During 2020 I ran a photography challenge over on my travel blog looking at different techniques throughout the year. I was not expecting that the year itself would prove to be a challenge in that the Covid-19 pandemic hit us and not only put paid to any travel plans, but also altered the way in which we conducted our lives. This year I am going to look at those techniques again using new photographs as and when I get the opportunity.
September was about the Point of View. The phrase ‘point of view‘ in photography simply means the position from which the camera sees the scene. It refers to the angle or place from where you shoot. Try different ways of photographing the same subject rather than looking at it from front on.
Use your feet and move around the subject looking for an optimum angle. Often by doing this you will find better light or a better composition. Take your time to really look at your subject before pressing that button.
Don’t be afraid to get down on your stomach or climb a tree. OK. Some of us are past the climbing tree stage and even lying down can be an effort, but it does help to try and vary the height from which you shoot.
Look for different and dramatic angles that will make your images more striking.
- Shooting from eye-level helps your viewer connect with the subject.
- Look up – the subject will seem more powerful
- Look down – the subject will appear smaller, inferior.
Indirect – focus on the shadow rather than the subject
And put into action all those different techniques we have looked at this year.
If you would like to have a look at the different techniques covered throughout the year then you can see them here. Please note that I am not running this as a challenge, but merely using the old one as inspiration for my photography this year.
Cornwall in Colours 
The robin is a great shot and the magnolia backdrop makes it more painterly. The old tree is magnificent, I love the fence shadows and the teasel and the bay…
I was sitting on a bench under that magnolia when the robin landed right in front of me. Pure luck.
Love your series, and not least the little robin. Shadows and silhouettes are always a treat.
A really ineresting and potentially useful post, Jude, thank you 👍
Wow, it’s amazing how different angles can create a wonderful photo! Most of the time I’m huffing and puffing up a hill (with a heavy backpack) and then the last thing I’m thinking about is which technique to use for a brilliant photo 😁. But I will certainly remember your pointers next time we’re just on a stroll …
I like the simplified way you explain these concepts. I wish I could get better at just going out to take photos and try out these ideas. I’m such a travel record type of photographer.
I love that silhouette one.
(PS Happy Birthday! 😁)
Thanks H. How on earth did you remember my birthday? Hope all is good with you, my daughter ran her first marathon this weekend, I’m so proud of her.
Many years ago in one of M-R’s many iterations of her blog (it may have been her ‘salon’ phase), people were sharing their birthdays. I put them in my phone with an annual reminder. Yours popped up today.
Oh congratulations to your daughter!! That is an epic achievement. Do pass on my congrats to her. She’s amazing!
Oh gosh, yes, I remember that time. She’s reinvented herself I see, in more ways than one. 😁