Message in your image...

[theantiquetiger]

From EdG's signature:

" A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. " Irving Penn

Do you make sure your image triggers an emotion or reaction in the viewer? Most of my images come out just as snapshots and I don't see a story behind the image. I think I have only captured this in two or three images I have taken in my short hobby life. My images lack the "Wow" factor. I am guessing this is something that is self-taught and you cannot learn from a forum, podcast, or book.

Should one work on their technical side of photography and learn the artist side as it comes or is it just the opposite, work on the artistry of the image and learn the technical side as it comes?

I am guessing the technical side is easier than the artist side of photography.

[theantiquetiger]

Here is an example I am talking about...

Last month, Bambi nominated my image "Bugeyes". I was tickled pink about the nomination, but to me, the image is missing any kind of emotion or message (other than a little giggle due to cuteness factor)

[theantiquetiger]

Sorry for the reply over and over, it's the only way I can post via iPhone (I'm at work bored)

Now, I feel this is the most powerful image I have ever taken. I get the emotion of sisterly love, love of one's children, and just warm feeling of a piece of artwork (if that makes sense). Now, I am not sure if the viewer gets the same emotions as me since they are my daughters.

[edG]

Not every image we capture, planned or by happen-stance tells a story.

Some, will be simply be good photos, technically but not emotionally. Others will be technically poor, but emotionally supercharged. Some people will never see what you see in an image.

From your photos, anyone can see your passion for your family, just try to push yourself beyond just snapping. Slow down, assess the light, can you change it and make it more interesting, change your angle or perspective to make it more interesting.

As to a powerful image- no doubt the one posted above has that heart tugging factor to any parent.

What I found for myself is - the more I shot, the more I pushed myself, the better my images became to both myself and others. I know, I still have a long, long way to go- so just enjoy the journey and scenes along the way.

Ansel Adams said "Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop".

[Iguanasan]

Ed gives some wonderful advice here and I really don't think I can add to it too much other than to keep shooting. The powerful moments are few and far between.

[Marko]

You guess right AT!

I've been spending a good part of the summer teaching private photography courses concentrating on exposure and composition in a few short hours.

My take on it is this - Exposure MUST be mastered first. It's the technical equivalent of learning brush strokes in painting. Yes occasionally you get some self taught genius that never practised or took a course but it's bloody rare. You will be forever lost and restricted in photography if you cannot master basic exposure. And yup I mean master.. so that F-stops are second nature, so that you know that a handheld shot at 1/30 with likely give you blur so you don't even bother taking it unless it's the last available option. This too only comes with practise.

And once exposure is mastered, you have the rest of your life to practise composition which is the more difficult of the two for the vast majority of people.

Especially in North America, we are in a rush rush rush society in the goal for some 'prize'. The journey and the improvement on that journey is the prize. We could take a few lessons from the Japanese in this respect - they still seem to have a strong 'apprenticeship culture'.

You have only been at this for about 1 year if I recall AT and your work has vastly improved since you have joined. Keep going, keep playing - keep learning. That's what I do and I've been at this for a long while.
Hope that may help.

[Richard]

The World's Most Powerful Photographs - YouTube

I found this link quite interesting, it focuses on the emotion in images.

[dha6892]

I think of photography and all forms of art as a means of expressing one's self. Through photos the photographer expresses his/her views or emotions on people, building, flowers, events, and reality/beauty in general. With that being said, a technically exceptional photo expresses the photographer's ability and interest in techniques. A emotionally-charged photo express the photographer's strong feeling toward his/her subject.