Framing an image and a narrative calls for a specific choice of perspective, say student photographers and writer
Describing perspective as the crux of storytelling, student photographers and a student writer from BYU–Hawaii said it has the power to shape emotional depth, reliability and overall impact. The audience’s experience of an artwork is shaped by the artist’s chosen perspective, making it a crucial part of their craft, they said. As they put it, both photography and literature benefit from an artist’s ability to choose the right point of view.
On the Writer’s Digest website, author Kerri Schlottman’s take on perspective reads, “It’s the magic of character development and what brings the storyline to life by inviting readers to understand why and how characters behave and how they interact with one another.” She says perspective, in literature, determines the readers’ level of engagement with the text. According to the student photographers, this principle applies to photography in just the same.
Intentional positioning
Manuarii Tefan, a senior from Tahiti studying business management with marketing emphasis, said the choice of angle and framing plays a crucial role in storytelling through photography. “For example, shooting from a low angle can make a subject appear more dominant, powerful or significant, while a high-angle shot can create a sense of vulnerability or insignificance,” he explained. Tefan said a photographer can guide the viewer’s focus, emphasizing certain elements while downplaying the others, through intentional framing.
He shared he has been doing photography for a long time, and with his experience, he discovered the potential for dynamic and layered storytelling by capturing photos of the same subject from different perspectives. “For example, if you are photographing a couple getting ready for their wedding, each shot taken from a different angle or moment reveals a unique aspect of their story,” he said. Each image offers a fresh interpretation, whether it is an intimate close-up of a shared glance or a wider shot of the exciting preparations, he explained.
Tefan said his craft centers on capturing photographs with intent. “Before I even start, I have a clear vision of what I want to highlight and the emotions I want to convey,” he shared. For instance, if he is visiting a location with a famous landmark, he might go for a wideangle shot to fully catch the setting’s grandeur, whereas at a wedding, he might often opt for tighter shots to focus on small but meaningful details like the bride’s intricate pieces of jewelry, he explained.
“Tighter angles feel more intimate. They feel more like you are there at the moment,” he stated. He noted this in contrast with wider ones, saying wide angles make the viewer feel more like an observant rather than a participant. He said both perspectives serve a purpose, and the choice depends on the story the photographer wants to tell and the level of connection they want to achieve. “I tend to prefer wide angles—somewhere in the medium-wide range—because I can capture a subject while still providing a strong sense of their environment,” he expressed.
Seeing beyond the surface
Jezel Ann Asong, a freshman from the Philippines majoring in psychology, said specific choices in perspective allow the viewer to see the image beyond its surface. “For example, in portrait photography, different angles can reveal unique aspects of a subject’s emotions and personality,” she shared. A slight tilt of the camera can emphasize vulnerability, while a head-on shot can convey confidence, she explained. “And a sideways angle not only showcases body shape but also adds depth and dimension to the composition,” she added.
Photography goes beyond creating a visually appealing image because images can also serve as a means for storytelling, she stressed. She shared she always decides on the angle based on the story she wants to tell. “My process typically starts with crafting the story first, then selecting the shot that best supports the narrative,” she shared. She said she ensures intentional meaning and depth for each image with this approach, guiding her creative choices for her photos’ themes.
As someone with a deep passion for literature, she said creative writers’ artistry significantly shaped her approach toward photography, inspiring her to blend visual storytelling with written narratives. “I aim to create images that not only capture moments but also evoke emotions and deeper meanings,” she shared.
Participating in the page
“I think perspective shapes how deeply readers can step into another’s shoes and experience the story from within,” said Kimiye Westover, a senior from Arizona studying business management with a concentration in human resources. For more personal connection and relatability when writing, she said she leans towards a first-person perspective, but if she thinks the story is best understood from a broader, more detached viewpoint, she said she opts for third-person.
Studying creative writing as her minor, she said she has come to understand assessing the emotional connection helps her determine the most effective point of view to use in storytelling. “That’s why I find stories with alternating POVs so compelling—when different chapters are told from different perspectives, it allows readers to see different sides of a story,” she expressed. She said it adds depth and helps her gain a more complete understanding of the characters and their experiences.
“I believe a story’s meaning can change depending on the perspective in which it is written,” she added. For example, telling the same story from a man’s and a woman’s point of view would result in two very different narratives because men and women often perceive and experience the world in unique ways, she explained. She said perspective influences how a character interprets events, reacts to situations and navigates their environment.