Photo Sharing & Photography Forums | All photos start and end as a feeling

All photos start and end as a feeling

Posted by randy epperson on May 4, 2008 at 2:26am in GENERAL DISCUSSION

I read an article which described the process of creating a image as:
1. the photographer sees something that creates a feeling and wants to capture that feeling in a photo;
2. the photographer then uses the technical knowledge (lighting, exposure, depth of field, composition, etc...) they have about photography to create an image, then;
3. the photographer displays that image and hopes the viewer is able to either share the original feeling or have a different feeling.

This description of the artistic process makes a lot of sense to me. When we create an image, the ultimate goal is to have someone react. Whether the reaction is "Ahhh, what a cute kitten" or "My heart cries for the beggar on the street" or "That view of the landscape makes my spirit soar".

So the real failure for any photographer, whether pro or beginner, is to have their image ignored - invoke no feeling at all.

To receive an emotional response to a photograph means the photographer was successful in creating a work of art. So the comments of "beautiful shot", "wonderful color", "great lighting" all indicate the viewer feels something for that photo. If the viewer gives a more constructive comment about composition, depth of field, etc..., I think they see something in the shot but don't really get the feeling. They are trying to help the photographer in the translation of the original feeling.

So post the images which strongly express the emotion which caused you to create the photo. Hopefully, if it created a strong emotion with you, it will generate feelings in the viewers as well and they will comment.

Tags: comments, successful photo, feelings, emotions

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by paul holmes on May 4, 2008 at 11:49am: hey randy as always your knowledge and constructive comments are why you you are one of the best on mss.thanks for all the help; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cossack on May 4, 2008 at 9:54pm: Well said!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by pipit on May 4, 2008 at 10:22pm: i'll have to go through my shots & delete all those which have no comments .........i've failed :~[
like paul says you have cc down to a fine art .....wish i had those skills but i'm relieved to know that my 'wow...cool shot' etc can just be as valid; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ichtus on May 9, 2008 at 3:42pm: hi Randy,
all this about conveyed and shared feelings through a photograph makes a lot of sense for me indeed, and this is precisely what our CC is all about I think. Still, when you write "I think they see something in the shot but don't really get the feeling.', I just disagree. I mean I don't think personally that if if viewers see something they want to comment or analyse, it doesn't mean at all they don't get the feeling.
Is the article you mention somewhere on the web?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by randy epperson on May 10, 2008 at 5:56am: I didn't mean to imply that people only offer comments about the technical aspects of an image because they don't get an emotional response. I think they offer those type of comments in order to help the photographer create a stronger, more compelling image.

Thinking about this view of creating a photograph has made me understand that the technical aspects (composition, lighting, exposure, etc...) of photography is a means to an end. An image can be perfect technically and still create little or no feelings in the viewer. I think it is terrific that we have so many techniques and tools (like GIMP) available to us for creating photographs which can have such a great emotional impact on people who see them.

I'm trying to find the article that inspired this forum entry and will post a link to it when I do.; ▶ Reply to This