How to See Like a Photographer - Part 5
BREATHE IN NATURE
Making sense of all our senses.
We explore how to integrate information from all five senses to deepen our understanding and representation of a scene.
WE CAN SEE MORE WITH OUR EYES CLOSED.
Remember the last time you navigated a trail and felt the gravel underfoot, heard the rustle of leaves, or caught the scent of damp earth? Or have you ever closed your eyes when you felt the wind to experience its invisible beauty? Nature’s invitation to see more often comes through one of our other senses. Learning to notice these multi-sensory markers enhances our visual experience and allows you to become a more perceptive and articulate reader of the world around you, both visually and emotionally.
A FACT OF NATURE.
Many ancient cultures not only used natural landmarks like rivers and mountains for navigation but also as storytelling elements, evoking emotions and keeping histories alive. Similarly, by incorporating all your senses, you can deepen the stories told by each scene you encounter, making them as multi-dimensional as nature itself.
GET OUT THERE AND START SEEING LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER
Lesson:
Understand the Multi-Sensory Grammar
Each scene is more than just a visual arrangement; it’s a sensory orchestra of sounds, smells, tactile sensations, and even tastes that enrich your experience. Learning to translate these into your visual understanding can help you not just see, but feel the full story each scene tells.
Thinking Exercise
During your next outdoor excursion, take a break and sit down somewhere if you can. Close your eyes for a long moment and focus on what your other senses are telling you. What can you hear, smell, or feel? How do these sensations change your visual perception when you open your eyes?
Take note of the new things you note in your environment.
Want more? Try this.
As you scan a scene, try to visualize what your other senses are experiencing. How could you capture the rustling of leaves in a still image? Can you make the viewer feel the grittiness of sand or the moisture in the air through contrasts and textures?
You are here
Navigation:
Contrast
PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINCIPLE JOURNEY
Contrast in photography refers to the striking difference between elements—think of a bright yellow flower against a dark green background, immediately capturing your eye. This difference, or “contrast,” can be in light and dark, varying colors, or dissimilar textures.
As you explore your surroundings, find and capture these contrasts: a rough, barky tree trunk hosting a smooth mushroom, or a shadow dramatically cutting through a sunlit path. These visual opposites not only make your photographs pop but also weave an intriguing visual story, turning everyday scenes into extraordinary snapshots.
This week, take a moment to notice and note these vibrant contrasts around you. How does contrast affect a scene and make it interesting?
PATH NAVIGATION
Color
Light and Shadow
Depth
Patterns
Contrast
Frames