A good photograph is knowing where to stand.– Ansel Adams
When I’m out shooting, my first instinct is to stand directly in front of my subject and shoot straight ahead at eye-level. But sometimes, this perspective is predictable and it often results in boring photographs. So, over time, I’ve learned to change my perspective and “work” a shot from a variety of angles. By getting down low, looking up, or taking a variety of shots as I walk around the subject, I’m able to find the best perspective. This has helped improve my shots and create photos which are more interesting and better convey what I have in mind as I take the photo. Here are some examples:
Getting Down Low
Last week, we explored the Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, where early blooms were just starting to appear. I took several shots of the camellias and azeleas at eye level, before discovering this lantana plant just beginning to flower. After several shots, I decided to kneel down and shoot. I like this perspective, because it clearly shows the flowers just beginning to open. It also highlights the shape of the petals and more details.
Looking Up
On a recent walk in Charleston, South Carolina, we stopped by the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the site of a tragic shooting in 2015, when a white supremacist killed 9 parishioners during a Bible study session. The sadness was still palpable as we stood outside the church. By looking up, I was able to capture the sharp angles of the church and spire and the somber stormy sky. This perspective helped to convey the mood of the place.
Looking Down
Here you can see a camellia flower in full bloom at the Magnolia Plantation, also in Charleston. By looking down at the flower, I was able to capture the delicate white center and the edge of the petals just starting to wither. This perspective allows the viewer to see the entire bloom.
Walking Around the Subject
While we were at Middleton Gardens in Charleston, some sheep wandered through a fenced in pasture. I took a dozen shots of the animals–some in pairs and some in groups, before settling on this image, which includes both the sheep and several of the outbuildings. I liked the way the sheep were grouped together. In other shots, the sheep were spaced too far apart and they looked “lost” in the open field.
For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #86, we invite you to break the habit of shooting photos at eye-level and change your perspective. Instead, show us your photographs taken from a variety of perspectives–by getting down low, by looking up at the subject or looking down, or walking around the subject. We’re looking forward to seeing your “new” perspectives!
We all enjoyed Tina’s wonderful Treasure Hunt challenge last week. Your posts are always unique, often surprising, and always creative.
Have You Seen These?
- David M’s collection combines many treasure hunt items in beautiful ways
- One Letter Up shows us a varied collection of treasures, including a wonderfully expressive dog portrait
- Woolly Muses goes above and beyond with his complete collection of treasure hunt items.
A Special Announcement: All of us at Lens-Artists are delighted to announce that the March 7th challenge (#87) will be hosted by our special guest host, Miriam Hurdle at The Showers of Blessings Please be sure to visit Miriam’s site on Saturday, March 7th to view her challenge. For the rest of March, we’ll follow our usual weekly schedule:
- March 7–Miriam of The Showers of Blessings
- March 14 – Ann-Christine of Leya
- March 21 – Amy of The World is A Book
- March 28– Tina of Travels and Trifles
As always, Amy, Tina, Ann-Christine, and I look forward to seeing your creative responses to this week’s challenge and thank you for your support. I hope this week is filled with inspiration and good health for you and your loved ones.
If you want to read more about perspective in photography, click here to view an article from the Digital Photography School.
Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
I especially like your sheep, Patti 🙂 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
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Thank you so much, Jo! Wishing you the same. I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine!
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Very inspirational. Thanks.
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Thank you, Dawn. I’m looking forward to seeing your inspiration, too!
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Another interesting prompt. Thanks for the mention, Patti.
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Thanks, David! You’re very welcome!
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Great theme idea! I’ll look into my photos soon 🙂
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Great, Tatiana. I’m looking forward to seeing your post.
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Here it is 🙂 http://vegasgreatattractions.com/stratosphere-tower-las-vegas-jumping-down-from-the-top-of-the-world/
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This is a great challenge and a good reminder to try didderent perspectives when taking photos. Of these photos looking up at the church is my favorite.
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Thank you, Beth.❤️ I was very moved by the church. I am glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Patti, for this wonderful idea https://solaner.wordpress.com/2020/02/29/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Thanks, Andre. I am glad you are joining us!
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I like your photos looking up, Patti! I’m very busy with some other personal things right now, but I”d like to participate in this challenge with a quite recent post with photos and gift ideas looking up to the highest “Sky-jump” in N.America, from my Las Vegas website: http://vegasgreatattractions.com/stratosphere-tower-las-vegas-jumping-down-from-the-top-of-the-world/ 🙂
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Hi, Tatiana. I enjoyed your shots from Vegas. Great perspectives/
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Great topic, love the sheep one as well.
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Thank you, Lily. I appreciate that! The sheep are as curious about us as we are about them!
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Very beautiful photographs!💜
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Thank you so much, J. I am happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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gorgeous Patti, love the sheeps!!!
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Hi, Cybele. Thank you! I’m delighted to hear from you. Aren’t the sheep great? I love their expressions.
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This is a cool challenge, and I love your choices Patti.
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Hi, Su. Thank you, Su! I hope you join us. 🙂
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I hope to. Time (or perhaps time management) is not my friend at the moment.
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Love your examples, Patti. 🙂 That first shot is especially interesting.
janet
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Thank you, Janet! I’m glad you like the church shot. It was chilling, given its sad history.
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I really like the church shot.
The part that’s visible feels quite large and almost as though it’s leaning over.
Here’s mine for this week:
https://stupidityhole.wordpress.com/2020/03/01/bare-island-bridge/
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Hi, SH. I’m glad you like the church. I think you’re right. It does look like it’s leaning. I wanted to show its fragility after the mass shooting. I’m glad you added your perspective to our challenge!
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These are beautiful photos! Thank you for showing us looking up, down… A great theme, Patti!
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Hi, Amy. I’m so happy you like the photos and the theme. :). It’s been a fun challenge for me, too. I love seeing so many different perspectives from our participants.
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A wonderful photography lesson!
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By Patti, I love the church – such a sad event in our history. Thanks for the great challenge – I had fun with this one 🙂
http://i-choosethis.com/2020/02/29/lens-artists-86-change-your-perspective/
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Hi, Pam. That’s wonderful! I had fun, too. 🙂 I enjoyed your post!
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Haha, this challenge might make me dizzy especially walking around. Love them ewes, Patti.
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Hi, Perpetua. Yes, it could make you dizzy! It’s a lot of fun, too. Aren’t the sheep cute? (I never thought I’d ever say that!). Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
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This one was quite the challenge Patti. Here’s my take.
https://lifeinmyyears.com/2020/02/29/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Hi, Paulie. I loved your post. Great job! I’m glad you enjoyed it, too.
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This was a fun one to do! https://talesfrommylens.net/2020/02/29/once-there-was-a-princess/
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Hi, Kathleen. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. I enjoyed your post, too.
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Great photos and perspectives. I trust the many South Carolinians participating voted early and voted often. Lest we forget.
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Yes, John. They apparently did go! Thanks, too, for your thoughts on the photos and the challenge. Hope you’re doing well.
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Changing perspective is always a great idea, even for life.
Wonderful post! 🙂
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So true, Ana. It’s a great opportunity to grow and change. I’m glad you like this one!
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Patti, wonderful gallery … and fantastic topic. Your image with the sheep makes me think about Bach ‘Sheep May Safely Graze – one of my favourite classical pieces. Wonderful image.
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Thank you, Viveka! I’m delighted you like the photos and the topic. I loved the expression on the sheep’s faces. They looked so curious about us!
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Sheep are very curious creatures … so you are probably right.*smile – Patti, it was a very fun topic to work with. Thanks.
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A beautiful sequence Patti, I especially love the lantana flower and the image with the sheep and outbuildings is gorgeous! My contribution for this week’s challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2020/03/01/silent-sunday-between-lagoon-and-sea/
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Wonderful, Xenia! I am glad you like them. Great that you are joining us!
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This is a wonderful challenge. Those sheep are looking at you with quizzical eyes I think.
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Thanks, Anne! I agree. They are curious for sure!!
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As you know Patti, Magnolia is one of my favorite places in the low country, so glad you had a chance to visit while you were here. Your images perfectly convey your message about the importance of perspective – equally critical in photography and in life. Loved your challenge and especially your image of Mother Emanuel. There is definitely an air of spirituality there which is also seen in your image.
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Many thanks, Tina, for your kind words. Magnolia and Middleton were great. We enjoyed our time in your ‘neck’ of the woods! I can see why you love it there.
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You did us proud with this one, but I think you’ll need to return soon!
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Definitely, Tina! Thank you, too!
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Love this challenge, Patti! So well illustrated by your photos, and I love the idea of catching the mood of a place through the perspective chosen. Wonderful sheep and interesting lantana plant. I had never heard of it before! I went for flowers.
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/03/01/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Hi, A-C. It is always great to hear your thoughts!🙂The lantana is beautiful, isn’t it.
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Happy to communicate them, Patti! Thank you for a great challenge!
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Glad you like it!
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another excellent, well presented challenge.
https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.com/2020/03/on-knees.html
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Great, Klara. I am delighted you like it and you are joining us.
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Oh, brilliant, Patti! I must get working at this challenge
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Great, Sue! Wonderful.
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😊😊
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A wonderful theme, Patti. I must say the church is my favorite!
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Thank you!! I am glad you like the church. I was very moved by it. I hope you join us!
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Will do.
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Here’s mine: http://chava61photography.photo.blog/2020/03/02/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Hi, Chava. Glad you joined us!
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I enjoyed looking at your photos here. One of the sheep is really engaging. They are looking at you as much as you are looking at them. Here’s my response to the challenge – https://mappinguncertainty.wordpress.com/2020/03/02/a-change-of-perspective/
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Hi, Suzanne. Thank you! I loved their expressions, too! I’m glad you noticed that. I’ll take a look at your post next. Glad you joined us.
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I’m loving all your perspectives, Patti AND I had the greatest fun with this challenge. Thank you. https://tishfarrell.com/2020/03/02/windmill-hill-from-many-angles/
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Hi, Tish. Thank you! That’s wonderful. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.
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Great minds think alike this week! Gorgeous photos, Patti and I’m glad our photo challenges lined up! I can almost smell the fragrance of the magnolia from here! I have naturally been one to look up or down, close or far and get on sore, creaky knees to capture that one shot! Here is mine this week: https://secondwindleisure.com/2020/03/01/sunday-stills-photographing-near-and-far/
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Wonderful, Terri. I love when those synchronous posts happen! I’m glad you joined us. I’ll look at your post next.
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Hi Patti – crowd shots are difficult so your advice to move around until the perspective pleases is spot on as the sheep shot proves. Thank you for this prompt and getting me back in the groove after long holiday hiatus
https://poetrypix.com/2020/03/02/a-point-of-view/
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Wonderful, Laura! I am delighted that you like this one.
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I always enjoy playing with perspectives when I’m taking photos. Your set of photographs are great! The angles and the sky in the church scene definitely help convey the tone.
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Thanks, Amy!! (Big smile.).
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Hi Patti, I loved your photos for this week 😀
Here is my entry, Enjoy!
https://ceenphotography.com/2020/03/02/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Wonderful, Cee! I’m delighted. I am sure I will enjoy it.
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A wonderful theme and selection of images Patti.
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Thank you so much, Rupali. 🙂 🙂 I am looking forward to your post. Hopefully, you can join us!
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https://mazeepuran.wordpress.com/2020/03/02/change-your-perspective/
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wonderful photos and the theme has given me ideas!
my fav from your post was the opening flower – just blooming – with the cool lines beneath – and so much to enjoy with bits of dark and light…
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Hi, Yvette. I’m glad you like that one! I have just started to see the lantana in more temperate time zones and I’m fascinated with it. The colors and shapes are marvelous. Thanks for your thoughts!
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😊💚☀️☀️☀️☀️
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I like this theme of changing the perspective. I like the flowers. It’s true that when we look again from different angles, they are not the same.
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2020/03/02/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Thanks, Miriam. I am happy you like this one! It’s great when the theme jives with what others want to explore!
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You’re welcome, Patti for your inspiration!
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Here’s my perspective on changing my perspective:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2020/03/03/lens-artists-photo-challenge-change-your-perspective/
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Wonderful, David.
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Thanks Patti. It was a good challenge for unusual viewpoints. I thought of a few more after I had posted my response.
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Great theme for a challenge Patti 🙂
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I enjoyed your marvelous photos, Brian. I’m glad you joined us!
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Always a pleasure Patti 🙂
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I enjoyed your examples of perspective! Those sheep look like they want to ask a question 🙂 And the shot looking up does really create a somber mood, as you describe.
I often shoot up close looking down, so for this challenge I explored other perspectives.
http://oneletterup.com/2020/03/03/lens-artists-challenge-change-your-perspective
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Hi, OLU. I am so glad you enjoyed this one. I know what you mean about the sheep! Funny! I enjoyed your photographic experiment, too!
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Thanks 🙂 I’m glad you like mine as well. It was a fun challenge to take on!
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Hello again Patti, Eivor and Pearl’s contribution for this lovely challenge is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2020/03/04/wordless-wednesday-sun-puddling/
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I enjoyed it!
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A great challenge. I think it’s important to try different angles and ways of shooting a subject, in my response I also argue that editing choices can change perspective as well: https://wp.me/p2owKx-1wZ
Thanks as always for setting a challenge and then showing great examples from your own work.
Cheers, Amy
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I think you are right, Amy. Cropping does have an effect, too. That’s another challenge idea!! Glad you liked this one.😊
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Those are all great pictures to introduce your theme, which was thought-provoking. I’m relishing joining these challenges: the beginnings of turning me into from a snapshot-ist into – well, maybe a better snapshot-ist. Here’s my offering: https://margaret21.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/a-different-perspective/
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Welcome again, Margaret! Delighted you’re joining in the fun. I think I can safely say that we all learn a lot from this challenges. I love seeing everyone’s responses to the challenge and learn from them. I’m very glad this theme resonated with you. :).
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https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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I loved your aerial shot, Aletta. It pays to look up from time to time. Glad you joined us!
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Thank you so much for the great challenge, Patti
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I loved the church capture- the stormy sky and the story behind it truly conveys the mood like nothing else. The sheep of course was another delightful picture. Happy to have participated in this challenge.
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Hi, Sheetal. Thank you so much! I’m delighted you joined us, too!
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Another wonderful post and fun challenge. Thank you again and again!!!
https://lindylecoq.com/2020/03/05/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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You’re very welcome! Glad you joined us, too, Lindy!! I’m delighted that you are enjoying the challenges.
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Thanks for this great challenge, Patti. I really enjoyed it. I love your photos and the different perspectives you showed with them. Those sheep are like “what’s going on here?” 🙂 I stuck to your template really closely as you will see.
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Hi again, Tracy. Thank you so much for your thoughts (and compliments!) on the challenge and the photos. 🙂 🙂
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You’re welcome, Patti.
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Interesting theme. I’m showing perspective with examples of my door photos, hence the joint challenge post. I love your sheep!
https://mexcessive.photo.blog/2020/03/06/l-a-thursday-doors-5-3-20-change-your-perspective/
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Hi, Manja. I enjoyed your post, too! The doors of Rome are marvelous. I’m glad you joined us.
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Here is mine for the week
https://norasphotos4u.wordpress.com/2020/03/06/lens-artist-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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I’m glad you joined us, Nora!
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Well, here I am at last: https://suejudd.com/2020/03/07/lens-artists-photo-challenge-86-change-your-perspective/
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Hooray, Sue! I enjoyed your post.
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Thank you, glad you did, Patti!
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All of your photos are impressive, but my favorite is the church. I forget how easy it can be just to change where I stand when I take a picture, so you’ve inspired me to try something new. My blog is finally up and going again. I’d like to link to the Lens-Artists Photo Challenges at least once in a while, but I need help. How to I link to the original blog’s host? Do I include a copy of the link of that week’s original post somewhere in my post? With a little help, I think I would have fun joining you talented ladies!
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Of course! I’m delighted to help. I’m so pleased that you want to join us. To answer your first question, yes, you will include a link from the original post in your post. All you need to do is copy the url at the top of the page and paste link within your site. Here’s a link to some instructions: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/beginners-guide-on-how-to-add-a-link-in-wordpress/
If you need any more advice, just let me know.
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Thanks for the help. I’ve linked to other blogs before, but it’s been a while, and I just couldn’t remember how I did it. So glad you decided to have a focus for the week. I miss the ones WordPress used to create.
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