Reversing Perspectives

"Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you."

~Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Most people go through life with the same perspective. We do have minor changes in perspective as we go from child to parent and student to teacher, but these changes usually happen subtly and without notice. The perspective that doesn't often change is the one you have in the constants in your life. If you are the "mistreated" you may tend to play that role your entire life. If you are interacting with your partner, parents or siblings you may never consider what the photograph may look like if they were holding the camera instead of you. OR, better yet, what if a third person was holding the camera?

Having the unique experience recently of carrying a camera most places I go, observing this in the human condition is amazing. When a person knows the camera is pointed at them, their behavior changes, their perspective is different. They think that someone is "watching them." The joy of taking a good photograph comes from photographing someone when they have no idea you are photographing them. Their perspective is their own and you are able to gain insight about them without any "performance." My perspective is what is captured in that photograph, but you can see things much differently when you sit back and observe. Moving around to find another camera angle or vantage point adds to the ability to view the situation. This act of observing is similar to considering others' perspectives.

Stop, breathe and look at situations and people from other angles and perspectives. You'll be shocked at the perspective you'll gain and the things you'll learn about yourself, your loved ones and the world around you.