Unique Perspectives
A Change in Perspective
Welcome to this week’s edition of Behind the Picture Magazine!
Our latest photo assignment challenged photographers to capture moments from a unique perspective.
Perspective shapes how we see the world, and in photography, even the smallest shift can tell a completely different story.
Whether it's capturing a scene from a lower angle or shooting from up high, a fresh viewpoint can transform an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.
Think of perspective as your playground for imagination—an opportunity to explore angles that draw in the eye and invite curiosity.
The photos you’re about to see were created by talented photographers who masterfully combined creativity with distinctive perspectives.
Ready to see how they’ve reimagined the world through their lens?
Let’s dive in!
Assignment Brief
CARTY gives a tight brief at the end of his photo review shows which tells us shooters what we have to shoot exactly for the following weeks review.
Here is this assignment exactly how he shares it.
“This weeks Assignment: A Unique Perspectives in Your Niche.”
"I always talk about tradition timeless, classic, traditional photography.
Move outside your comfort zone and capture a unique perspective in your niche, experimenting with unique angles and or viewpoints."
Horizontal.
4000 wide x 100 dpi.
This is a horizontal assignment, I’ll say again.”
Travis Silverman
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
I’m really working on my portraits, but in particular I’ve been super-niching (if that’s a word) or deep diving into the queer masc world.
One of my passion projects is Finding Handsome (check out the substack) which focuses on female-born queers 45 yrs and older, but an off-shoot is to photograph local AFAB (Assigned female at birth) queer masculinity in the world of recreational sports in Toronto.
For this photo I took one of my subjects for Finding Handsome to a park to photograph them on the basketball court and hockey rink.
I was trying to experiment with height and angles and have other shots from below where they’re up on a chain link fence or from above playing with backlight and shadows.
They just lay down on the bench in the players box at the hockey rink and I shot from above. I asked them to open their eyes - they were closed because the sun was so bright - and I gave them a 1, 2, 3 and took the shot.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
I’m always hoping to convey people’s authenticity in my portraits.
With my super-niche in particular I hope to convey an ease and a sense of comfort in their own skin with their masculinity.
In this one I love the pose - hands behind the head and arms out.
They look relaxed to me and look like they’re feeling handsome.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
Time! I had been sick all week and even thought I might not get this one done.
On top of that, I’m in the middle of re-organizing my office/bedroom and my photo stuff is kind of everywhere.
My battery wasn’t charged and I couldn’t find any extra batteries.
My plan had been to photograph them at night with a strobe, but I hadn’t been able to pick up my equipment in time so I settled for a late afternoon shot which worked out.
How did you overcome them?
Fortunately my subject lives across the street from me and we were both free Wednesday afternoon.
I knew I was going to lose battery life so I worked quickly and looked for the best shots to shoot right away.
I looked for the best light and the cleanest backgrounds.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won?
Honestly I was pleasantly surprised.
I knew it was a good shot, but I also knew there were things I could have done better - namely to stop shooting in thirds!
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
It’s honestly been a bit of a rough start for me. I’m in a very transitional and transformational place in my life.
Being part of the Carty community has been challenging me in a number of different ways, in some ways rubbing me the wrong way, but also it’s been pushing me in positive ways.
I think right now I’m realizing that my goals as a photographer are evolving and refining.
I’ve been thinking a lot about minimalism as a concept in my life - in terms of physical stuff, but also emotional and I’m realizing more and more that I need to simplify in business too.
It’s all connected.
Funny that minimalism is the theme for next week’s assignment!
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
I’ve gotten very comfortable with shooting in a studio and developing and refining my personal style as a photographer.
I’m less comfortable now shooting with available light which is interesting because it used to be the opposite.
I’m not sure if it’s changed my perspective on my niche, but it has made me realize that I want to do more with mixing available light and strobe and shoot on location a bit more.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
I went to photography school in the early 90s.
I taught photography for 18 years in a high school and it’s been a very long time since I’ve done a photography assignment myself.
I think having your work critiqued is the best way to get better and being given creative assignments is so much fun!
I would say definitely participate in as many as you can!
Take some risks, try new things and take notes when you’re given feedback because that is honestly the quickest way to step up your work.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @Travis Silverman Photography
Instagram: @Findinghandsome
Substack: Travis Silverman
Website: Silverman Photo
Justin Mitchell
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
I drew inspiration from similar images of other sports and lifestyle photographers who's work I admire.
I decided I wanted it to be a blue court and chose the wardrobe to go with that, knowing that the ball and hoop were orange.
The only variable was whether or not the sun would be shining on the day which would determine how I would get the shadow.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
The brief was a unique perspective and this is definitely a perspective I never shoot from on the basketball court.
I knew I wanted the hoop in the shot, the shadow had to be open or expressive somehow, showing all of the limbs, and the format had to be suitable for a wrap-around cover, so the subject had to be on the right half of the horizontal image.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
I'm familiar with this court but still wanted to do a recon trip beforehand with my camera to work out the focal length and framing but as it turned out the sun was shining, my "model" was available, so I decided just to go straight there ready to shoot.
The first challenge, there was someone training on the end of the court I had wanted (for the shadow direction), so we went to the other end to see what we could do instead.
Next, I realized to get my camera in the right spot in relation to the hoop I would have to be above the backboard, leaning over.
How did you overcome them?
My ladder wasn't high enough, and to avoid climbing on to the backboard framing, I attached the camera to my tripod (legs unopened) and, from the top of the ladder, held it up so the camera was just above the hoop.
I had the screen folded down so I could see it and I used my IR remote to trigger the shutter. I normally use back-button focus so I had to switch that to AF with shutter, and set my focus to zone, with the zone set on the right hand side where my model would be.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won?
It’s nice to say that I was one of the winners, but for me I realize the fact that I have gone out and "made" this shot is such a step up for me and I feel like, as a learning experience, its so much more valuable... and I've hopefully created another image for my portfolio which is another plus.
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
Being part of the Carty community has opened me up to the whole world of commercial photography.
There is so much support from other members of the community, and I'm now in the accelerator group and working through how to develop my photography as a business...
I wish I had this community and program a year and a half ago!
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
I always pick up on things that I hadn't thought about.... whether its the angle and positioning of the lights, the positioning of labels or even just the f-stop I used.
If (or when) I do this shoot again, I would go earlier in the day to really stretch that shadow out, and I would take a bigger ladder so I could set up the shot through the viewfinder.
Doing this assignment has expanded the thought process for planning any type of shoot.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
When you see images that inspire you, save them to a mood board or in a folder somewhere, and then look to see how you can replicate them to begin with.
Once you know you can technically do it, then try different ways and your own style will eventually come out.
Just shoot lots I suppose.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @jl_mitchell_
Mats Karlsson
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
This assignment was about creating a unique perspective.
I had an idea for this photo as a top down photo from a bridge above a wooden pier nearby.
The location has interesting lines and great light, so from there it was all about getting me and the camera in the right spot to get lines and object in position.
The shoot and shoot again until I had it.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
I wanted to create a calm picture by making the person sit alone in this bigger area.
To create a picture of space with room for reflection.
The perspective from above and behind made it possible for me to not stand in the way, not to disturb.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
The lines of the wood was pretty tricky to get straight at the same time as getting the person in the correct position.
How did you overcome them?
A lot of sideways movement for me and the camera to find the right spot.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won?
Wow! I feel proud and humble.
There are so many great photographers in this community.
Every week I get more and more critical to my own work, so when I got Photo of the Week, it felt great.
For me, it’s a check that I am on the right track, but looking forward to the next assignment that will make me better, week by week.
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
This community is great. I’m not the most active in the chats, but it’s amazing to see how everyone is supporting each other and helping out.
It means a lot to be able to get in contact with other photographers and be able to discuss whatever is on your mind.
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
I got great feedback from Carty about developing my style of photography, usually making traditional style photos.
This photo being an example of adding an extra twist on the traditional style.
I will definitely explore that more.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
That is what is so great about the feedback you get.
From seeing several submissions from me, Carty gives me feedback on my work, nor comparing it to someone else’s, but helping me develop me style and skill.
I highly recommend joining the submission level community. It will help you develop your photography, for sure.
It's been a game changer for me, definitely.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @matskarlssonphotography
Substack: @matskarlssonphotography
Website: matskarlssonphotography
Colin Blair
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
I wanted to do something really mind bending like a Salvador Dali painting, but I couldn't really pull off something that ambitious.
So I had to dial it way back and try something more simple but still made you think, "hmm, that's kind of odd".
I figured out what product to shoot first.
I think of an idea to execute second.
I try to make the idea work when I start shooting, and if it doesn't I have to change up the idea until it does.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
This photo came about as a result of my failure to make a photo work for the previous week's assignment.
I was shooting the same product and I just couldn't make the ideas I had work.
The new brief got me trying different things and after a few attempts I found something I thought was compelling.
I was trying to convey a surreal sort of style.
Something in the vein of Alice in Wonderland.
Things aren't what they seem, kind of vibes.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
Limitations in my equipment.
The amount of kit I have or rather, the lack thereof, is always a challenge to getting results.
How did you overcome them?
Time, patience, and thinking out of the box.
Using ordinary household items to try to make something work.
Like draping a white bed sheet over my set as a reflector, just out of frame, held up by my two light stands that were already holding the strobes.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won?
I was completely surprised.
I didn't know the stream had changed time slots.
I didn't expect to win, honestly.
For one, I wasn't sure I did quite enough to meet the brief of a unique perspective.
Secondly, there were some things I wish I had tried that I thought of after I submitted, changes that I think may have made a better photo.
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
Being part of the Carty Community has meant quite a lot to me.
The support, honest feedback, and the pool of collective knowledge has been invaluable.
So many of the members believe in me and my success, even on days when I don't believe in myself, and I can't thank them enough.
The best influence on my journey, I'd say it's given me focus.
My pathway forward is no longer completely dark, I've been given a flashlight so to speak.
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
I would say it encouraged the current trajectory of my style.
To look for inspiration but mold something of my own.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
A good idea is the foundation of making a successful photo.
But don't be afraid to experiment with your initial idea.
Sometimes you can find that little twist that will just boost your idea to the next level (and if you have to, shoot frames, lots and lots of frames).
How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
Look for ideas or inspiration everywhere you can. Books, TV, movies, other photographers, paintings, or even in conversation.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: Colin Blair (Arresting Photons)
Website: Colin Blair
Sean Thomas
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
The idea and concept was to go back to my roots of car photography and shoot a style I call “AUTOLUX ABSTRACTS”.
Real up close and personal shots of vehicles.
So close at times you don’t even know it is a car.
However the final idea came to me while editing my original picture to submit which actually included the car's badging "FORD" , "4WD" & "ESCAPE".
I thought wait a minute the rust patch, the dust and the fleck in the paint kinda looks like outer space.
So with that mind I went and reshot the following day with Space and Nebulas on the brain.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
I wanted to showcase the result of not taking care of oneself.
Self care and regular maintenance is so vital.
So just like us, if you don’t take care of the body…. “corrosion” can take hold and spread.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
The major challenge for me was the natural sunlight.
I wanted and needed a hard shadow slicing through the frame.
How did you overcome them?
So when I knew I wanted to reshoot, I had to be patient and wait an entire 24 hours to get back the original lighting I had the first time.
And luckily it worked out for me.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won?
As usual I am over the moon. Super grateful!
I had a belief that if I could capture and edit what I had envisioned in my mind, I figured I’d have a great chance for Picture of The Week.
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
It has meant the world to me.
Being a part of Carty’s community has forced me to be more accountable.
Not only to myself, however to others as well.
Feeling so blessed!
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
Well actually this assignment has shown me I need to revisit my early work and start including more of my up close abstract work.
Now remembering how people fell in love with my early car photography to begin with.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
An assignment like this is perfect for all types of photographers from beginner to expert.
We can all learn something new by just simply changing the perspective of how you photograph your niche
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: Autoluximagery
Substack: Autoluximagery
Website: Autoluximagery
Ana K
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
For an upcoming photo session with a soon-to-be-married couple, I wanted to push beyond the usual holding hands and "cute" kisses.
I researched successful commercial and “love story” photographers to see how they approached their subjects.
While I had a few concepts in mind before the shoot, the idea for this particular shot came spontaneously during the session.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
I aimed to create a cinematic, moody image that stood apart from typical couple photos.
My goal was to introduce a sense of drama and style, breaking away from the expected and conventional.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
One of the main challenges was the planning and coordination involved in setting up the photo session.
How did you overcome them?
I began brainstorming ideas and developing a plan early on to ensure I could meet the deadline with a clear vision.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won?
Winning made me anxious about my next submission because I now feel the pressure to surpass my previous work.
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
Being part of the Carty community has been invaluable.
I learn daily from their podcasts and photo reviews, which have made me a more skilled and confident photographer.
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
This assignment reminded me of the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone.
Carty’s assignments challenge me to experiment while maintaining high standards of quality.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
I encourage other photographers to embrace these challenges as opportunities to grow.
The more you push your creative boundaries, the more you develop as an artist.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @AKphotography.2020
Instagram: @my.ottwa.photos
Best In Show
Doyle Daniels
What was your creative process like for this photo assignment? Could you walk us through the steps you took from concept to execution?
Knowing that I wanted a situation that would give me plenty of opportunity to try different angles and ideas for this weeks brief I reached out to a local LGBTQ+ Tattoo Shop and asked if I could photograph an upcoming event they were having.
I wanted to focus, ( no pun intended ) on showing the process in a different way then I normally see tattoo’s and the artists who create them being portrayed.
Can you share the story behind this photo? What narrative or message were you hoping to convey through your work?
really wanted to show the artist here, in their space, doing what they do.
The seriousness of their business, from the artists clothing to their setup.
Everything was professional and on purpose.
What challenges did you encounter during this assignment?
The biggest issue was capturing this image in an editorial way that would work for a two page spread.
I knew I wanted to use the light behind the artist as a hair light and the light from the head lamp as the primary light source, but I also couldn’t interfere with the process of the tattoo.
How did you overcome them?
Normally I would have stepped back and just framed out everything in an easy way that showed a little more of the work area, but that wasn’t the brief.
So it took a lot of patience; waiting for the artist to be in just the right position. Two clients worth of waiting to be exact.
What was your reaction when you found out you had won Best In Show?
I have really tried to keep winning or losing far from my motivations when it comes to these weekly photo critiques.
Focusing on competing with myself; taking the negative and positive feedback as tools to help myself grow and improve.
That being said, it still feels pretty cool!
The win also came with the insight that in some situations at least I have been approaching portraiture in the wrong way… Good to know.
All of that aside no, I did not expect to win this week at all, I thought Joe Franklin, or Mats Karlsson would probably take down BIS, both of their photographs were really amazing.
What has being part of the Carty community meant to you? How has it influenced your photography journey?
This community, and Carty's channel in general have completely changed the way I look at my photography.
It has been less than 6 months, or right around that.
In that time I have gone from viewing photography as a hobbyist, just something I did from time to time.
Fast forward a few months and I find myself writing this response at my desk, in my office, where I am currently pursuing photography full time. It has also greatly improved my confidence; a work in progress.
Did this assignment change your perspective on your niche or style? In what ways has it helped you grow as an artist?
LoL, yea, the way I would normally photograph this kind of picture is wrong!
Or at least the prompting of this brief helped show me the way I should be framing and photographing things in general.
The way I like to be less apart of the action and draw back is subconsciously just a confidence issue.
I still think a time and place for wider perspectives of view exist.
Im sure Carty does as well but I think he hit on something personal for me during the critique.
What advice would you give to fellow photographers about participating in assignments like this? How can they make the most out of these creative challenges?
Are you a working professional?
Do you have so much paid work piling up that you simply do not have time to add another photographic challenge to your weekly work load?
If you answered no to either of these questions then I believe you are doing yourself a disadvantage by not participating.
Having to follow a brief, brainstorming ideas, solving problems, and pursuing the work to completion just forces you too grow. Its a 1 + 2 = 3 kind of thing, its really that simple.
We all need that unbiased attention to our work if we really want to improve in a meaningful way.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @dcd3photo
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Carty is a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.
His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.
👉🏾 Mindset shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾
Learn more about him and see his work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com
Join his photographers community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community
Work with Him 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com
The Carty Method Instagram @TheCartyMethod