People, especially non-photographers, often ask me what is involved in “making” a photo. Now first I want to say there is nothing “wrong” with taking any kind of image. For this article I want to explore how to make an image that has a broad range of appeal. In other words, how to make your photos something that complete strangers can appreciate.
When you just want a snapshot of a loved one, modern cameras are very good at producing a very acceptable file. Then most printers will produce a print that allows you to recognize said loved one. This article is not necessarily about technique, although poor technique will often be a distraction from the content. However, if you want more than an adequate snapshot, you need to go a bit deeper.
Subject matter is basically irrelevant. Whoa hang on there, what I mean is that a great photo can be taken of anything, it is the approach, rather than a specific subject that lets viewers relate. One of my favorite recent photos is of a fish skeleton…
If you asked someone if they thought an old fish skeleton would make a good photo, most would say not so much…
Another much better example is Irving Penn’s cigarette butts…
So we have ruled out equipment, technique (to some extent), and subject matter. What is left? I think passion.
From Wikipedia:
Passion (from the Ancient Greek verb ????? (paskho) meaning to suffer) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.
Now I am not saying I am passionate about fish skeletons. I am however enthusiastic about the scene before me. This is the hardest part of Photography, how to translate “Wow,This is a cool place to be” (for landscape photography) or just “Wow, that is cool”, to an image that evokes the same response in a wide range of viewers.
The first step is to isolate and generalize. I know that sounds contradictory, but bear with me… I will use my fish skeleton image as an example. I was walking through Goldstream Park near my hometown of Victoria, BC just after the Salmon run. It was fall, there were lots of eagles and wildlife looking for an easy meal*, the air was crisp. In other words, it was a great morning to go for a walk in the woods. I needed to find a detail/angle of view that conveys what I am experiencing. This image captures a lot of elements that relate to that story. The dead, frost covered leaves set the season, the fish skeleton hints of the story of the salmon run… but I think the image has more than just that.
*I never really understood why Bald Eagles are held in such high regard, they may be big, but they are very cowardly scavengers. I always though many other birds are much more regal (such as the blue herron)