left and right and, yes—up and down. I’ll squat, I’ll kneel, I’ll lay down…I do what it takes to put myself in what I believe is the best position for the shot.
Only when I find that spot—after making a mental note of the approximate ideal height—do I get the tripod and set it up at the noted position. With the camera mounted, I fine tune the composition and then go about the process of formally capturing the image. The tripod is an impediment when trying to find the best photographic position, so I keep it at arm’s length until I need it.
Zooming: Reality and Fallacy
Note that this isn’t merely limited to finding the best height at which to position the camera—it’s important to spend some time moving around: up and back, left and right, as I mentioned above—as well. The forward and back aspect is often neglected, as a function (in part) of zoom lenses. I often see people standing in one spot, zooming endlessly in and out. Adjusting the focal length of the lens in this way has isn’t without value at times, but many people are under the false impression that changing the focal length changes perspective.
It doesn’t.
Focal length changes have implications for depth of field, of course, but from a compositional standpoint, zooming a lens only changes the field of view of the would-be image. If you want to change perspective, you must move; pick yourself up (bring your camera along for company) and physically change your position. Now you’re changing perspective.
The Payoff
What’s the benefit of adjusting perspective? In short, more dynamic imagery. Shots hastily taken from eye-level have a tendency to appear static, flat and stale to viewers, precisely because it produces the same perspective that they’re so used to seeing themselves. But change that significantly—for instance, try getting very close and low in relation to a prominent foreground object—and you’ll be displaying something fresh, partly because it’s out of the ordinary and partly because this kind of perspective can produce the sense of adding a third dimension to what is, after all, a two-dimensional medium.
Give it a try. Spend a bit more time thinking about and exploring your surroundings. Most importantly, remember to move and examine different shooting perspectives. See if it doesn’t make a difference in your image output.
Thursday Tips is written by Kerry Mark Leibowitz, a guest blogger on 1001 Scribbles, and appears every other Thursday. To read more of his thoughts on photography, please visit his blog: Lightscapes Nature Photography.
twoblackdoggies said:
So true! I want to do some ‘moving’ around this weekend and am hoping that it won’t test my husband’s patience too much 🙂
kerryl29 said:
Thanks–and best of luck with these weekend’s movements. 🙂
Pamela Breitberg said:
Taking one’s time to photograph nature is part of the fun! Fun to be at one with nature and fun to be able to absorb/learn more of the essence of the nature you’re making your subject of the moment. The hunt “needs” to be part of the process.
kerryl29 said:
Agreed.
Sara said:
Your photos are breath taking! And your insight is coveted. Thank you for sharing, and stopping by! I look forward to exploring your space more. 🙂
kerryl29 said:
Thanks very much!
kelihasablog said:
Fantastic article with so many good ideas! Your photos are soooooo pretty! How can one not move around a lot to be sure to guess the best angle? 😀
kerryl29 said:
Thanks very much for the kind words.
In response to your (probably rhetorical) question: “How can one not move around a lot to be sure to guess the best angle?” You’d be surprised. 🙂
The next time you’re at a place where a lot of people are taking photographs, stop for a moment and watch how many of them simply pull out a camera and snap a shot with little or no consideration of perspective. It’s an epidemic, I tell you. 🙂
becky6259 said:
Love all of your shots, and your advice is very helpful!
kerryl29 said:
Thanks; happy to help!
sunmallia said:
excellent advise!
kerryl29 said:
Thanks!
David said:
Beautiful shots, especially the first one.
kerryl29 said:
Thanks.
lignumdraco said:
Very good advice!
kerryl29 said:
Thanks so much!
Photos close to home said:
As always, your teaching is insightful and thought-provoking.
kerryl29 said:
Much appreciated, thank you!
Daydreamer said:
I love the picture of the cliff with the water running! I love how clear the water looks and your contrast is beautiful!
kerryl29 said:
Thanks very much.
Pierre said:
First post I read on your blok and I liked it very much. Made me want to subscribe 😉
See’ya again soon!
Pierre said:
… of course, read “your blog”, sorry for the typo 😉
kerryl29 said:
Thank you…and no need to apologize for the typo. 🙂
shamanictracker said:
This was super useful, thanks! U really changed my perspective 🙂 And helped me realize another benefit of having children, they make you ‘come down’ to a different (eye) level and make you move lot more 🙂
kerryl29 said:
Thanks!
restlessjo said:
The photos are evidence that it works! I just use a digital, no tripod, but I do usually think to investigate the angles. Small compensation for not being much of a photographer. 🙂
kerryl29 said:
To the contrary; if you’re aware of the issue of perspective and putting it to use in the field, you’re almost certainly a much better photographer than you’re giving yourself credit for being.
gamillerlasvegas said:
Learned a lot here. Thanks!
kerryl29 said:
Thank you!
shimmyshark said:
Great advice. I’m not going to let good equipment impede me. I spend so much time rolling around in the sand and crouching down in swamp water. The closer I get to ground level the grander everything looks. Thanks.
On my Way…
kerryl29 said:
Thanks; sounds as though you’re well on you way indeed.
Anita C. Miller said:
Your photos are stunning! I love the first one. I really like your advice,too. Sometimes I do the exact opposite than you describe to see things differently. ie. zoom the lens partially or fully and start looking through the viewfinder to see what looks interesting. I’m always trying to surprise myself and hope that if I am surprised, maybe someone else will be, too.
kerryl29 said:
Thanks…both for the kind words and taking the time to comment.
theINFP said:
Reblogged this on theINFP.
theINFP said:
excellent advice, thank you
kerryl29 said:
Thanks!
Through My Eyes said:
This is great! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Beautiful photo BTW.
kerryl29 said:
Thanks very much!
beautyofphotos said:
Although I am no professional, I do agree with you. I move around a lot & take many pictures, so much so that no one wants to come with me for a walk with my camera because it will take too long 🙂
StillWalks said:
Aha! I recognise that issue 🙂
kerryl29 said:
Thanks. And…yeah, photography is a lousy spectator sport. 🙂