Moving Beyond Perfect Photographs

There’s a huge difference between a great photograph of a place and a great photograph. One draws your attention to a location or a subject where as the other generates a visceral and emotional response. In this age of amazing digital cameras and associated software and techniques capable of producing “perfect” exposures, all we are left with is what truly matters in any creative endeavor – a human expression of what you think and feel, an opinion.

For me, fine art photography is all about an opinion – and if I don’t have one about my subject, then it will be very difficult if not impossible to get others to feel something about my work. This has huge implications when I exhibit my work at art shows or galleries. Typically it is the images I feel most strongly about that seem to sell the best. By strongly I don’t mean that I like the image, but rather that I have a very strong feeling about what I photographed.

The subjects and places that inspire me the most are the ones I want to visit, tell others about, and of course photograph. Without that special motivation, I am just taking snapshots – something my camera, and all modern cameras these days, can do fantastically well.

Do you feel strongly about what you photograph? Do you feel something special when you look at the art you have on your walls? Ask yourself these questions the next time you are at an art show – either selling your work, or looking for a photograph to hang in your home.