Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Stop And Smell The Flowers



Perspective is a funny thing. Because in photography we represent our three-dimensional world in a two-dimensional form like a print or on a computer screen, the relationship between subjects in an image can be distorted.

This shot of a brown bear in Alaska is a good example. While at first glance it might appear that the bear is sniffing the white flowers, in reality his head is about a foot or two in front of the plant.

It was just coincidence that I happened to trip the shutter when his head overlapped the flowers and created this illusion. I had been shooting him constantly as he walked along the grassy edge near the water and this is one in a series of images. 

It is not always easy to keep the three-dimensional versus two-dimensional representation in mind when photographing, but it is good to consider it when you can. Sometimes, as in this case, you will not see it until you view the image on a flat surface like your computer screen.

The other thing to keep in mind about dimensionality is that it is beneficial to attempt to provide a three-dimensional look to all your images. This is generally accomplished with good use of natural light and using depth of field to your advantage. If you do not understand depth of field, send an email to me at awakethelight@charter.net with “Depth of Field” in the subject line, and I will devote a future blog to that very important subject. For now just know that it is a very powerful tool in the quest to portray our three-dimensional world.  

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/500 sec.  Aperture f/8.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 400mm f/5.6L with 1.4x telextender for an effective focal length of 560mm.  Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”  -- John Lubbock

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