What you see is a matter of where you stand

It's all in how you look at it, not just in what you are looking at.

It is perspective. I call it the relativistic theory of politics. When someone posits a position or makes an argument, how you see it depends as much on where you stand on the political spectrum — left or right — and your own vector — ardent or casual — as anything else.

See today's column for another variant on this theme.

But the theory can be illustrated photographically as well. Take this metal structure on Imperial Beach, Calif., near the pier. One might say it is evocative of the ocean breeze and the curl of the waves with the gulls and pelicans hovering overhead.

But move a bit to the right and you might see it as art.

There is a similar display in front of Las Vegas fire station.