Adjusting Perspective

For the second year in a row, my son Siddharth and I took a short road trip to see the sunflower fields near Davis, CA. We like to time it so that we arrive just after sunrise. My son, a 21-year old college student, has a wonderful eye for photographic composition. He took a class in high school but it became a passion during the pandemic. I am more of an impulse photographer, lol.

When we reached our destination, he got out of the car and made his way across the dirt towards the rows of tall flowering plants. He walked along the edge of a field until he reached a point where he could look down between rows, and in the process, was rewarded with a lovely series of pictures. The sunflower rows form "leading lines," a photographic perspective/technique that encourages viewers' eyes to travel to the farthest point of the photo. One of Siddharth's photos is presented on the left.

In sharp contrast to Siddharth's inviting photo is one of mine on the right. My photo presents a sea of yellow sunflowers and green leaves, in a sort of agricultural version of "Where's Waldo." Pretty enough but rather busy and confusing, without a strong subject that draws your eye in and invites it to stay and look around.

It's rather satisfying that I've reached a stage of parenting where, on a daily basis, I'm learning important skills and perspectives from my adult child. Bravo, Siddharth. Keep up the good work. Having patience and an eye for detail will take you far.