Superhero Photo Challenge: Get a new perspective

I adore this photo from a recent portrait session. We had been shooting belly photos and family photos for hours already and I was getting that anxious, oh-my-god did-we-get-the-shot-yet? feeling and don't let on that you're not sure, just keep shooting! And smiling.

We went outside and I was immediately intimidated by the light. Bright sun, little garden with narrow paths, not the big expanse of green (and shade) I was hoping for. I began plotting my speech about how I could come back to do a re-shoot if we didn't get what we were hoping for...

At some point it occurred to me that when you're stuck, it's time to get a new perspective. I laid on the ground and looked up at her belly and was so delighted by what I saw. I hadn't really noticed how BIG she was until that moment and how amazing and beautiful and hilarious it was. From this place of total delight and seeing her anew, we were able to get some really fun shots.

I am a life coach as well as a photographer and so much of our training is about getting our clients to see their lives or a situation from different perspectives. This is how we have breakthroughs and discoveries! Whenever we are stuck, it is likely that we are literally stuck in a perspective, or a way of looking at things. Don't you love that moment when you say, I've never thought of it quite like that... and how it kind of blows your mind wide open? That's a new perspective.

Your challenge this week is to try out a new perspective with your camera. Lay on the ground and look up at the sky, climb a tree, get in the grass and look through the blades, put the camera on your head, spin around, don't look through the lens at all... Show me some wild perspectives, ones that make me say, I've never looked at it quite like that before...

Comments

[Emily]

Oh, I love this. It's such a bold take, and she looks so happy, and yet it's all so very natural.

[emily looman]

i can't wait to tackle this challenge! i love that it applies to life in general.

[Lawyer Mama]

Oh, this should be fun!

I love that shot & the sunflare is wonderful!

[Margaret]

That's a great shot. Just the other day, I was taking pictures of the girls at the park, but wanted something different. I sat down on the ground in front of Moe on the swing and started snapping away. I got this picture as she swung forward and was about to hit me. I love the way it came out. http://mylife-whirlwind.blogspot.com/2008/04/playing-hookey.html

[Marcie]

Alwyas good to take a different point of view:

http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2007/05/rain-dancing.html

[Jen]

What a lovely picture! This will be a fun challenge!

[Jen Hunter]

Thank you for liberating me with this post!!! I often feel stuck,especially during sessions like the one you describe. What an awesome reminder to just take a breath and regroup. And perhaps put the camera on my head. I love that...ha!

[Ginny]

Love the picture, it's gorgeous! I had some fun with this on the playground the other day...

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2008/04/shutter-sisters-new-perspective.html

[megan]

i desperately need a new perspective in my photography, so this will be a great challenge for me. i did try one earlier this week...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganmona/2399583701/

[Kate Baumert]

http://happyinthehamptons.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-perspective.html

Always a good idea! :)

[Shelli]

Great photo!

I've been doing this a lot lately! I think because I rarely go beyond my own yard with my camera, and I'm wondering, what in the heck do I shoot next?

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#17

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#18

[natala]

First off - I love that photo!

Here is my new perspective.... go ahead sit on the ground, it won't hurt you ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheart/2408568582/?editreplace=1

[Raven]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justexpressive/2407882961/

Here is one I took this morning with a new perspective :)

We were waiting for the Cystic Fibrosis Walk to start and had some time to kill so I was snapping away.

[Erin {Green Eyed Girl}]

Love that picture!

Here is my entry: http://greeneyedgirl22.blogspot.com/2008/04/superhero-challenge-get-new-perspective.html

[Shelly]

Cool photo. Here is my attempt. I've actually created a new blog just to post photos. You've inspired me!

http://scenesfromeverydaylife.blogspot.com

[Denise T.]

Love the belly! I love that something as 'simple' as a new perspective can change our view.

Here's mine...

http://flickr.com/photos/dartist25/

[Anke]

This is fun! What a great shot you got there! Smiles, Anke ;)


http://ankemartin.blogspot.com/2008/04/shutter-sisters-new-perspective.html#links

[simply]

what a fun shot that is :o)

Here is one for ya...

"flying with the birdies"

http://simplytaken.wordpress.com/

~simply~

[Lawyer Mama]

Tried it yesterday!

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2411798707/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2411708491/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2411707663/

And on my photo blog:
http://lawyermamadabbles.blogspot.com/2008/04/superhero-photo-challenge-new.html

[Elizabeth]

Some of my favorite perspective shots are taking looking straight up into the trees above me:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2402442088/in/set-72157604489315532/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2299586276/in/set-72157604489315532/

[pooky]

A little late for the challenge, but here it is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/2411669090/

[Rachel Parton]

love finding different perspectives...

http://bp2.blogger.com/_A82vMg2siUo/R9nrI81MFxI/AAAAAAAAA00/63YbWzKQQ2o/s400/mar+08+281.jpg

[Katee]

I feel like I"m always going SOMEWHERE. This photo reminded me that I need to turn around and take the time to look back at where I came from. I took it through the sideview mirror of my car...a new perspective!
http://sk8skiier.blogspot.com/2008/03/fun-photo.html

[Cocoa]

Having little children around the house makes me realize that their perspective is vastly different from my own. Especially when I get comments about the size of my rear and realize it is right at their height and that is what they see. But, that's beside the point. :D

Here is one photo I love because I took a picture of my daughter's shadow instead of my daughter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7914841@N08/2251900194/

[Lisa]

At a recent trip to the beach I became obsessed with laying the camera on the ground (or as close to it as I could) and setting the timer. Risky business when near the water! I was very pleased at the results...I saw things from a whole new perspective...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25509194@N08/sets/72157604539667623/

[Bethiclaus]

Beautiful picture. It's much more bold a belly picture than you generally see. The weather thwarted my plan to really get out there for a change of perspective, but I have a less-exciting attempt from the comfort of my own living room.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethiclaus/2413980649/

[Angela Giles Klocke]

An oldie will have to suffice since time is so short this week and for a while...
http://angelagilesklocke.com/blog/2008/04/15/get-a-new-perspective/

We could all stand to get a new perspective every now and then!

[Kim]

bellies provide such great inspiration.i love that shot and the star of ligh through the plant.

here's a perspective through a fish tank.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9032846@N03/563516223/

[Katie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89523496@N00/2419393472/
http://breathingpeace.blogspot.com/2008/04/superhero-photo-challenge-april-11-2008.html

Spring is in full bloom and the trees are fun to look at from below :o)

[jill s]

i love this post...
and i love taking risks in my photography.
laying on the ground...standing up high.
here is one i snapped a few minutes ago...
laying on the ground looking up at my little sweetheart.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8082851@N05/2418835419/

[Naomi]

Here's my new perspective:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2281249946/

I like the idea of looking up for a change as opposed to always looking down.

[jen]

Im new to photography
Im hoping as I follow this passion I will get better
mines up