There’s a huge difference between the lens and the eye, and those of us who try to capture images on film know, that difference is paramount.

Photo by ~ Tahmid Munaz ~ courtesy of Flickr

While the human eye allows you to see objects from a first-hand view, a camera takes a picture so that the image can be seen over and over again. The eye sees everything in context, in a 360° multi-dimensional way.  Conversely the lens is a mechanical instrument that only sees colors, shapes, light/dark, and flat images.

Both capture moments, but they have many differences along with their similarities, and a skilled photographer needs to grasp the unique characteristics of each, so that they can utilize different techniques and lead viewers to see what they want them to see.  The challenge that faces us is making the lens “see” things the way the eye would.

One way you can manipulate the lens into “seeing” like an eye is through the use of focal points.  With image isolation, the viewer focuses on the image while the camera moves around the point. Not being able to see all views within one motion, a camera sees only its focus point.

Additionally, the camera views scenes based on mechanical settings – which can be manipulated.  While the eye would tell a viewer that it’s bright outside because it’s daytime and sunny, the settings of a camera can be manipulated to make sunrise appear to be sunset and daytime to darkness.

The trick is to utilize the lens to guide the viewer into the same experience they would have with their own eyes.