*******************************
The Right Way to Travel, Weekly Photo Tip
March 21, 2007
*******************************
WHY SUPERMAN CAN TAKE BETTER PHOTOS… AND HOW YOU CAN, TOO
By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR
If you can make your photographs more unique, you’ll make them more salable too.
And one way to do that is to change your “perspective,” your angle.
You see, most people tend to photograph from their everyday perspective. In other words, they stand with their feet shoulder width apart and pull the camera up to their eye to take the shot. They may look to the right or to the left, but for the most part, they only photograph what’s straight out in front of them.
And I’m OK with that. Some of my best-selling photos were taken at eye level.
But sometimes, changing where you shoot from is better. Here’s what I mean…
(continued below...)
****************************************
*Highly Recommended*
OUR FULFILLMENT CENTER MANAGER THINKS WE’RE NUTS
“When you run a close-out sale I don’t believe there should be any returns or refunds. You’re trying to get rid of this product right?” -- Tom
Well, we ARE clearing the shelves to make room for new inventory.
And to do it, we ARE dropping the price of Big Bucks for Snapshots: 53 Can't Miss Techniques for Becoming a Money-Making Freelance Photographer.
But we're standing by our popular photo guide with our usual, rock-solid guarantee:
If you don't think the secrets you'll learn inside will help you earn back AT LEAST what you pay for this guide -- if not ten times that amount -- then send it back within 30 days. We'll send you a full refund, no questions asked.
For details -- and your special close-out discount -- visit: http://tinyurl.com/2ebhh7
****************************************
Take, for instance, this photograph I shot at eye level:
This is one of my best sellers on Istock.com. It has sold over 470 times. And it continues to sell today.
I shot a dozen or so pictures of these women at eye level, and I submitted my favorite to Istock. (I couldn’t submit every photograph I shot because they all looked somewhat alike.)
Until I changed my perspective that is. Take a look at this next shot…
We’ll call this “Superman’s View.” Superman may have the advantage of being able to fly overhead, but all I had to do here was climb a few stairs and shoot down. My camera was still up on my eye, mind you, but I was standing much higher than my subjects.
This picture has sold for me more than 300 times, and while it’s not as big a seller as my eye-level shot, it does represent 300 more sales than I would have gotten had I only shot these women at eye level.
So the next time you’re out shooting, ask yourself: What would happen if I took the same shot from a different perspective?
Can you go up a few stairs to get a different view? How about kneeling down or even lying down onto your belly?
Most people don’t do this. So if you can teach yourself to make this part of your regular routine, it’ll automatically give your photos an edge or advantage. That unique and often interesting point of view can translate into sales.
Here’s one more example…
Take this photo that was submitted for this month’s photo challenge:
It’s a clever shot (better yet are the title and description -- see www.thephotograherslife.com and look up this photo on the “Enter to Win" page to read them). But think of the various angles from which this shot could have been taken…
The photographer could have taken it from overhead, looking down on top of both frogs... or gotten in closer, right down on the same level as the live frog (that would be a belly shot for sure).
Or there might be a good shot from directly behind the frog -- filling the frame and focusing on the live frog, leaving the statue frog slightly out of focus in the background.
I can’t say for certain that any of these shots would be better, but I hope what you learn here is that you should start thinking along these lines -- think frog’s eye view and Superman’s eye view.
I challenge you to keep in mind that there’s more than one perspective to every photograph. Try a few variations every chance you get. At the very least, you’ll have more good images to choose from when you’re ready to sell them.
ENTER TO WIN!
The entries are rolling in for our March photo contest. The theme is "Communication" -- log on to our website at: http://www.thephotographerslife.com and register to win.
If you're a first-time user, you'll need to register first on the "register" link on the right side bar. Once you have a username and password, click "Enter to Win" to upload your photo. Only one photo per applicant will be considered. Theme closes on the 26th!
MEET SHELLY IN PERSON
If not Charleston, then Paris…
Travel writing and photography can provide an excellent means to transform your travels into paid vacations.
Join us in Charleston for next live photography workshop and learn how you can turn everyday pictures of simple household items into cash. It’s a great way to fund your travels before leaving home.
Or meet us in Paris where, for the first-time ever, we’ll be running a travel writing workshop simultaneously with a photography workshop. For details about these two events, visit:
Charleston: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/charleston
Paris: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/paris2007
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon specializes in people photography, what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits. She is known especially for her imaging of children. Her concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces. Her images have been seen all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, websites, ad campaigns, and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.]
*****************************************
The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.
This newsletter is coming to you because you are either a member of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program or Turn Your Pictures into Cash, or you have opted to receive information about getting paid to travel from the AWAI Travel Division.
(c) 2007 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com
To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com
