Elements of an Image
I have to admit… I’ve never systematically thought about my images, what I like about some images, but not so much about others. Aside from reading the 8th edition of Aaron Sussman’s The Photographers Handbook given to me by my uncle a long, long ago when I was shooting film, I haven’t read much on how to improve my photography. It’s always been trial and error, the feel of a particular moment, something that I can’t quite put my finger on that separated what I considered my best images from the rest and guided any improvement I have made in 35 years of making pictures.
I am not exactly an early adopter of things…during the past 6 months I have picked up listening to podcasts (no, I’m not kidding). Finding Derrick Story from a stray tweet of a photography rumors site led me to The Nimble Photographer and from there The Digital Story. Google led me to Valerie Jardin and from both sources, Ibarionex Perello. The influence of listening to hosts and guests talk about photos they make or adore has me thinking about my own images and what I find of endearing worth in them. These thoughts have led me to something of a framework towards evaluating my images.
I mention all of this because I bought a book about photography and I will be reading and ruminating on it soon. The book is the Heart of the Photograph by David Duchemin. David has been a guest multiple times on episodes in these venues. As I listen to him I find myself thinking more about the images I make. I find his comments insightful in ways I can relate to. So I bought one of his books. I have the expectation that my image making and images themselves could well change in some way. So I am writing this as a stick in the ground, a place to mark where my skills and philosophy about them are in this moment. Down the road I can look back and reflect if they have changed in anyway.
For me, there are three components to an image that I value and take pride in. One of these is essential, the others are force multipliers. Neither of the force multipliers are sufficient on their own to carry an image into my heart.
For me the key component to an image is its composition. It is the essential thing. What to place in the frame and how to place it within those confines makes both, images and photographers. I believe there are those born with an inherent knack or eye for composition. For others, it is learned by studying masters and patiently waiting for their own voice to reveal itself. What is composition? Story, emotion, geometry, message, meaning, metaphor, abstraction, realism, color, texture, lines, arcs and curves, an expression, a moment . All are elements of a story that is too long to discuss in this post, nor are they, as of yet, completely expressed as fully developed thoughts in my mind, but I know they all matter.
The second element to mention is the technical execution of a photograph. It is a force multiplier, by itself it is nothing. As a force multiplier, the effect of an absence of technical execution is primarily that of a demerit, degradation or distraction from the artist’s compositional expression. Today we make pictures with equipment that facilitates technical execution in ways photographers 50 years ago could never imagine. But this does not, nor will it ever detract from iconic images of the past. When a classic image grabs us, it is the composition that is reaching out to us, demanding attention.
Finally – Light. Photographers lament romantically about the core of their essence being the pursuit of light. But again, light is a force multiplier. Some night, go out and stare at a dark place in the night sky. Realize it or not, that area of space has light radiating through it in quantity enough to make an infinite number of amazing photos but it is hidden from us. Light is nothing until it is reflected off a compositional element. Texture, color and shape filters and gives form to the invisible light that radiates from the sun and stars of the sky or glow of an electronic device. Light then gets us back to composition, of which it is a fleeting element that is difficult for us to control. When we are able to harmonize it with the other elements of our composition, truly great images are made, the solid becomes spectacular, the memorable becomes eternal.
I feel fortunate that others have suggested that I have been granted an innate sense of composition. It comes easy to me. For me the challenge to growth is the humility to learn skills towards better execution and the patience to wait for and the vision to direct the fleeting light that is the spirit of our epiphany.