The Camera Records Much More Than An Image

by John Neel

Cover – © John Neel

Cover – © John Neel

 

“The camera records what is behind it –  as much as it records what is in front of it.” – Author

The photographer is as much the subject of the lens as the things shown in a photograph.

The subjects you choose and the way in which you make an image tell a lot about you as a person.

Your photography is an indication of who and what you are as a person. Your work projects how you think as well as how you see the world. When you show your images to an audience, you are showing them a glimpse of yourself. When you show a body of your work, your audience gets to see even more of your point of view, how you think, what is important to your vision. You become the other thing that is photographed.

A good photographer is one who chooses subjects through an honest exploration and evaluation of their world. Good photographers are the recorders of life. As an image-maker, what you value is on display to whomever sees your work – good, bad, or ugly – insightful, caring or concerned. While they may not realize it, the audience responds to the work you show, at least in part, by what you show of yourself.

The images you choose to show tell us how wide your eyes are open, the range of your vision, the openness of your thinking, and the intensity of your engagement with your subject. A photograph gives us insight into your uniqueness and dedication to your subjects as well as the truthfulness of what you are attempting to show.

As such, it is best to be focused on the things that are most important to how you want to be seen. Your photographic skill, the camera used, or the equipment you own are secondary to what you show and how you show it. Rather, it is in growing a personal vision, which expresses the what, why and way you want the world to comprehend what you envision.

It is best to be yourself. It is best to be truthful to your own vision of the world. In doing so, you project the best of yourself to your viewer, which in turn offers your audience the best experience of your self-expression.

The camera views two sides of a view. The image reveals them both.

 

More of my photography articles that you might like:

Art is the story of man and his/her world

My Goal as a Photographer

Voices from a Future Child – A look ahead in time

Accepting the good, the bad and the ugly in Photography

The Other Half of a Photograph

Seeing the World as Sacred – As Miracle

– See more at: http://lensgarden.com/light/babel-vision/#sthash.38oevEek.dpuf

I cover many photographic topics and techniques in my book.  – Great Photography book for any creative Photographer.

I am currently working on a new book about photography, which I will announce when it comes closer to the publishing date.

Rethinking Digital Photography - John Neel

Rethinking Digital Photography – John Neel

NOTICE of Copyright: THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, GALLERY IMAGES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COPYRIGHT © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR lensgarden.com. THE IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE AUTHOR.

 

About the author