I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri. Broadcast works a lot with the camera — and one of the most important lessons I ever learned was to shoot “through” things.
It completely changed my perspective behind the lens. It was one of those “ah-ha!” moments. Shoot “through” things. Things other people may not look at — it completely changed how I view the world.
Apply it to photography. See a cool shape? Shoot through it.
A fence or netting? Shoot through it.
A bride’s veil? Shoot through it.
How about a beautiful blooming flower? Find a space between the leaves and shoot through it to the subjects in the background.
And it can be subtle. I was squatting down in some tall grass to get this shot!
It’s not that every shot needs this “shoot through” treatment, but it should be a component to think about at every shoot. If you see your photographer squatting in the grass, or rolling around on the ground … they’re likely using this technique!
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