Tripods are set up. Some are using long lenses, but most of you are using your best wide angle lens. There’s a little chit chat about what aperture is being used. What shutter speed is being used. Are you using Aperture or Shutter priority or are you one of those who insists on Manual as the only way take a photo? That debate can carry on for some time, but right now the conversation is light awaiting the “moment”.
Then it happens. Who shot first? Doesn’t matter as the sound of shutters clicking breaks the morning silence. Now all 50 of you have the same photo. Is that really what you want? Yes, I know, the one that is the same as the crowd is a really good photo. There’s a reason the vista point is there, it’s a beautiful view and makes a nice photo.
But is that really what you are after? I would say perhaps, but probably not.
Solution! Find a different point of view. What can that be? Let’s think about that.
First, can you get any higher? This is always a good thing to take note of. Many times it requires climbing that others are not willing to do. You still get the iconic shot but from a different perspective. (There’s always a disclaimer: don’t put yourself in danger when trying to get the better perspective.) As an example, this photo is Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park. An iconic scene to be sure. There were at least 50 or more cars parked there with everyone set up for their shots at road level. The road is about 50 feet above the river level. I decided to climb about 50 feet up the hill on the other side of the road to get a little different shot than the others. It wasn’t difficult but myself and one other person were the only ones there. I think it was more than worth it.
Sometimes you might also be able to get lower than where most folks are taking their photos. At this same point on Oxbow Bend I went down the river bank to get right at river level. The reflection at this point was better than from the road. Again, not so easy to get to but gave the unique perspective. And again, I think a better perspective than what could be had on the road 50 feet above me.
Then there is the option to get lower than the standing height, either on your knees or lying flat on the ground. Either way you get a look that few others see. These spots will give you more of the scene above your subject than what you would get otherwise.
Don’t worry if while you are down there you think how silly this must look, it’s worth it. Sometimes this is referred to as “the worm’s eye view”.
Finally, take stock where everyone else is or where the defined vista point is, sometimes outlined with fences, etc. Then move right or left away from that point, taking stock of the scene at various points to see where the new perspective gives you something that few others will see. It might be 50 feet or maybe 50 yards or 500 yards, but challenge yourself to check it out. You can always go back to the viewpoint if it doesn’t work out. But more often than not you will be pleased with the result if you make this effort.
This photo was also taken at Oxbow Bend in the Tetons. However I moved about a quarter mile south of where everyone was parked to get Mt. Moran through these Aspens. This photo, "There's Gold in the Tetons" was one of the top 25 finalists of the 2019 Outdoor Photography Magazine's Great Outdoors Contest.
A second final thought, don’t forget to look behind you. Many times when shooting a sunset, the best shots might be behind you especially if there are clouds around. Also, sometimes the scenery behind you is just as spectacular as I found in Capitol Reef National Park. I was shooting some sunset photos at a location called Panorama Point. I got some nice shots there but when I turned around to go back to my truck I came across one of the photos I like most from this past trip. It doesn’t have a name, not considered “iconic”, but the layering in the scene captivated me.
May I offer a third final thought, and I promise this is the last one. Think “panorama”. With the abilities of Lightroom or Photoshop, stitching together several photos to get a panorama is really easy. This was one of many that I took on this trip. Here are the Badlands of South Dakota. And this photo is the first one I hung my wall at home from this trip.
It’s all a matter of perspective. Don’t be afraid to change yours. I think you will be pleased with the results.
Please visit us at Don Peterson Photography to see more of these.
I hope that all of you will have a merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. Take care everyone and may God bless you in the year to come.
|