Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A Paradox of Perspective

Looking Up at a Street Lamp and Old Enquirer Building, Cincinnati, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


We journey through life perceiving our world mostly from "ground level". Opinions, beliefs, values and philosophies... our individual world view... are all based on this typical perspective.


View of Downtown and Ohio River Valley from Carew Tower, Cincinnati, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


But, from a drastically opposite perspective, our world looks completely different. Perhaps it is pleasant, or perhaps it is unsettling compared to what we are accustomed to or comfortable with. Call this new perspective an epiphany, a revelation, the light bulb over your head lighting-up, or simply another person's opposing world view. Regardless, the view expands our horizons.

Though both of these world views are radically different, both are true, valid, and exist simultaneously.

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26 comments:

  1. Lisa July 27, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Amazing POV. Love both shots. Fine work.

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  2. JoeJuly 27, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Wonderful shots. I particularly like the vertical view looking up the tower. I must remember to look up.

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  3. ChelseaJuly 27, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    These came out great!! I love the textures!

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  4. fabrizioJuly 27, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    in the first i appreciate this clever point of view with an impressive depth

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  5. cieldequimperJuly 27, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    No, I'm not feeling dizzy at all! Wonderful!

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  6. GinnieJuly 27, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    Perfectly said and shown, Doug. Always look up...something I often say. Sometimes we also need to look down!

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  7. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Great capture!
    And nice view
    Well done Doug!

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  8. Marie LCJuly 27, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    On the first one I like the sensation of dizziness which offers the composition and over the second the soft light which bathes the city

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  9. London CallerJuly 27, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    So is the same different?
    Or the difference is same?
    I'll have to ask another me in "the" parallel universe to answer these questions. Oh yes, why "the"? Can't we not have more than one parallel universe?

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  10. Rae WalterJuly 27, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    A great post Doug. Love the first shot especially and your words.

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  11. Frank de JolJuly 27, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Looking up and looking down, great idea for a presentation of two different perspectives and excellent shots !

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  12. brattcatJuly 27, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    things are definitely looking up in your world, doug.

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  13. brattcatJuly 27, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    please don't look down on me for saying that.

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  14. SabrinaJuly 27, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    che bellezza queste foto!!!!!

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  15. Andrey SamolinovJuly 27, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    gorgeous composition
    great shots

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  16. Luis GomezJuly 27, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Great post Doug -and so true-. Love your images of Cincinnati a favorite city of mine.

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  17. Martina EgliJuly 27, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Wow, I almost feel dizzy looking at the first image - you've captured and amazing photograph. I love the reflections of the blue sky an the building in the windows.
    The soft golden light in the second image is beautiful and together they make a fabulous diptych!

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  18. A.BarlowJuly 27, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Nice shots man. It is kinda cool to think about. Reality is what you make it though. Or is it, if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around does it still make a sound?

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  19. ChristopherJuly 27, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    So very true Doug and so very well illustrated with the photographs. It feels like we've lost the ability to understand/entertain/respect any perspective that varies from our own. Looking from a different perspective doesn't weaken us it strengthens us.

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  20. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Nice words doug... love the first shot .. would be better if the pole is exactly in the corner ..

    also wen u luk from the top.. all your problems looks small ... :)

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  21. OKJuly 27, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    very cool perspective on the first image, nice!

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  22. franzJuly 27, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    very fitting and original juxtaposition - and clever words re our view of the world!
    (ad my cemetery photo of today - this kind of cemetery is fairly common in western austria!)

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  23. BeachGypsyJuly 27, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    As always------great and enjoyable photos!!!

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  24. georgeAugust 1, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    I really like the dappled pools of light in the worm's eye view and what a great idea to combine it with a bird's eye view.

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  25. rianAugust 2, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    good point.. photos explain it better.. nice work presenting both views.. ;)

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  26. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerDecember 4, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    That's a really interesting first picture and I love your thoughts about perspective. Very true indeed.

    Duncan In Kuantan

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