2017 Creative Photography Challenge--May

It's that time once again...the end of a month and a new challenge are just days away. For May our challenge is:

Perspective

​Perspective is the point of view in which we see something. A lot of times when taking pictures, we stand where we're at, put our camera up to our eye level and shoot away. This can get old quick. Think about it this way: as humans, we often see the same things from the same vantage point, and after awhile it starts to look similar and unexciting, even if the moment or subject is exciting.
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To remedy the boredom of the same picture that everyone else has taken and shared, try taking it from a perspective that most people don't normally see it from. This can better engage our viewers to feel a pull to your images, because there's something a bit different and exciting about them!
The thing I love most about this challenge is that it doesn't take a ton of extra time, no extra supplies or knowledge needed, and you can do this with a phone, a camera or any other device that takes pictures!

​The main point of this challenge is to get us thinking out of our normal modes of shooting. All too often, we see a subject and snap away at it without thinking if there is a better or more interesting angle that we could use.
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When I was first learning photography, I remember reading somewhere (though I can't remember where to give proper credit...) that once you take a picture of something, don't turn your camera off, but rather think of a different way you can approach the same subject. Take a few (or more!) steps to the side, try from above or below, what about from underneath or closer up?

Some things to think about with perspective:
​Changing your perspective is going to take some thinking and some extra time. It will take some observing what you can about your subject. Think about the way the background could look different, or the way the light may be hitting your subject. Sometimes a different perspective can completely change the story of your image.
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If you mostly photograph children and/or pets, think of an activity they love to do, then get them going on it. Take 10-15 minutes and take pictures from every angle while they do this activity--from one side, from the other side, from up above or behind them, close up and far away. Remember to crouch down to their level, to show how the world looks through their eyes. Think about adding elements that help tell a story, or look for ways you can simplify the scene by singling one small thing out.

If you love to photograph nature, think of one subject and find some different angles that you haven't thought of before. Always shooting from eye or tripod level gets kind of boring, but what if you shoot from the ground level instead? Or walk around your subject, shooting it though a different clearing or set of trees? Hike up a bit higher, or walk down a bit on the trail. Nature also makes some good macro and close up images, so get in close to show the details that we often miss. Or go opposite, and make your subject appear a lot smaller than normal by capturing a wide-angle look.
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If street or architecture photography appeals to you, try shooting from up above or lower than normal. A good excuse to see if you can get to the top of a new building, right?!? ;) Try different angles, or find a view of a building we don't normally see. Use the lines and angles to draw the viewer in! Look for a minor detail you may have missed before, and make it stand out as the subject!
Forced perspective is really fun when using architecture or nature (think of the illusion of a person holding the Eiffel Tower in their hand, or pushing the Leaning Tower of Pisa). I haven't done much with this before, but I want to try it this month. There are tons of ideas online that show this!

To participate this month on Instagram, please use the tag: #2017creative_perspective. In case you haven't heard, there is now an Instagram hub that goes along with the challenges! It's only a month old, and I've got a great team helping me out. We feature images that have been tagged, as well as share tutorials, lessons and tips on things that pertain to the challenge that month.  Go here if you'd like to follow along with us! We would love to have you! We will be focusing on different perspectives each week and have some guests lined up to give us all their take on shooting different perspectives! We will be announcing which themes for each week as the time gets closer.
If you're not on Instagram, we've started a Creative Inspiration Community page in FB so we can push our posts directly there. If you'd rather see posts there, find and follow the page here!
If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, and would like to, go here. It will send you to the FB group page, and you'll need to request to join. You will have to be approved before you can get in.
Thank you to all of you who have joined me in this challenge! It's been so fun to be inspired by your creativity, and learn along with you!