Excellent piece, Mark! Perhaps my favorite of yours and definitely one of the best I've read in a while. Super insightful to understand what creates tension in a photograph and why that's important. Excellent photos too!
Thanks, Juliette. That's very kind of you. I find the writing more difficult than the photographs. The effort it takes to put together a few paragraphs each week has really made me appreciate the work that professional writers do. And professional photographers who have deadlines and have to please clients as well as themselves.
Thanks, William. I enjoyed your recent post about the County Down Traction Engine Club Rally. It's the kind of event I like to attend. It's enjoyable taking photos of people doing what they love and displaying, in this case, vintage machinery and vehicles. It's a good opportunity to chat with locals about their interests and how technology has changed during their lifetime.
I entirely agree with the comments you make and great photos, Mark. I also define myself, primarily, as a street photographer. I am totally committed to creating images that make the viewer ask "what is going on here?" Catching the viewer's attention is the first component (punctum) to encourage the viewer to evaluate the image in depth. Then the photograph has to generate uncertainty and thoughts about what might be happening. The best is if there are many possibilities. So the photograph is the source of one or more processes which depend on the viewer's world not just the photographer.
Exactly. I totally agree. The photos in your recent post on Loneliness illustrate these ideas very well, I think. The first image features the silhouette of a man sitting by himself (it could be anyone). We identify with him and that places us in the scene. His thoughts and situation are unknown and open to speculation. We can't help but wonder how he is doing and what he's thinking.
I agree with your analysis of a good photograph . I can’t help but comment on not mentioning the hardware used to create that successful photo. So why do you, like so many image makers, persist on listing equipment (I could care less) It’s the end product that is important to a successful image.
I think you’re right that it’s the final image that matters, not the gear or settings. When I see an image I like, I sometimes wonder what settings were used. I also include date and location data that is probably not necessary. Very few have commented on the information I include with the photos, so you may well be right. It’s a habit carried over from my practice of keeping track of the metadata, but it might not be relevant to most others.
Thanks, Chris. In the end, we all want to be happy. I like your post about how wedding photography incorporates all genres. There are good wedding photographers where I live who successfully combine wedding, street, landscape, and seascape photography. Labels are often limiting and unhelpful. We all recognise a good photograph when we see one. And we appreciate life-affirming images, whatever the subject.
Well written. Read it twice to absorb it. Beautiful photos
Thanks for leaving such an encouraging comment, Garnet. Your feedback makes it all worthwhile.
Excellent piece, Mark! Perhaps my favorite of yours and definitely one of the best I've read in a while. Super insightful to understand what creates tension in a photograph and why that's important. Excellent photos too!
Thanks, Juliette. That's very kind of you. I find the writing more difficult than the photographs. The effort it takes to put together a few paragraphs each week has really made me appreciate the work that professional writers do. And professional photographers who have deadlines and have to please clients as well as themselves.
A lot of truth in this, ambiguity and mystery are great aspect in a photograph. Great article.
Thanks, William. I enjoyed your recent post about the County Down Traction Engine Club Rally. It's the kind of event I like to attend. It's enjoyable taking photos of people doing what they love and displaying, in this case, vintage machinery and vehicles. It's a good opportunity to chat with locals about their interests and how technology has changed during their lifetime.
I entirely agree with the comments you make and great photos, Mark. I also define myself, primarily, as a street photographer. I am totally committed to creating images that make the viewer ask "what is going on here?" Catching the viewer's attention is the first component (punctum) to encourage the viewer to evaluate the image in depth. Then the photograph has to generate uncertainty and thoughts about what might be happening. The best is if there are many possibilities. So the photograph is the source of one or more processes which depend on the viewer's world not just the photographer.
Exactly. I totally agree. The photos in your recent post on Loneliness illustrate these ideas very well, I think. The first image features the silhouette of a man sitting by himself (it could be anyone). We identify with him and that places us in the scene. His thoughts and situation are unknown and open to speculation. We can't help but wonder how he is doing and what he's thinking.
I agree with your analysis of a good photograph . I can’t help but comment on not mentioning the hardware used to create that successful photo. So why do you, like so many image makers, persist on listing equipment (I could care less) It’s the end product that is important to a successful image.
I think you’re right that it’s the final image that matters, not the gear or settings. When I see an image I like, I sometimes wonder what settings were used. I also include date and location data that is probably not necessary. Very few have commented on the information I include with the photos, so you may well be right. It’s a habit carried over from my practice of keeping track of the metadata, but it might not be relevant to most others.
By the way, I love your protest photos.
There are a number of feelings you get with good photos - Ambiguity is a great one.
As one who focuses on happy events, I appreciate everything you said because it’s about depth
Thanks, Chris. In the end, we all want to be happy. I like your post about how wedding photography incorporates all genres. There are good wedding photographers where I live who successfully combine wedding, street, landscape, and seascape photography. Labels are often limiting and unhelpful. We all recognise a good photograph when we see one. And we appreciate life-affirming images, whatever the subject.