Most people with a camera go out into the world to find and take an image. The idea of capturing is one of realizing a subject and arresting it as a way to preserve it.
In my Backyard – © John Neel
There are also those who make images. There are those that have a concept of the image they would like to create. For them, photography is more of a visualization of an idea. The term that best describes this kind of work is – conceptual photography.
Conceptual photography might be thought of as a way of illustrating something (an idea) that the photographer is interested in conveying to an audience.
In advertising, conceptualized imagery is used as a basis for selling products. The concept of an ad is usually a situation that helps to promote the product. In most situations, the product is the sole objective of the concept. In most cases the concept is a “for profit sales pitch” and has little to no moral benefit for the viewer.
Self – © John Neel
However, in fine art photography, image-makers use pre-visualized concepts to produce imagery in order to express a story, a theory or a point of view about a topic of concern. It is generally used as a way to show us something that may be socially, environmentally and ethically important to understand.
In conceptual photography, the idea is the most important aspect of the work. The idea is more important than the photographed object, the method of production or the image composition.
In conceptual photography the idea is the actual subject of the image. The image acts as a delivery system, which contains visual cues, which need to be addressed by the viewer. The idea may be formed as a question or as a problem to solve. The concept is meant to make the viewer think about what is presented. It requires a degree of intellectual contemplation for understanding the intended message. The concept works as a puzzle.
While all great images should make you think about what is shown, the conceptualized image is one that has gone through a process that fashions an idea into a visual creation.
Although usually constructed or staged, a concept as created by a fine art image-maker is almost always about the real world. It can be a single image or a sequence. It can be about almost any subject. It can also be produced with any photographic device that is capable of capturing the idea. In fact, the camera used can contribute to the conceptualization. As example, a pinhole camera may be the best choice to produce the most effective results.
By whatever means it is created, it is usually worth your time to understand the image.
A few of my favorite conceptual photographers are Patrick Nagatani, Cindy Sherman and Duane Michals. There are many others.
You might say that a conceptual photograph is about seeing an idea. While it takes skill for any kind of photographic image, you might think about the making of an image as more of an imaginative and inventive form of photography. The self-manufactured image is created as a pre-visualized concept rather than an image that is found and taken (recorded).
You can read about my book “Rethinking Digital Photography” here.
Please have a look at some of my other posts here.
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