We each have a life story, penned without ink, read by the people around us. Who's writing your story?

Monday, November 11, 2013

Perspective

Sweet Sixteen. How did sixteen years slip by so quickly? I'm not sure, but this birthday needed a celebration. So, with a little brainstorming, our daughter and I came up with a plan to celebrate with a few of her girlfriends.

What teenager doesn't want to take great photos to post on facebook or share with family and friends? So . . . on the appointed day, we asked each guest to bring a camera. Kim, our photographer friend (PS Impressions Photography), gave some tips on how to take a good photo. She talked about lighting and how to work with shadows. She discussed balance and the law of thirds. She also gave some insight into viewpoint or perspective. "Choose one subject," she challenged the girls, "and take four photos from different perspectives. Rather than just shooting from eye-level, consider photographing from the side, from the back, from high above, from ground level, from far away or close up. Be creative. See what you can do."

And they did!

After a trip to the local drug store to develop each one's photos, the girls gathered around our dining room table. Each used an 11 x 14 inch canvas, paints, ribbon, buttons, etc. to create a background for their four prints. What a diversity of finished products! Each one captured her subject from various perspectives with wonderful creativity.

I think the way we view life is a little like those four photos. The same "subject" or circumstance can be seen in various ways, depending on our perspective. Will we look through the lens of gratefulness or drudgery?  Will we work to see the positive or settle for the negative? Can we intentionally view our life stories from another angle? A higher perspective, even on the days when everything looks grim?

The next time I take a picture, I want to remember what I learned about photos--and perspective. Elisabeth Elliot wrote, "The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances" (Keep a Quiet Heart, page 20).

What's your perspective?





6 comments:

  1. I love those photos with one person's head superimposed over another person's body. They remind me how out of place or fake we seem when we're trying to be someone we're not.

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    1. Another good lesson from the world of modern photography. Thanks, Sherry.

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  2. You always have a great perspective, Sarah.

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  3. Love the quote and that Kim got to teach a bit of photography to the girls. What a lovely idea for a b.day party!

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    1. Elisabeth Elliot always brings her readers back to the basics. Her viewpoint has helped me realize what's really important down through the years - improved my perspective. We named our Elisabeth after her.

      And yes, the girls had a nice time celebrating "sweet sixteen!"

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