I stumbled across a gem of a video just recently over on LensCulture, found from another site – I suppose it is being passed around a bit now. We sometimes hear about the term “visualization” of photographs – essentially composing them in your mind before actually pressing the shutter. The short video clip is of Ansel Adams speaking about this aspect of making a photograph. I found his words quite inspirational. Thank you to Mark Silber and the Ansel Adams Gallery for the footage.
This reminds me of a key point when perhaps a critic is questioning a photographer’s interpretation of any particular scene. Whether it reflects “reality” or not quite frankly becomes irrelevant if the photographer is trying to recreate what was seen in their mind’s eye to start with. Unless someone has some psychic photo-mojo powers, only the photographer really knows what it should look like. That mind’s eye can be a fickle thing – what it should look like today may not be what it wants it to look like in the future.
So if you are ever having any doubts about how to portray your subjects – take the advice from the man himself who was certainly one of the pioneers of developing an image into what he saw in his head, felt in his soul, and not necessarily only with his eyes.
Mr. Adam’s words are well spoken.
Thank you for this post. It is not likely that I would have found this on my own. I am always pleased to get validation on my belief that no two people will “see” the same scene or event even though both are looking at the same subject(s), at the same time, in the same light, behaving in exactly the same way. I am convinced that the internal will make a difference whether we like it or not.
Thanks for sharing that. Much appreciated. I always try to visualize the image. Sometimes it doesn’t work but I try!
Great post & yet, I’m always keenly aware that any attempts to render our 3D world in 2D is never going to be QUITE right…
Thanks for sharing that video clip.
You should go for it with the scanner Mark! I’d love to see some more 🙂
sorry for the double comment, but can you look at my work at Wedding Photographer in San Diego
do these photos, I know it’s not nature, but does it capture the essence?
Thank you. I am constantly looking for info to help me become a better photographer. This definitely helps.
Suzy, the header image is a rotating one, so each visit should reveal something new hopefully. I never really left u/w photography, just haven’t had the opportunity in a couple years now. I need to upgrade my u/w housings for a digital camera still. I have been tempted to fire up my slide scanner though to scan some new u/w photos in.
Thomas / Andy – thanks for the comments. The concept does offer a lot to think about in so many different ways.
It is an interesting thought, Mark, and your perspective — one I hadn’t consciously thought about. When two of us are at a location, do we both “see” the same view? Of course not. But I am pretty sure that I often — incorrectly — “assume” that others see the same thing I do, or maybe I make the value judgment that they “should.” This was a good observation to have me look inward and acknowledge that — as well as once again, to appreciate the vastness and wonder of the human “minds eye.” Thanks for this post, Mark.
Thanks for sharing this link Mark, hadn’t come across it before. I like the reference between external and internal events. I do think become more conscious about the internal events can help the ‘flow’ or the ‘being in the zone’.
interesting post. and btw I love the turtle shot you have showing as the main image today. Is that a new one? Are you going back to underwatre photography?