I am sure most of you are familiar with this statement when it comes to viewing art..
“I just don’t get it.”
As I have launched off of before, there are a series of Brooks Jensen podcasts (LW0428, LW0429, LW0430) that got me thinking about this whole concept of accessibility and association we try to make when interpreting something visually. . It came to mind in particular for my rock abstracts and wondering even though some of them have some very interesting patterns to me, what about someone else?. The impact and absorption of such images may be lessened if someone else cannot make some type of association with something they are already familiar with Sometimes I take a casual interest in the view counts of these images in my gallery. Which images get more “clicks” than others? Does this tell me something about the accessibility and interest of this image over the next?
Of course, it isn’t solely about rocks either, but any type of photograph that may have an abstract principal theme. . The interpretation can be completely different from one person to the next, and that can be exciting. However, sometimes, there is no interpretation at all (ie. confusion!) – so we arrive at the statement I mentioned above.
It made me question how many photographers take this into consideration in their compositions, assuming that they do care about the appeal of their work to others on some varying level. Certainly a lot of artists simply take the approach of “I create for me” and leave it at that. . That’s all fine and good, and perhaps the “artist” way of doing things. . . Work from your minds eye and soul, etc, etc. But I have to believe that a big part of being an effective photographer is being a effective communicator. If you are trying to communicate in a language that no one else on Earth understands, how is that going to work out for you?. . Certainly you can take pride in a photograph that is deep and meaningful to you personally. But when sharing it with others, and presumably hoping for some type of acceptance,. you have to check your expectations that they will find them just as meaningful.
Perhaps this is why some abstracts resort to the simplest of graphical definitions of shapes, lines, and textures. The definition of these types of objects are ingrained in our intellects from the time we are born and have universal understanding. . Some of the most effective landscape photographers are masters at reducing a complex scene into simplicity. . Good light itself has many ways of simplifying graphically confusing, contrasty scenes. . Are they really trying to go for ‘mass appeal’ or simply trying to break communication into the simplest of elements to make it more powerful and effective?. . Similar to an effective quotation, it may be a simple assembly of words, yet has a much deeper and insightful meaning.
Keep it simple, and keep it meaningful. . A good mantra to remember when making any composition I think. Of course, always easier said than done. But if we consciously think about this when trying to make a composition, as much as we think about exposure and focus, I would think it helps us grow as communicators and photographers.
