How to See Like a Photographer - Part 4
SEEING FEELINGS
Going beyond the obvious to discover the hidden layers of a scene.
This lesson will inspire you look beyond the surface to find hidden layers of a story or emotion within any visual context.
NATURE CAN BE A MIRROR TO OUR SOUL
As you paddle through a river winding its way through a dense forest, your eyes catch the sunbeams filtering through the canopy, casting golden spots on the water’s surface. This scene might evoke feelings of peace. But look below the water’s surface, and a complex world of rocks and aquatic life unfolds, perhaps making you feel curious or interconnected, or even dark waters that find you feeling somber or thoughtful.
Nature has a beautiful way of helping us understand or sometimes even just appreciate the complexity of our human condition and the emotions that come with it. Just like in life, each and every scene we encounter in nature is more than just its surface; it’s a multi-layered experience that we can learn to appreciate even if not all of it is easy.
A FACT OF NATURE.
While coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to an estimated 25% of all marine species. This vivid underwater world is a classic example of nature’s hidden layers, showcasing an intricate web of life that goes far beyond what meets the eye. Just like the coral reef, the environments you interact with daily have layers of stories and emotions waiting to be discovered.
GET OUT THERE AND START SEEING LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER
Lesson:
Peeling the Onion
Visual scenes often have layers, like an onion. As you learn to peel these layers, you’ll discover the complex stories they tell and how they speak to you.
Thinking Exercise
The next time you’re near a body of water, look beyond the surface. Try to visualize what might be happening underneath and imagine what amazing things you could see there. Or if it’s a puddle, don’t focus on the water, but on the reflections and what you can find there.
Want more? Here’s a fun one to try.
Look at a part of the scene that you enjoy, not because of how it looks, but because of how it makes you feel. Then pick a positive or negative thought floating around in your head and try to find something in the scene that identifies with that emotion. For example, does the water crashing onto the rocks remind you that even though life may feel crushing at times, it’s not going to wash you away? Make note of what you find.
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Navigation:
Patterns
PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINCIPLE JOURNEY
Natural patterns, like ripples in a pond or leaves on a plant, create a visual rhythm that enhances photographs, turning simple scenes into captivating images. Filling your frame with these patterns provides a sense of flow, guiding the viewer’s eye through the picture seamlessly. Even seemingly random elements, like scattered rocks, can provide a textured pattern, adding richness and intrigue to a photograph.
Always remember: Patterns not only appeal visually but also narrate a silent story of order and consistency within nature’s chaos.
This week, find and capture these patterns around you, transforming ordinary scenes into mesmerizing visual stories through the lens of pattern and repetition.
PATH NAVIGATION
Color
Light and Shadow
Depth
Patterns
Contrast
Frames