A Point of View
Everybody has a point of view. Everybody has an opinion ...
“A famous bon mot asserts that opinions are like arse-holes, in that everyone has one. There is great wisdom in this… but I would add that opinions differ significantly from arse-holes, in that yours should be constantly and thoroughly examined.
We must think critically, and not just about the ideas of others. Be hard on your beliefs. Take them out onto the verandah and beat them with a cricket bat... Be intellectually rigorous. Identify your biases, your prejudices, your privilege.”
Tim Minchin
Your opinion can influence your point of view. How you see your relationships with others, and this, in turn, can influence how you may treat others. In times of crisis, it often brings out both the best and worst in people. Lately, I have heard of some terrible ways people are treating others at supermarkets and with other essential staff that are still working. Shame on you if you have pushed, scoured, sneezed or anything else that would be considered to be unkind or disrespectful to others. We must rise beyond this gutter approach and choose to be the best people we possibly can be to others and to our local environment. Counter to this I have seen and heard of amazing things people are doing, like getting shopping for neighbours, conversing at a social distance, delivering goods to those in need - elderly, children and families, and all the amazing health and wellbeing sessions that are being offered online for people to keep active. This is what we should be doing - supporting others, being kind and helping where we can.
So let's bring out the best in us. Let's keep our opinions and our point of view real, authentic and uplifting for others. Lets all rise to the challenge and be the best we can possibly be.
I consider what a point of view is in terms of photography. Below is a definition to help.
A Point of View
The point of view highlights the relationship between the photographer and the scene they are photographing. For example, a scene photographed from a short distance will express closeness to the elements of the photo. A scene photographed from further away will convey a sense of distance.
So it is the relationship between the photographer and the scene you are photographing! In this blog, I have three images that have three different points of view, defined by the relationship between photographer, subjects, and equipment. There is also the experience and story behind each image and why I took them.
Cover Image
Panasonic, G9, f/10, 25sec, 15mm = 35mm, ISO-200 - 'Boat House'
It was recently a stunning evening that cleared. Keen to get air from the cabin we headed on down to this close location. It is special for us and I am sure to many others. Being by the water is replenishing for the soul and so we soaked up the last rays of the day. To best represent the stillness and tranquility I took this image. It has distance and space around it with the main subject anchored by the boat shed. The dark water gives a broody mood and has a nice contrast with the white shed. I have used a wide-angle lens i.e. 35mm that allows a wider view and distance within the image.
Panasonic, G9, f/1.4, 1/500sec, 56mm = 112mm, ISO-100 - 'Portrait of Jo'
This was a photographic project where I wanted a portrait of Jo using what I term as garage lighting. I used an opening in the bush with a darker background. I had jo step into an area where the light fell on her face but ensured she did not have to squint. No need for flash as I darkened the shadows in post-processing and with such a wide aperture it gives a lovely softness around her face. It is a close and intimate image that I have learned how to get the best from, photographing Jo. I am physically close to Jo to get the image and so my point of view is quite close. The use of this particular lens allows me to operate close to my subject and keep a close connection.
Panasonic, G9, f/6.3, 1/500sec, 400mm = 800mm, ISO-800 - 'Cormorant'
Today as we were out walking we came across this young Cormorant on the road. It was in a sad state and the little creature was not well. Hard to say why - hit by a car, fell out of the tree, eaten plastic, broken wing? Either way, we do not have much hope for it and it demonstrates the harshness of life. Life is not meant to be easy and I find many people do not understand this.
Still, the image represents how the bird was displaying in its present state, its head hanging down. Although there is a close relationship between the photographer and the subject through the lens, allowing me to see detail, the physical relationship between myself and the bird is at a large distance. The equipment allows me to do this with a 400mm lens and a micro four-thirds sensor doubling my focal length to 800mm. This way I can frame an image very close, yet allow the wildlife to experience physical distance and safety with minimal influence from me.
There was not much we could do for this critter and we just hope it is not attacked and people respect its bubble in dealing with its own destiny.
Andy`s Photography Tip: 'A Point of View'
Consider your photography as art! One of the guidelines from my blog on April 2 when composing an image was;
4. A Point of View
Questions to ask yourself that may help;
- What is your relationship with the scene you are photographing?
- If it is close or at a distance what is that relationship?
- and ask yourself why are you photographing that scene. Is your relationship respectful? Does it uphold the mana of your subject with what you might do with that image?
I have many images no one has ever seen. It would not be respectful for any relationship to use these and as a photographer, this is important to hold yourself to these ethics.
Please put a comment or emoji below. If you have any questions pop them in the comments box below or send me a video with your questions via Facebook - keep taking photos and get out there!
Andy Thompson