Happily, some realities exceed even the grandest expectations. I understand that’s often the case the first time people see the Grand Canyon. I’m guessing the Great Wall of China evokes similar feelings.
I had this experience in Paris.
Walking up to the Eiffel Tower was a transforming moment. Yes, I had seen countless pictures of the Tower. I had seen many tourist-trinket representations of the Tower. I had seen the Tower in numerous movies and television shows. None of them prepared me for the grandeur that is the Tower.
This is my favorite image of the seemingly hundreds I took of the Eiffel Tower during my photo walks along the Seine. As with I Pledge Allegiance, Lioness and One Way, this is another example of the impact perspective can have on an image.
To get this view of the tower, I took the picture lying on my back in the middle of the area directly under the tower.
For me, this captures the imposing presence and the enormity of the Eiffel Tower. It highlights both this distinctive landmark’s form – the beauty – and function – the architecture.
With the ubiquitous presence of cameras in phones, there aren’t very many pictures that haven’t been taken – some of them millions of times – as is the case with the Eiffel Tower. The challenge is to find new and interesting ways to capture iconic subjects.