Hi Cedric, not sure I agree with this one. I believe you make a photograph in the moment. Not for the future, not for someone else. If it works later, great. If it doesn't that's OK, because it will still let you travel back to the time, the place, and the moment you made it. That is the beauty of photography. At least it is to me.
Good article, Cedric. You’re talking about the moment one takes a photograph. What about the moment after? The one where we revisit it and we remember (I mostly do) how the situation was and why we wanted to make that particular moment? Is post-editing only a helping tool to make a photo better aesthetically or something more than this, such as a kind of help to bring exactly forward what we have seen?
When I was approaching my teens, I wanted a camera because my dad had one. I had no idea what I wanted to do with it - only that if my dad had one, it was something I wanted to have, too. there are still times when I question my photographic motives and intentions - and it's no surprise that I don't always get to a point when any of it makes sense. I'm not even sure that it needs to make sense.
“Whether you’re thinking about it or not doesn’t change any of this.” When you begin thinking about it, in my opinion, makes you a better photographer. I know there are some out there who don’t have to think, and do amazing work just on instinct. But for the rest of us, thinking about how you want to capture a scene, and as you put it, what you want it to do later, takes our work to the next level. Knowing the effects of the aperture and focal length on an image is one thing, but when you can begin using them to record how that scene feels, and to change how it will be viewed later, that is something else. Something I am still working on. This was a great piece Cedric.
So much truth in these words - to build on the sentiment I would add that a successful photographer can - like a painter - also “see” the finished picture in their mind - not just what they are seeing through their eyes (which are influenced too much by the broader view, context etc). And then complete the process to make whatever tweaks might be necessary post process to achieve that intended mental image.
I think you've put into words what separates a photograph from a snapshot. When I'm moving fast, trying to capture the kids when they are spinning like tornadoes, I think I end up shooting snapshots from intuition. The irony is, in the moment, I'm really trying to "make" a photograph with intention. The continuous pursuit of the intention is absolutely why I love the art form. You've framed it well here my friend.
Hi Cedric, not sure I agree with this one. I believe you make a photograph in the moment. Not for the future, not for someone else. If it works later, great. If it doesn't that's OK, because it will still let you travel back to the time, the place, and the moment you made it. That is the beauty of photography. At least it is to me.
Good article, Cedric. You’re talking about the moment one takes a photograph. What about the moment after? The one where we revisit it and we remember (I mostly do) how the situation was and why we wanted to make that particular moment? Is post-editing only a helping tool to make a photo better aesthetically or something more than this, such as a kind of help to bring exactly forward what we have seen?
Interesting essay, Cedric. It is all about intentionality
When I was approaching my teens, I wanted a camera because my dad had one. I had no idea what I wanted to do with it - only that if my dad had one, it was something I wanted to have, too. there are still times when I question my photographic motives and intentions - and it's no surprise that I don't always get to a point when any of it makes sense. I'm not even sure that it needs to make sense.
“Whether you’re thinking about it or not doesn’t change any of this.” When you begin thinking about it, in my opinion, makes you a better photographer. I know there are some out there who don’t have to think, and do amazing work just on instinct. But for the rest of us, thinking about how you want to capture a scene, and as you put it, what you want it to do later, takes our work to the next level. Knowing the effects of the aperture and focal length on an image is one thing, but when you can begin using them to record how that scene feels, and to change how it will be viewed later, that is something else. Something I am still working on. This was a great piece Cedric.
So much truth in these words - to build on the sentiment I would add that a successful photographer can - like a painter - also “see” the finished picture in their mind - not just what they are seeing through their eyes (which are influenced too much by the broader view, context etc). And then complete the process to make whatever tweaks might be necessary post process to achieve that intended mental image.
I think you've put into words what separates a photograph from a snapshot. When I'm moving fast, trying to capture the kids when they are spinning like tornadoes, I think I end up shooting snapshots from intuition. The irony is, in the moment, I'm really trying to "make" a photograph with intention. The continuous pursuit of the intention is absolutely why I love the art form. You've framed it well here my friend.