What will be your vantage point for the next story you tell? Will your perspective be up close and personal or will you tell your story about the big picture, taking the long view?
Susan says, “These photos illustrate the two different types of stories that you might tell in your next presentation: the close up and the long view. The impact of perspective on a story is profound. A long view allows the viewer to assess size, importance, value, relationship. The long view allows room for judgment, criticism, analysis. While the close up gives details about structure, contours, intention. “He’s lost his perspective,” they say. Meaning he no longer has the ability to judge without bias, he’s become entangled with the subject by becoming too close and can no longer think critically or clearly. Looking closely involves striping away the superficial or the extraneous. Which perspective will you use in your next story?”
Lucia says, “My perspective on this scene changed dramatically when I chose to zoom in for a close-up. It went from a street scene to and abstract. I agree with Susan that the long view allows room for much speculation. But you can become lost within the close up, which allows for a different view by going deeper. The wide shot brings up tangible, physical, realistic stories. The close-up, on the other hand, is full of possibilities with no boundaries. The reflections within the distorted glass panes open up a world of ethereal, fantastical stories. Both approaches are valid. You have to decide which works best for your message.”
