Greetings fellow users of the internet.
So, back in October of 2018, I had the pleasure of going up to two different prefectures in Tohoku. I already shared some of my more abstract images in the Long Exposure group (I think it was there). However, I didn't share the image I took in Yamagata because, to be honest, the conditions were not fantastic, and I wasn't entirely sure if I was breaking any rules to grab this shot, so I rushed. Needless to say, this is far from my best work, but I do think it is a useful way to show the importance of using perspective when possible. Now, I know many of you are well seasoned photographers, but I hope some of the people newer to photography will find this advice and example of composition helpful.
In the picture below, I've used my lens's wide(ish) angle to my advantage by placing it as close as possible to a tiny waterfall at a low angle to make it seem bigger than it actually is. This helped me add extra layers to the image, rather than just going for an image of the double waterfall in the background, which ran the risk of coming off a little flat, or boring. Upon my arrival, I started looking for compositions to feature the double waterfall, but nothing really jumped out as interesting, until I went down a little lower to take advantage of this smaller waterfall. Of course, I had to focus stack the image, but I just quickly took two exposures (I should have taken 3), and it was a rather quick and painless photoshop job to put them together. I took this at 17mm on a crop sensor (so it's closer to 25.5mm -- assuming my math isn't wrong... which is a bad assumption to make), so you don't really need a super wide angle to get a shot like this, most kit lenses will work.
So, for all the newcomers to photography, I recommend trying to use this kind of technique to your advantage. Next time you're out shooting a location, take a little extra time to try different perspectives that include foreground interests that can enhance the overall image.
I've also attached a quick screen grab of a video I look, to show the true scale of the foreground interest waterfall. I hope you can tell which image is which, haha.
ISO 100
F/7.1
17mm
4sec
Really cool! Just a little change in camera placement makes a huge difference. Even for seasoned photographers, always a good thing to review.
Yeah! It’s important to keep the simple things in mind, even as a seasoned vet, haha.
Your point is spot on. Perspective does matter. Thanks for your sharing.
Thanks! It’s something I’m paying more and more attention to, these days.
Love that second image, Jordan! ;-)
I think that second photo may be my magnum opus, haha.