Do your photographs ever reflect your mood?

[Chris101]

Yes. Yes they do. When I was a painter it was perhaps more apparent because of the immediacy - you put the paint on the canvas, and you are done. With a photo, you shoot in one mood, make development decisions in another, then print in a third state of mind. Then if you add color by toning, it takes on a whole new realm of emotion.

Ahh, but that's part of the fun, at least for me. Trying to remember my mood and what I wanted to do a few days before I do the editing ....

Cheers,

Roland.

I made a twenty photograph series over the last four months, that was intended to be very emotionally charged. Maintaining the same level of emotion over that kind of time span is difficult, so I put together a soundtrack of appropriate music (Eminem's Relapse) and made some props (a shrunken head and a decapitated manequin) to help keep me in a murderous frame of mind for the project.

Overall, I think the tricks worked, but I must admit, there were times I wanted to chuck the project because of the difficulty in keeping focus!

JB, your story would have enhanced the mood I used, most likely. I would have imagined those people as victims.

Oh, here are pictures of my project: http://homepage.mac.com/cheilman1/tsantsa/

 

[Roger Hicks]

Same as others. If I'm 'down' I don't shoot much except stuff I have to (pack shots, step-by-steps...). But equally, if I'm a bit 'blah', going for a walk and taking a few pics will normally cheer me up. Or occasionally, make things worse.

In the situation described by Disaster Area I get jittery for a while but then console myself with the thought that I am not obliged to adjust my entire life to suit the hard of thinking (or indeed gibbering loonies).

Cheers,

R.

 

[barnwulf]

There are some interesting observations here. Thanks, Keith for bringing this up. After reading some of the responses here I have thought a little more about it. I never try to remember the mood I was in when I am looking at my phonographs. I don’t think it matters because I think the photographs need to speak for them selves. I try not to read anything into them. Of course if you are trying for something specific, maybe it’s important then. I tend to think my photographs taken when I am in a bit of a down mood aren’t as good as photographs taken when I am more positive in my outlook. Sometimes just being out with my camera and looking around improves my mood noticeably. In my earlier post I mentioned that I sometimes I go to familiar subjects or situations where I have photographed before. I try to look for other views or other visual qualities to photograph. If I am successful, my mood improves considerably but, if I am not successful my mood can even worsen a bit and I return home still in a petty bum mood. It’s good to keep trying. Sometimes something new will reveal itself and that makes it all worth it.

 

[benno]

Yes.

Backstory: 800km on a MTB in the Moroccan mountains, on this particular day I was struggling to find water and the heat reflecting back off those rocks was intense.

 

[rolleistef]

Oh yes certainly. When I'm down the framing is totally messy, which recomposes when I recompose myself...

 

[paulfish4570]

Mood or attitude always plays a key role.

 

[paulfish4570]

I like to say "follow the light and find a photograph" or "go to the light and find the photograph." One also could say, "follow the mood and find the photograph."

 

[Nikkor AIS]

For me, my photography is a reflection of what is going on inside. The truth of the matter, for me at least, is the choice of subject, moment and the way I photograph a subject are a reflection of my soul.
It's funny, lately I've been really confident and at ease when out shooting.
I really think your subjects pick up on your state of mind.

Disaster Area: As far as photographing children, I do it all the time and never have an issue. And it's funny because I'm a big scary guy. But children and pets look right through that facade. I'm a street shooter who never asks for permission and I'm quick to hand out my card to any parent who expresses interest in my work. If I encounter hostility from subjects on the street, I give it right back and stand my ground. At some level, on the street these things are primal and your fear is taken as weakness. This hypersensitivity to being photographed is best ignored if you want to take successful street photography. If you allow yourself to paralyzed by other people's insecurities and paranoia, it will grind you down. Follow your instincts and be true to yourself.

While I respect that some people think one should ask permission to take someone's photo on the street, it's never been my style. I'm more of a "shoot first, ask questions later" photographer. To each his own.

I guess what I'm saying is don't let the ******s grind you down.

Gregory























Gregory