One of the things I love about photography is the idea of it being a visual language that transcends all communication barriers. It can be as simple as you make it or as complex as you’d like it to be and people will still respond. Whether they like the image or not, they do respond unless of course, you’ve committed the cardinal sin in photography–creating an image that leaves people feeling ambivalent. Quite a while ago I stopped giving titles to the photographs I share here on my blog because I didn’t want to tell people what they should see. When I see a photograph of an empty vase with the title “Vase”, I study it and think of what it could be without a title. Something like “Unrequited Love”. Not only is it much more powerful to me but I become more engaged in the image itself.
This image was taken as part of an exercise to think more conceptually, essentially the opposite of what I just described. You start out with a word or a concept and then you try to photograph it. Can you guess what my word or concept was? There is no right or wrong and in fact, I’m very much hoping to hear a range of responses.
Hmmm, if I had to title it, I’d pick…Directions.
Simply because of all the angles, plus the obvious sign.
Mark
Good to hear what you see in this image, Mark. Without giving anything away, I’ll see if there are a few more interpretations before I spill the beans.
Reflection? Pattern?
Just love the texture and tones here, Sabrina!
I was working in Nik Silver Efex again with this one, Erin. As you can tell, I’m having lots of fun with it. Thanks!
insurmountable barriers, was my first impression. Or “chicken track over there”
So many ways of seeing something.
Grasping / photographing a concept is something I find extremely hard to do. I struggle to get conceptual photos because I never seem to conclude on the same one that I’m supposed to. It’s a definite work in progress, this!
Thanks for your comment, Charlene.
I too, found photographing something conceptual very challenging. This was made even more so by having the constraint of excluding people or human forms in my image.
But help is on the way. I have it on good authority that David duChemin’s new series of eBooks on the print and the process will be great. (I do have to disclose that I have a vested interest in having them do well but that doesn’t take away from how good they are.)
Excellent news! You must be contributing to his latest books then???
I’m curious, what was your concept behind the image above?
Thanks for playing along Mark, Erin and Charlene.
The concept I was trying to photograph was “Access”. I was toying with the idea of not letting you know but now you might have something more to say, like how to improve getting that concept across.
Charlene, in answer to your other question, I’m working with the Craft and Vision team on the marketing side so I get to read all the eBooks before they come out.
I am not good either at photographing/getting concepts . But I also think there is no right or wrong answer to an interpretation of something. We each have our own context. The photo here could be an alternate (as in route) or we could interpret it as constraint.
Interesting, I hadn’t thought of “Access”. You know I”m always fascinated with the thought process behind photographs, so I’d love to hear how you felt the dome structure itself played into “Access”.
I’m with Mark. Access wouldn’t have been the first thing in my mind either, I think I was too distracted by the potential significance of the dome. How does it fit into your concept?
I must have slipped in between my opinion and the ‘access’ word – hmmm
Am also keen to hear how the dome structure relates.
OK so here’s how I saw it…
The Dome is a large-ish structure that only has one public entrance. I used my 17-35mm at the widest angle and I shot lower to the ground to make it even more imposing. With the inclusion of the sign, I wanted to show that you can still get inside the building even though it seemed impenetrable.
If I were to think about it, what each of you saw is connected to what I saw. I don’t know if that makes it a stronger conceptual image or not. What do you think?
The dome. for me, eclipsed every other element of the photo, pushing them all aside in its own favour. But, now that you’ve spelt it out, it seems really obvious. Sam and Frodo finding their way into Mordor, to borrow an analogy.
Have you any other photos of this? It would be interesting to see if the the concept at all changes if the image is grouped with others.
I actually only have one other photo and it is very similar. I tend not to shoot too many in a sequence, not sure why. It’s not like I ever shot film seriously. Love the analogy BTW.