As Photography Is Not Just Gear, To Me An Image Is Not Just Organized Forms

[ruben]

Yes, it sounds provocative and one sided, but upon reading commentaries I found the need to remind it, or open to discussion. At least this is me.

True, many many formalistic images do arise my feelings for aesthetics. But these kind of images are not the kind that leave a strong effect in the viewer, but rather just a a very short moment of delight.

For me great images should speak, include a story either by insinuation or opening our imagination, otherwise we are just inserting a finger in our nose. Well I am exaggerating a lot, but there is something here.

If you want me to deepen a bit, I may say that it is like a sort of photoshop scale, or double scale, with one end reading Form and the other Contents. My ideal is to get the maximum in both.

This is just me and I may be wrong. Let's see where do we arrive in this thread.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Marc-A.]

I agree with you, Ruben.
However, remind that there's no good picture without strong/fine/subtle composition. No content without a specific form. A picture which tells a story but is not well composed, is just a nice picture.
That's why we are more inclined to comment a well composed picture, even if it dosen't tell a story or doesn't show something interesting from a human point of view. A well composed picture is half a good picture.
And sometimes, I guess, it's just easier for us to comment form/composition. More often it's also easier to take a nicely composed picture than a good picture

 

[ruben]

I will extend my dilema in both directions:

Do you remember Andre Kertecz photo of his dis-articulated model at the sofa ?
Well, this example speaks against me. I cann't get this image out of my mind. I will remind it forever although being a formalistic one. But what a one !
What works here for me is the Originality. Everything true original does appeal to me strongly.

But back to Earth, the beauty and composition of an image is for me like a pretty woman. It invites you to know what is inside. And when that inside is void for you, then you say "just a pretty one".

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[mfunnell]

Well there's form and content, then I see something like this and say WOW! he got everything right, Holga or not.

...Mike

 

[fishtek]

A photoraph needs to be evocative....period. If the image doesn't get you, then the texture, light, grain, included forms, SOMETHING needs to get your attention to justify itself.

Having said THAT, I spend a lot of time taking photographs to see what the camera/film combo will do, to practice my skills (or lack thereof) with whatever camera/film/lens I happen to have, and just for the hell of it. I actively DON'T think too much when I shoot...if I'm not just shooting to understand the gear, then the scene either invites the photograph, or it doesn't.

Unless I'm setting up a shot for a particular purpose (portrait, product, etc.) I generally wing it and hope for the best. I'm not making a living with a camera, I'm enjoying the interaction with the machine, the environment, and my impulses.

Pretty bland and basic, eh? So it goes...

Regards!
Don