Did I get my point across?
I get a lot of my ideas for these posts from either looking at photographs in various places, reading something that has a direct corelation to photography, or from student’s submissions in my BPSOP online classes. It’s not just about the submissions, but I’m also curious as what their thought process was right before they clicked the shutter….otherwise I can’t be of much help.
Btw, I also get ideas from my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct all over the place. Since these photographers for the most part, have taken my online classes, they don’t seem to have the same thinking as the ones that haven’t…as of yet!
I show people how to see differently by using the right side of their brain when searching for that illusive ‘keeper’…aka, wall hanger. By incorporating the elements of visual design they can begin the process of “seeing past first impressions”.
Having said that, in the first week or so they will invariably see things that aren’t really there. They’re there because they want them to be there; after all it’s a huge learning curve and people are excited about it.
This brings me to the consideration of this post.
Since my fellow photographers won’t always be around to explain their thought process to the viewer, it will need to be what I refer to as a “quick read”. That is unless they going for an abstract in which case I, for one, would want everyone to see something different when looking at one of my images.
I have been to countless photography openings and have seen all the pretty, arty, people milling around drinking cheap chardonnay out of plastic glasses. I have seen these same people walk up to a photo, look at it for a moment then shrug their shoulders; while making an un-flattering face to indicate that they have no idea what the photo is about…then walk away.
When composing your ‘work of art’ be objective and not be too involved with the main subject. Doing so just might make you forget about what I refer to as…”the whole enchilada”.
It’s ok to have more than one center of interest providing they don’t take away from the main subject; your thought process in creating composition can become confusing.
One way to make sure you’re getting your point across is to self-initiate an out of body experience…You’re asking yourself…Huh?
What I mean is what I’ve been doing for a hell of a long time. I will place my body (and mind) into that of the viewer and then from his point of view I’ll know if I’m getting what I want across. It’s amazing how well this works.
One last thought: Ansel Adams once said, “There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept”.
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime. I just announced my New York, New York Workshop beginning September 17th, 2019 and ending at noon on the 23rd. This will be my second workshop there and this time we’ll be shooting in all the five boroughs.
JoeB
