Creativity, Rick Sammon's Photography and Platypod

Platypod Max with a Canon EOS R, Canon 24-105mm IS lens - ISO 3200, f/7.1 @ 1/80th of a second

by Skip Cohen

​Rick Sammon is no stranger to the SCU spotlight. In fact, you'd have to have been in solitary confinement the last thirty years not to know Rick's work shared in so many other venues. He's an artist, podcaster, author, educator, and essentially the Energizer Rabbit of imaging. He NEVER slows down, especially on his creativity!

Rick's always looking for a different perspective with so many of his images. Anybody can shoot beautiful postcard shots, but Rick looks for a way to capture moments that get us to look his way just a few seconds longer. That's exactly what he did on a recent trip to China and the image to the right.

One of my favorite "Sammonisms," is, "Use your hand-held camera like a drone. In other words, move your camera up and down, tilt it and move it side to side for creative angles. Thanks to Platypod, I was able to follow my own advice while photographing this woman in a rural village in China in September 2019."

Rick's angle is awesome but so is the lighting. Notice the true Rembrandt lighting (triangle of light under the eye on the shadow side of the subject's face) in the close up of the woman.

Learn how to become a better photographer, which is different than taking better pictures - in Rick's 40th book, Photo Therapy Motivation and Wisdom - discovering the power of pictures:  Also check out Rick's online classes. Click on either image to see more of Rick's work and check out his workshops, books, blog and podcast while you're there!

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Rick could have easily photographed the subject from eye-level and it would have been a beautiful shot. But, that's not what Rick does! The low angle added so much to the final image.  

It's Black Friday, and Platypod has some amazing bundles to help you expand your creative tools to capture images that leave people looking at your work a little bit longer.

Check out the Max-Macro bundle, including two Litra Torch 2.0s and two sets of the new goosenecks. The Ultra Travel Bundle with a Benro IN00 ball head. And, if you've already got a Platypod - accessorize it with a multi-kit, one set of goosenecks and two Litra Torch 2.0s. 

Check out how Platypod can give you a completely different perspective every time! The website is just a click away.