Recently Scott Bourne made a post on Photo Focus titled "Are your images more photographed than lived?" which talked about 'seeing' a photographer's journey in an image rather than just seeing a snapshot of a scene.
For the last few weeks, I have been kicking this idea around and trying to figure out what would constitute a lived image vs. a snapshot image. I've re-read this post numerous times, was ready to start a conversation via email with Scott on this topic, and even looked back through some of my older nature images and compared then to my current work. It got to a point where I thought 'maybe I'm thinking about this too hard and missing the point all together'. Either way, this was something to really think about.
And while this will be a topic that I will continue to mull over, I have arrived at my own 'understanding' of lived vs snapped images. For snapped images, I think there isn't a connection in the image either between the subject and photographer or between the subject and remaining scene. Why? Because there is no vested emotion from the photographer and what he or she is trying to capture. There are some images that you see and you can just feel the photographer's connection to the subject/scene. I think this comes from the photographer contemplating the final image, scrutinizing over the composition, waiting for the right light, seeing all the possible angles, settling on the one that emotes the feeling he/she wants to evoke, and then dialing in the right combination of settings to achieve the proper capture to then make a final image.
For the above image, I was driving by a field and saw a few cattails on the side of the road. I was ready to jump out, shoot an image, and go home (it was pretty cold this morning). But I ended up walking around, laying down, and even standing on my car to see different angles (I'm so glad I didn't just snap the image this morning!). For me, this 365 Project is about growth and discipline, but what I'm also learning is to slow down and see the art around me. With slowing down to see the art, I am also taking more time to capture the art and emotion by incorporating more thought in my process. It's a win-win situation.
Enjoy.
Bonus image today!
Large versions on Flickr.
Ja mata,
Brian
1 comments:
Great post Brian! I too mull over this on a regular basis and though I'm not good with words to describe my stance on it I will attempt. Snapped images for me are hard to discern from vested images sometimes because once in a while someone snaps a photo and gets it all right. These images then end up winning contests (there is a great example of this but I didn't want to post it here) I really almost resent these types of snapshots because they take away from the process that plagues me.. you know the one that takes composition, lighting, angles and so much more in mind before the "click". Anyways for the most part your description of a vested image fits my own. but I only know this of my own photos, it becomes a chore to pick out the "lucky" snapshots when it comes to other people's photos. What are your thoughts? or did I ramble incoherently? ha
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