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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
What Makes a Meaningful Photo?
Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 3:35 PM on 07.30.09 |
->> Through a non-profit museum in town, I'm teaching a 4-part photojournalism workshop for high school and college kids for their summer programs.
Last week, we discussed making photos and seeing differently and I showed a lot of my work from the past year and discussed some of the heavier subject matters.
One person asked me "What makes a meaningful photo for you?"
I told everyone in class to think about for tonight's class and we'd discuss it more.
My brief answer was that a meaningful image is something that makes me think about how I see the world, cultures and society and it may change how I see those things in the future.
Thanks,
~ nic |
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Colin Heyburn, Photographer
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ARMAGH | NI | United Kingdom | Posted: 3:43 PM on 07.30.09 |
| ->> The 64 thousand dollar question. for me it is a picture that simply grabs my attention by the wee round things and MAKES me study the picture. |
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Jody Gomez, Photographer
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Murrieta | CA | USA | Posted: 4:08 PM on 07.30.09 |
->> In regards to photographing people, I think it's capturing a moment or an expression that tells a secret about that person. When you take the time to really look at someone and see what's beneath the surface, and you are able to transfer that to an image, I think it makes a meaningful photo.
I also think a meaningful photo is one that think about after you stop looking at it. |
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Scott Evans, Photographer
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Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 12:19 PM on 07.31.09 |
| ->> Jody, I couldn't agree more with the second part of your answer. The only thing I'd add is that it might also make you want to act on what you've seen. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 12:42 PM on 07.31.09 |
->> First thing that popped into my mind when I read the post heading was...... Being Paid.
Guess that just makes me a jaded grump.
Putting money aside I think that Jody's answer is spot on. |
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Steve Ueckert, Photographer
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Houston | TX | | Posted: 12:47 PM on 07.31.09 |
->> For me it's any image that stimulates an emotional response.
Also, one that warrants a second look. |
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Will Powers, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 1:00 PM on 07.31.09 |
->> Doesn't it depend on the definition of meaningful? To whom? The picture of a child playing T-Ball is meaningful to a Mom or Dad. A picture of a child running away from a napalm attack during the Vietnam war is meaningful to a nation. I don't remember seeing a bullet going into the head of a prisoner telling me a secret about anyone.
Not trying to be a contrarian here, I think we're trying to be profound and make this a universal answer, but one needs to define their terms to make the answer have any sense. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 2:53 PM on 07.31.09 |
->> Will,
Good point. It definitely is a "historical landmark" thing that depends on the times, culture, etc.
I think I had subconsciously implied that it does depend on relation to whom.
Kind regards,
~ nic |
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Felix Marquez, Photographer
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Bethesda | MD | USA | Posted: 3:44 PM on 07.31.09 |
->> According to the definitions:
meaninful (adj.) Having meaning, function, or purpose.
photo (noun) A representation of a person, object or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
A meaninful photo transends the present therefore becomes part of history. A history at any level: personal, local, national or international.
A meaninful photo consist of the alternate distribution of highlight and shadow thus creating depth, form and shape things that stimulate a reaction or feeling,
F |
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Danny Munson, Photographer
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San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 3:54 PM on 07.31.09 |
| ->> Can't really put a definition on it but you know when you see it. |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 5:20 PM on 07.31.09 |
| ->> A Passionate Photographer. |
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Wally Nell, Photographer
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CAIRO | EG | EGYPT | Posted: 6:38 PM on 07.31.09 |
->> Meaningful, mmmmh, I think it is a very subjective thing. It's like saying a picture has impact, but impact is totally subjective to the viewer. I don't think you can make an objective statement or definition of what makes an image meaningful. You could perhaps say that a meaningful image will cause change or a response from the viewer that will make them act on it. However, what if the picture does not get published or not viewed by anyone? Is the image still meaningful, or does it depend on whether it gets published or not?
The meaning of life, we all have different opinions of it. Your view of the meaning of life will probably be reflected in your images. |
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