To See In Ways Others Cannot – Crafting the Photograph

I know we have all heard the argument that it is not the gear, but the eye that is the key to creating a beautiful photograph. Perhaps the single greatest asset in making great photographs is the ability of an individual to “connect” with his/her subject and see in ways that others are not able to see. The mind’s eye is another phrase I have often heard used to reference this talent.

I follow the Digital Photography School blog/website because I am a life-long learner and photography is a subject in which I am keenly interested. I recommend this resource to others who want to learn how to create better images.

As an example, a recent post by Darlene Hildebrandt, 26 Imaginative Images of Inanimate Objects, presents some excellent photos of inanimate objects that go well beyond just creating a record of a moment in time. Among the pictures used as examples is the one below. Does this evoke a feeling? If so, what feeling? If these were living, breathing objects, what would the one on the right be thinking or saying? That’s what makes this an excellent photograph. The viewer, at least this viewer, connects with the emotion of the picture.

The Tragedy of Pears

I know they are just pears, but the photograph is larger than pears and that’s the point. It is larger than a still life. In my mind, they are evoking a mood, creating an emotional response. See other works by this photographer, Victoria Ivanova here.

Another picture, not quite as poignant, but still clever and creative is the cup and handle seen in a different way.

Heartfelt Mug

When I first saw this, I had to smile. It made me happy. Does it make you happy? How many times have we looked at this or similar scenes and yet failed to see the detail that Tiziano Giumelli envisioned. I realize that the shadow was probably artificially created, but it isn’t a situation that would be unlikely to occur on its own. It would most likely be less obvious; more subtle, but it would still be there. I am connected to this photo in a mild, and whimsical way.

The photographer didn’t just happen upon this scene, whip out the camera and snap the shutter. I mean it could have been done that way, but it is very doubtful. The mug and saucer are off center; that appears to be deliberate. The shadow renders a near perfect heart shape; that seems to be purposeful. The shadow hides a portion of the left side of the cup and saucer with just a bit poking out from the rear which makes it mysterious; that was intended. This is a well-crafted image.

See what other pictures are offered to viewer in 26 Imaginative Images of Inanimate Objects.

Are there other pictures that you connect with? Which photos evoke a feeling in you even though they are of inanimate objects?

Rules to Live by From the Dalai Lama

As my readers know, I enjoy collecting quotes and learning about creating photographs. Just look at some of my STATUS QUOtes and photography posts.

One of the blogs I follow is the Digital Photography School. There is so much knowledge there. I encourage you to review their site and subscribe to their emails or RSS feeds.

In a recent post by Darlene Hildebrandt, 11 Rules of Living by Dalai Lama to Help You Bring Zen to Your Photography,she offers some great advice and like many “truths” this advice can be applied to numerous phases and stages of life. I offer a few of them below juxtaposed with quotes that I have heard and which I find relate well to her “rules.” If you find meaning in them and you want to learn how Darlene Hildebrandt understands their relationship to her photography, visit the link above.

  • “Great love and great achievements involve great risk.” – “And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” ― Erica Jong
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  • “When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.”“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” ― James Joyce
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  • “Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.”“When you teach a child, you teach their children as well.” – The Talmud
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  • “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” – “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.” – Garth Brooks
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