Point of View

As most people know and I am beginning to understand, photography is not just as simple as framing up your shot and snapping the picture.  There are so many different techniques that a photographer can and does employ to make a compelling shot that captivates viewers.  From the colors in the scene to the use of focus and blurring to the size of the subject versus the other elements in the scene, these and many more considerations can be made to make the most interesting shot possible.  Photographer Russ Burden, in his article “POV: Point of View Photography,” discusses just one more element/technique that can work to make a powerful photograph.

Burden says that the point of view from which the photograph is made can influence the viewer a lot about how they feel about or relate to the scene.  Making “point of view” shots can draw a viewer in, making him/her feel apart of the scene and the action.  They feel like they are looking at the scene through their own eyes and not through the lens of a camera.

Taking photographs of a scene from the standing position often results in a photograph that doesn’t give viewers a sense that they are actually there for themselves and viewing the scene through their own eyes.  There is more of a disconnect between the viewer and the scene.  To give this sensation and perspective, Burden explains several different methods.  Using wide angle or super wide angle lenses gives a large depth of field and a wide field of view, giving a view like one might see if there for themselves.  Burden also says that being low to the ground also allows viewers to see the scene from a perspective they are not used to and makes the viewer feel more present in the scene.  In nature photography particularly, photographing a subject from below normal line of sight makes the subject more impressive and significant.  It gives the viewer a feeling of insignificance, a feeling that otherwise is only felt when one is experiencing that nature scene first hand.  Photographing from this point of view works to inspire a greater sense of awe in viewers and forces viewers to see a subject like they have never seen it before.  This different perspective is what draws people in to a photograph and holds their attention.  Lastly, Burden also suggests that photographing subjects from a shorter distance will again make the subject seem more significant and awesome.  Getting the camera up close to the subject makes the viewer feel more apart of the scene.

Link to Russ Burden's article: https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/tips-techniques/photo-tip-of-the-week/pov-point-view-photography/