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A Change in Perspectives
by Bill Thorsby, Ship's PhotographerEditorial Deck Crewmember
Happy New Year: and welcome back to the Studio. As we enter a new year we get to reflect on where we have been and where we would like to go. This month I get a chance to reflect on a place I loved and enjoyed taking photos of. I spent a weekend in Daytona this past fall. Daytona is located in Florida and is known for the Daytona 500 speedway park. In fact I was actually there to attend a car show. I happened to come across a brochure that introduced me to a Lighthouse that is open for tours. It was this tour that brought me to our shooting location that we will discuss today. It brought a new perspective to my way of viewing things. So let's go see what a difference in perspectives is all about.
In photo 1 you can see what I saw...a Lighthouse. It was a sunny, warm beautiful day with hardly a cloud in the sky. As I stepped out of my car, I took a picture of this towering lighthouse as most tourists do. This was my first of many shots of this lighthouse. A wonderful, grand lighthouse, all in a fresh red paint. As you can see from my low perspective, I had to use a wide angle lens to get the entire lighthouse in. The picture captured the moment, but in hindsight, I wasn't thrilled with the picture. As I walked around, I found a new perspective.
In photo 2 you can see what 15 degrees angle does to the photo. First of all it introduces a shadow. Ansel Adams was one of the foremost experts when it came to working with light. A vast majority of his work was done outside. You ask, "How does someone control outdoor light?" In waiting for a lower sun, one can then capture wonderful shadows. That is what Mr. Adams did so well. He showed us shadows.
In photo 2 you can see how we are now seeing a slight shadow as we start to view the backside of the lighthouse. See how much depth is added to the building, it now appears to actually be cylindrical in shape. I also shot from a greater distance. That also changed my perspective to make the lighthouse appear more normal and not leaning away. Wide angle lens are great, but up close they make objects appear to be leaning away from you. A few feet difference makes a huge change!
Since it was Christmas time, I wanted to capture the moment and the decorations. In Photo 3 you can see where I had to compromise my angle (the leaning lighthouse) to include the Christmas tree. I didn't want to lose my shadow, so I shot from an off side angle instead of right in front of the building. One thing you need to think of when you're close to one object and not the other is Depth of Field.
I wanted both the Lighthouse and the Christmas tree to be in focus, so I had to close my lens down to a smaller aperture, thus increasing my depth of field or what is in focus. With it being a sunny day and a bright object, I had more than enough light that I didn't have to raise my film speed to compensate for letting less light in the camera to gain depth of field.
I trust this shows you some different views on how to take photos of an object. Don't just stop at one picture, but move around. Look at the details, where's the light coming from, are there any shadows to add a sense of depth? In a high traffic place, when can I shoot without getting other folks in my picture? I did have some people to deal with, but patience pays off in the long run. There are many things to think about, but it's these things that make our pictures more interesting and capture our memories. I trust you will have a wonderful New Year.
Foremost of all...Happy Shooting,
Bill Thorsby
billthorsby@ssreflections.com
Ship's Photographer
Editorial Deck Crewmember
Reflections Publishing Group, LLC
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