Some photos are of someone, while others are about someone. It's a crucial distinction
Of photos record facts and not much more. In writing terms, they tell rather than show. They are what they are, and may taste great but are certainly less filling. They're the photos you want to show your friends, because they're safe and easy to appreciate. Who doesn't like a nice sunset over the ocean or an Eiffel tower in the rain?
About photos convey things beyond fact--way far beyond, if they're good. Things that can't be measured and recorded--like attitude or mystery or sorrow or inner strength. But this kind of thing can certainly be felt in a photograph, and that's what makes them memorable and special and rare. It's also what makes them harder to share. People rarely like to expose their deep, inner feelings and emotions. It's much safer to enjoy such things safely inside your own head.
Shooting facts is easy; all you need is solid technical ability and you're there. Shooting beyond the facts is much harder, because it's elusive and fleeting and personal. Recording the wind speed outside only takes a handheld mechanical device. Recording how that windy day felt takes something much different.
That something much different is most likely empathy. And lots of it. But like Tom Cruise says in the old movie, Risky Business, "If you can't say it, you can't do it." Similarly, with empathy in your photos, if you can't feel it, you can't shoot it. So you have to be honest with yourself, and not confuse of and about. But you'll know the different when you feel it.
Of photos record facts and not much more. In writing terms, they tell rather than show. They are what they are, and may taste great but are certainly less filling. They're the photos you want to show your friends, because they're safe and easy to appreciate. Who doesn't like a nice sunset over the ocean or an Eiffel tower in the rain?
About photos convey things beyond fact--way far beyond, if they're good. Things that can't be measured and recorded--like attitude or mystery or sorrow or inner strength. But this kind of thing can certainly be felt in a photograph, and that's what makes them memorable and special and rare. It's also what makes them harder to share. People rarely like to expose their deep, inner feelings and emotions. It's much safer to enjoy such things safely inside your own head.
Shooting facts is easy; all you need is solid technical ability and you're there. Shooting beyond the facts is much harder, because it's elusive and fleeting and personal. Recording the wind speed outside only takes a handheld mechanical device. Recording how that windy day felt takes something much different.
That something much different is most likely empathy. And lots of it. But like Tom Cruise says in the old movie, Risky Business, "If you can't say it, you can't do it." Similarly, with empathy in your photos, if you can't feel it, you can't shoot it. So you have to be honest with yourself, and not confuse of and about. But you'll know the different when you feel it.
