Sometimes I make up stories when I look at one of my photographs. I imagine an entire scenario and create relationships between elements in the image. Perhaps I will even attribute human emotions and intentions to inanimate objects.
That was the case with a photo that I took of two trees last Friday at Shenandoah National Park, the first image below. I described the trees in a Facebook posting with these words, “Bereft of leaves, aged, and perhaps in the process of dying, the trees seemed to be reaching out, branches touching and limbs intertwined, together forming a beautiful arch in the autumn sunlight.”
I chose to emphasize the touching branches, but what happens when you change your perspective? If you zoom in, you might get a shot like the second image below, where the trees appear to be side-by-side, but separated. Do you imagine a different scenario in your mind?
In the third image, we are looking at the same two trees from yet another angle and a third tree is now in the frame? Is the smaller tree an offspring, making this a family portrait?
As you can see, I am in a bit of a weird, whimsical mood this morning. Perhaps your mind works in a more serious and pragmatic way. Still, I wanted to demonstrate that there are multiple ways to capture a subject and I find that changing the angle of view is one of the simplest and most effective ways of doing so.
All too many of the people at the National Park would stop their cars at overlooks and take a single shot and quickly move on. You can probably guess that I tended to linger longer, seeking new perspectives and imagining new ways of seeing the scenery.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I am with you on this one Mike. I am a treeaholic! I can’t get enough of them and often wonder about what they have seen in their lifetime and what they think of it. I do it with wild animals too !
It sounds like we are kindred spirits, Helen. I too often what things l look like from the perspective of a wild animal and how they might be perceiving me or how they are interacting with other creatures in the wild.
I like the way you think, Mike. I like that yo take the time to see things from all angles. I think, extending that to people as well as nature is something more people should do.
Your post is timely for me. I mentioned yesterday how they’ve taken down some failing trees in the park I walk through most mornings. This morning, I noticed that I can see the flag in the actual memorial from angles I’ve never been able to see it from before.
Thanks, Dan. I totally agree with your comment about people–we all need to remember that there is more than one way to perceive a situation and the fact that someone else sees it differently does not make them wrong. (Not doing so creates the kind of demonization and polarization that seems to be the “norm” these days.) As for the flags, I love the fact that you feature the flag so often. As I think I may have noted, I served 20 years in the Army and am quietly patriotic. I grew up reacting negatively to the blind patriotism of “My country right or wrong” bumper stickers, but still strongly support the ideals on which this country was founded that are embodied in the flag.
This flag speaks to me, Mike. It honors every veteran (yourself included) and I can’t think of a better way to say thanks than to include it. To get the picture, I have to stop. When I stop, I have to think about the people who served.
Love this! A wonderful take on a different perspective.
Thanks. I had decided which photos to use for the blog today, but did not really know what I was going to say about them until I sat down at the keyboard and started composing text. My posts are often quite reflective of my mood at the moment that I write them.
Photos do have a way of prompting one to make up stories. That is yet another way the creative spirit emerges.
Fun post, Mike. I enjoyed your thoughts of each photo!
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Thanks, Mitzy. The post was a little quirky, but definitely was fun to write. I am glad that you liked it.
Terrific thoughts on perspective, Mike! As photographers, it is all too easy to forget to view potential subjects from different angles and views.
When I look at your first image, the song “Lean On Me” comes to mind.
The second shot evokes the feeling of individualism, even though we may be similar.
That third one… (forgive me) … The father oak gazed down at his son newly sprouted from an acorn and admonished him: “Remember my boy, as you develop into a proud and mighty Oak – don’t make an Ash of yourself”.
Thanks, Wally. I love your interpretations of the individual photos. When it comes to my normal wildlife subjects, I often don’t have too much choice when it comes to framing a shot, though it can be amazing sometimes to move just a little from side to side or up and down to change the view. I am not very experienced in taking landscapes, but enjoy the luxury of taking my time to compose shots.
Very nice Mike! Great series of images! Like your thought process of naming the images and of the composing of your images! Brought a smile to my week!
My mind works just the same. I enjoy seeing different perspective and marinating on the moment;not just click and run. I get lost in nature and my thoughts quite a bit. But it’s peaceful and good for the soul.