Your most meaningful images

[rkm]

I'm particularly interested in contributions from those who have been shooting for a long period of time, but all input is welcome.

Firstly, looking back, I'm curious if the images that are subjectively the most meaningful to you are of people, of places, or are representative of a period of your life, or something else?

Secondly, looking back, what do you wish you made the effort to shoot more of?

Thirdly, if you feel inclined, feel free to post an image with a narrative, describing why it has become so meaningful to you.

 

[FrankS]

They are of family and relationships.

 

[boomguy57]

They are of family and relationships.

I'm sure this is the case. In 40 years, looking back at all my negatives I'm sure I'll gloss over most of the street shots, and go straight for the ones of family and friends.

 

[daveleo]

Despite all the semi-"artistic" stuff I have produced, the most meaningful pictures are of people I know. My very favorite picture of all time is a horrible snapshot where my wife (then girlfriend) walked in front of the camera and waved just as I hit the button. I was going to kill her for that, but I married her instead. 😛

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I've been shooting since I was 8 years old. 29 years! Been shooting as a serious artist for 18. I think I agree with Frank about family. For me, its the photos of my grandfather, Charles Crawford, and the photos of my son, Mack. Grandpa died a few years ago and my son will be 16 next month.

Mack winding the film on a Fuji Quicksnap camera. He was 3 years old and a good photographer already!

Here he is a couple weeks ago, age 15.

Grandpa with his meanass cat, Molly (she used to kill rattlesnakes!), in 1998.

Grandpa and Molly in early 2008, a few months before he died at age 84. Molly died a little over a year later, aged 19.

 

[John Cox]

This was the second limited edition series of mine to completely sell out. The first one to sell out to complete strangers.


This is a portrait of my father, I have very few pictures of him and I feel it portrays him well.

 

[rkm]

Thanks for sharing these images, Chris and John.

 

[nikon_sam]

Before even reading any responses my answer was "Family"...
The thing with pictures of family is that the older they get the more important they become...you normally don't think too much of a family photo taken just yesterday...but add 15 or 20 years to them and they're priceless...
I pulled a hard drive from an old laptop that fatally died on me five years ago...I was able to get an adapter to run it on my current computer...the main thing I was hoping to open were all the pictures of the kids...it was a good day yesterday...
Family...



2008, Our son's high school Graduation...he was the Valedictorian for his class...after the graduating ceremonies were over he got this huge hug from, of all people, his sister...seeing this picture still brings a tear to my eyes...and it was one of many on that hard drive...

 

[Brian Legge]

I'm not really close to most of my family. Aside from a single trip, I haven't seen immediate family for 12 years. No kids. My wife prefers to be on the other side of the lens; I value a few photos of her but don't have the opportunity to take many. I have some snapshots of coworkers but I haven't don't much with them since developing the negatives as they aren't interesting shots (or work those photographed would find especially interesting). Friendships the last 15 years haven't really lasted beyond 3-5 years so I doubt I'll go back to those images in the future.

The shots I value now are the ones I share that catch the eye of others. Thats a relatively short window though as most pictures are forgotten or lost in the digital noise after a few days. I'm hitting the point where I want to print and hang a few of those which have continued to resonate with me over time. Those tend to be images that resonate with me artistically more than anything else - the photos I'd appreciate if they'd been taken by someone else.

I wish I had something deeper to share here but most of my work is really superficial and somewhat empty when it comes down to it. Its moments or imagery which strikes me as compelling and that I captured in ways that were appealing to me personally. And at least right now, I'm okay with that.

 

[taskoni]

The images of my sons Marcus Antonius and Bobby Jn.

Regards,

Boris

 

[--s]

family and friends. the brothers project, for example, running for 12 years now. same place, same sons, always 4 years between. till i die.

 

[rkm]

There's an interesting dichotomy between personal (read family photos) and artistic photos, I think. The personal images of those we love, are meaningful because they are able to conjure within us a much larger body of memories, of someone or something that we already have intimate knowledge of, and connection to.

Whereas, for me at least, anything artistic is about trying to find connection where there is none, an attempt to externalize feelings that are otherwise hidden, an attempt to know something of which I currently have no understanding, and a means of discovery rather than remembering.

They are kind of opposites, but both are about connection.

 

[kossi008]

For me it is fifty-fifty between people and things. People shots (mostly friends and relatives) are important and the first thing I turn to, of course. But there are some street scenes and little details that convey their own meaning after 30 or so years...

Unfortunately, my best people shots are of my daughter, and I've made it a rule not to post those on the internet...

 

[morback]

It may be idiotic to say, but (almost) all the images I share are the most meaningful. 99% of them are of strangers, but I guess I still relate. Or better yet, I project onto them my emotions, thoughts, feelings, sentiments of the moment.

One of my recent favorites. I imagine they are friends sharing thoughts without inhibitions. Maybe they know each other for a long time or not. Their "innocence" and that of the moment is underscored by the fact that they're holding a gigantic balloon together and treading on untouched snow.

20120219D_12_MP+SC by Martin N. Hinze, on Flickr

Sometimes the contrast in & of things fascinates me. It becomes meaningful to me because it may break pre-conceptions I have, or remind me that nothing is at it seems. I live in a strange place where I hear strange things. It may be a bit obvious, but I like the softness and the contrast between fully clothed and barely clothed.

20120825B_07_MP+S503 by Martin N. Hinze, on Flickr

Sometimes I'm happy to recognize when the world falls into place and throws funny things at you

20120415_13_MP+SC by Martin N. Hinze, on Flickr

or it just reminds you that everything fits...

20120425_37_MP+SC by Martin N. Hinze, on Flickr

People are important to me. Either by their presence or their absence. An image that does not at least hint at the human element becomes very empty to me.

20081201_30_T3 by Martin N. Hinze, on Flickr


If it's not meaningful to me, it's not worth sharing.

 

[Johnmcd]

Like many here have already expressed, my favourite shots are family. Though I love all of my kids equally. The images that just make me melt are those of my youngest son. I have plenty of images of all three children who are all adults now but these images evoke a near physical reaction in me and I find myself looking at them constantly. Maybe I reminisce of a much simpler, innocent time in my life? All were taken nearly twenty years ago with my trusty OM1 and processed in the 'kitchen' darkroom. I have included a more current image as well (Mamiya 7). The first two were taken by my wife. One is blurred, the other poorly exposed. I don't care...

Myself and my week old son.

His beautiful eyes.

A young man.

 

[Johnmcd]

family and friends. the brothers project, for example, running for 12 years now. same place, same sons, always 4 years between. till i die.

What a fantastic project! The images are compelling. The changes so evident, even in the landscape where they sit.

 

[rkm]

family and friends. the brothers project, for example, running for 12 years now. same place, same sons, always 4 years between. till i die.
[/IMG]

I love it.

 

[x-ray]

Without question the most meaningful images to me are the documentary images I do. The capture a special moment in history in many cases. Some are images few people would be able to shoot and even fewer have the guts to shoot. Many of my subjects are now gone from our culture and will never return. Once gone there are no more chances to capture them. I guess the same can be said about family and friends but I just don't get the same burst of adrenaline when shooting friends and family.

With family and friends the value is for only a very small group of us who are personally connected. Documentary images appeal to a broad audience. Not many folks are curious about my family but many are about my documentary images like serpent handling in church, moonshiners and the KKK.

If I could go back to the age of 5 in 1953 when I made my first images, I would shoot more common everyday subjects. Nothing more than daily life like street scenes, people in stores shopping, store windows, cars, etc.

 

[mfogiel]

Shooting life is interesting, although even landscapes can become important to you ,because they will recall phases of your life:

Atlantic College, South Wales, 1976


BRISTOL CHANNEL by mfogiel, on Flickr

Monte Carlo, Monaco 2012


MF20122301 by mfogiel, on Flickr

London, UK 1977


LETTER by mfogiel, on Flickr

Monte Carlo, Monaco 2012


MF20120308 by mfogiel, on Flickr

Warsaw, Poland 1978


M. by mfogiel, on Flickr

Mirambeau, France 2007


M # 2 by mfogiel, on Flickr

Atlantic College, South Wales 1977


B.B. by mfogiel, on Flickr

Baveno, Italy 2007


07111504 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[PointOmega]

Mfogiel - Beautiful shots!