![]() But I think most people will better appreciate and remember the picture when the artist communicates their intent. The questioning and remembering is a huge part of why I’m a photographer in the first place.Īnyone can make a picture of a tree, whether a photographer, painter, or illustrator. It’s because I want to remember the subject or moment–or more importantly a question or idea that strikes me upon experiencing the subject or moment. There’s a consistent reason why I choose to make a photograph. “Just Enough Dirt” -It doesn’t take a lot to flourish for these side-walk plants along a street in Warrenton, Fauquier County. I do this not to inflict my artistic intent on anyone, but only to help explain why I thought it was important to make the picture in the first place. When I can, I like to include at least an inkling of the backstory or concept behind each of my photographs. On this matter, I agree with the youngsters. But that doesn’t mean I have no opinions about what makes a photograph engaging, interesting, and moving. In fact, I have no formal schooling in photography or the arts at all. I don’t have an MFA (that’s a Master of Fine Arts degree). In his day, photographers would exhibit single photographs on a wall or in portfolios or books–usually titled but nothing more–and let the images “speak for themselves.” Rantoul believes that the old way was better, because each viewer of an image could study the image without interference and develop his/her own interpretation, and thus realize a more fulfilling experience. He blames this trend to narrate photographic images on what’s being taught in MFA courses, and finds it inferior to when he was an emerging art photographer. ![]() He made other points, but this is the one I want to talk about today. What did he find ‘disturbing?” That young photographers today typically include written narratives along with their photographs. The title of the article was “A Disturbing Trend.” Recently I read an article by Neal Rantoul, who writes for Luminous Landscape. ![]() So, should visual artists try to explain their creations, or just let them speak for themselves? ![]()
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