Changing viewpoints

One of the techniques in photography I always keep in mind is changing viewpoints. Why? Viewpoint gives a different slant to your photographic work. By looking through, up, down the subject or within the action will create different impressions of even the most mundane and simple subject like an architecture above.

Likewise, your choice of viewpoint will communicate subtle messages that say as much about you as they do your subject. By capturing the image of the Quezon Memorial Circle monument through its reflection on the eye of my fellow photographer tells me about wanting to convey a message in a different way, and it gives, as well, the impression that I consider how others look at the subject too. Thus, it gives more than one meaning to the photo.

I would say, changing viewpoints is not an easy thing to consider as one is limited by physical space. It is often hard to find the best spot where to take the photo. Sometimes, your search for an unusual camera viewpoint attracts unwanted attention from the people around you--this includes crouching on the ground, climbing up a wall, or shooting through, for example, a group of people, looking through a puddle.

Time has also a bearing on taking a photo from different viewpoints. If you have plenty of time to compose, you can explore almost any possible viewpoint.  That is why it is always best to be alone or with a small group of people rather than a big group like in a timed tour. If the subject you want to shoot, like the QMC monument, is just accessible and which you can frequently go to, it is more favorable for you, but not when the subject is located in another province or country.

Thus, it is always to keep in mind that you have several options to shoot a single subject.  It just takes some creativity and sometimes, even making a fool of yourself while trying to capture the photo from a different viewpoint.