 |
| Look for different perspectives. |
One must know when to pull back—take a wide angle shot—to get
the big picture of what is going on. This is true in life and in writing, as
well. Look at a situation or scene in a general sense. Get a feel for place and
time, the major players, and what might be lost or gained. And would it be
worth the effort?
One must also know when to get close to a subject—to zoom in
and get a “head shot” of sorts. A closer inspection or more involvement is
sometimes required in life and in writing, too. In a personal way, this may be concentrating
on a relationship or a problem. In writing, it may be focusing in on a
conversation between two characters. It is about the perspective of the here
and now.
And then sometimes we need a macro or a more detailed shot
of something. Minute details are important and nothing is too small. In life
this is might be about doing something yourself, like making your daughter’s
prom dress by choosing the fabric, the pattern and sewing and fitting it
specifically to her. In writing, it may require detailed text about how a
character who had just lost her beloved dog picked at chipping nail polish
until all her fingernails were jagged red and partially bare—half exposed, vulnerable,
perhaps like her heart.
Knowing which angle to choose at what time makes all the
difference. I remember once I supervised a group of students at the school’s
beauty pageant. During the “big numbers” when all the girls were singing and dancing,
my journalism/yearbook students had no problem standing back and taking wide-angle
shots, but when it came to capturing the emotion on individual faces, they became
uncomfortable and wouldn’t walk close to the stage. I had to grab my personal
camera and stand by the stage to capture the anxiety and joy on each face. It
is that way sometimes in life and in writing. We become uncomfortable and don’t
want to get too involved. And at other times in life—with our families and our
jobs—we lose perspective of the big picture because we don’t want to stand back
and let go of the details.
So I said all this to impart my wisdom about perspective.
Consciously think about which is best for each situation. You could end up with
more understanding about your community, your job, your life and the people in
it. By adjusting the zoom, you could also end up with a better-told story. And ultimately,
you could end up with great photographs!
(lots of giveaways)
