Life is not only what we make it, but how we see it. You for instance, might come from a different point of view, or perspective than I do.

Photography is a scientific creation designed to capture a likeness of
what we see with our eyes. In that sense, photography has been
somewhat of a failure. I mean, if we all line up and make a picture of
the same rock, we will all have a picture of the same rock. But will
we have the same picture? Almost never.

Not only is photography a matter of perspective or point of view
in and of itself, but we can change lenses, our physical position in
relationship to the subject, and we can also find our own way, both
literal and emotional, to interpret each and everything we photograph.

Below are five images from five fine photographers. They each give us
a view into who they are, or at least how they “see” things.

This one is from my Flickr group Earth Images and was made by Tori
Andrews. The subject is a Long-eared Owl. When you photograph a wild
animal there is little that is more compelling than having it look
future viewers in the eye, and do so from eye level. I would imagine
Tori set her tripod to ground level and was sitting or laying in the
grass. The old log and the out of focus flowers are the icing on the
cake.

This is another point of view of another bird as given us by Brian
Sloan. This image is also from my Flickr group. I actually love his
perspective and his composition here. Point of view is partially a
result of composition.

This Greylag Goose may seem a small part of the image, but truly, every
eye that gazes at the photo will visit the goose, and return to it
again and again. I enjoy the space that the picture provides and love
the patterns on the pond.

Mike Moats is certainly one of America’s preeminent close-up
photographers, and this downward view a flowering plant is typical of
the powerful way Mike’s point of view works. This perspective is one
of order and neatness.

Guy Tal is one of my favorite landscape/abstract photographers. Lichen
is also one of my favorite subjects, and Guy has created a
masterpiece of composition. This is likely another downward view, but
there is no way to be sure. I love that bit of mystery that keeps this image
special.

Jennifer Wu is a landscape artist of the highest order. This image
which was made in Iceland, is magnificent. It is a window
to a sunrise and the starred sun, the clouds and the waterfall are all in
artistic balance. Her point if view, via her position, her choice of
lens, and her patience for just the right moment, make this image
special.

It’s all about perspective. Both the creators of imagery, and the
viewers of it have a right to find their own personal point of view.

Please excuse my showing these tired old images of mine in the company
of the brilliance you see above, but they do say a little about my
personal point of view.

The angle, position and lens you use with wildlife has everything to
do with your “literal” point of view. It also says a lot about your
personal, artistic point of view.

I got as low as I could get to make this picture of this female
Sharp-tailed Grouse in North Dakota. I was still a bit above her but I
was using a 500mm lens witch minimizes the up and down perspective as
long as you keep a little distance between you and your subject. This
photo is a crop.

I was very close to this immature Barn Swallow and shot the image from
a tiny bit below my subject. Part of our personal, artistic
perspective is unique compositions that reveal as much about who we
are, as they do our wildlife subjects.

I made this moody, misty image on an autumn lake in such a way, that
compositionally it reflects a perspective that flatters my subject,
and also satisfied my artistic tastes. I stretched the scene out with
an 18mm lens. The mood of the image, matched my own moody point of
view.

Go out and find your own point of view. .

God Bless,

Wayne