Just thought I'd share what I wrote for photography class. Let me know what you think! And yes, it's a bit long lol
Photographs are more than just prints on paper or images on a screen. Each image is a different view of the world see through a small glass lens. A camera, whatever style, size or price, does the same exact thing. It captures a small piece of the world and translates it to film. A simple enough chemical process produces mind-blowing, simple, elegant and not-so-good images. Although technical aspects play a large part in the physical make-up of a photograph, the subject and photographer are what sets it apart from any other style of art.
Unlike paintings, photos capture the world in it’s most raw form. An artist can paint an apple but a photographer can capture every detail of it’s skin, the shadow cast and the depth of field in an instant. The “man behind the camera” controls what the viewer will see. He/She can take an ordinary scene and with the right framing, create a masterpiece, full of action, drama and emotion. Robert Frank’s View from Hotel Window - Butte, Montana is simply a shot out of a hotel window onto a small, desolate mining town. Frank’s framing, however, makes it more than just a photo. It’s a window into someone else, how they feel, how they see things.
A photo is a snapshot of reality. Taken in a moments time, it freezes time, allowing the viewer to see what is really there, what they don’t see everyday. Photography isn’t about being all artsy and finding the coolest scene to capture. It’s about seeing the world for what it really is and noticing what is already in front of us. A true photographer doesn’t need to set the stage for every photo they take. Keeping in mind the subject, frame, exposure and focus, a photographer can create beautiful images while sitting on their couch or walking through a rainforest.
Nick
