The Flowers and Paint Will Fade
Nov 13, 2019 15:30:02 #
But will the memories? Another victim of street violence.
Nov 13, 2019 15:45:53 #
This is the kind of shot I think would be very powerful in a photo essay. IMO it can't stand on its own unless you are willing to let us imagine the circumstances, such as auto accident. When you provide the context or history, it's a different experience. Hope this made sense; would love your take, Graham. Thanks!
Nov 13, 2019 15:52:51 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
This is the kind of shot I think would be very powerful in a photo essay. IMO it can't stand on its own unless you are willing to let us imagine the circumstances, such as auto accident. When you provide the context or history, it's a different experience. Hope this made sense; would love your take, Graham. Thanks!
I should have ended with a question mark as I don't know exactly what happened. Having been on the spot I know it couldn't possibly have been an auto accident as the street is a cul-de-sac only a few yards long.
Nov 13, 2019 16:11:58 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
This is the kind of shot I think would be very powerful in a photo essay. IMO it can't stand on its own unless you are willing to let us imagine the circumstances, such as auto accident. When you provide the context or history, it's a different experience. Hope this made sense; would love your take, Graham. Thanks!
You are very right Linda. With a picture devoid of any facts other than that someone apparently died here gives the originator of the image the opportunity to lead the viewer in any direction they desire. Just a few words accompanying a picture could start a war.
Nov 13, 2019 16:15:56 #
Graham Smith wrote:
Thank you, Graham! I was just looking over the last topic I hosted on descriptive/leading titles - it was two and a half years ago! Some great insights there, so I think I'll compile a synopsis (who wants to click on a link and read an old topic, even it's only two pages long You are very right Linda. With a picture devoid of any facts other than that someone apparently died here gives the originator of the image the opportunity to lead the viewer in any direction they desire. Just a few words accompanying a picture could start a war.
) and start a new discussion tomorrow.Nov 13, 2019 16:18:20 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Thank you, Graham! I was just looking over the last topic I hosted on descriptive/leading titles - it was two and a half years ago! Some great opinions and insights there; I'm thinking I'll compile a synopsis (who wants to click on a link and read an old topic, even it's only two pages long ) and start a new discussion tomorrow.
) and start a new discussion tomorrow.How topical that would be with all the current furore about false news
I'll click the link.
Nov 13, 2019 16:20:25 #
Graham Smith wrote:
I don't watch news, false or otherwise. It's the only way I can keep hold of the remaining thread of my sanity How topical that would be with all the current furore about false news
I'll click the link.
I'll click the link.
Here's the 2017 topic:https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-462991-1.html
.
Nov 13, 2019 16:59:41 #
I've just taken a quick look at one or two of the posts on your link and one thing that was said was that some sort of title was mandatory in order to post an image on here. So if you have to have a title you might as well make good use of it. How the title is used is down to the whim of the poster, descriptive, explanatory,
thought-provoking, whimsical or attention-grabbing. A title puts a handle on a picture that makes it easier to refer to.
thought-provoking, whimsical or attention-grabbing. A title puts a handle on a picture that makes it easier to refer to.
Nov 13, 2019 18:20:10 #
Graham Smith wrote:
The power of the word, as you said can even start a war.I've just taken a quick look at one or two of the posts on your link and one thing that was said was that some sort of title was mandatory in order to post an image on here. So if you have to have a title you might as well make good use of it. How the title is used is down to the whim of the poster, descriptive, explanatory, thought-provoking, whimsical or attention-grabbing. A title puts a handle on a picture that makes it easier to refer to.
As for UHH, your "Chairs on a Beach" gives people an idea of what they will see, but does not manipulate them or direct them to the story you wanted to tell. One of my Close-Up topics last year was "When Seasons Collide." I was definitely trying to influence with that.
With the silhouetted chairs, I had a different interpretation from what you later stated was your concept; does that make your photo unsuccessful, or me just dense?
I think I generally lean towards allowing people to have individual responses based on their own interests and histories, but there are many exceptions.Nov 14, 2019 07:32:02 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
This is the kind of shot I think would be very powerful in a photo essay. IMO it can't stand on its own unless you are willing to let us imagine the circumstances, such as auto accident. When you provide the context or history, it's a different experience. Hope this made sense; would love your take, Graham. Thanks!
I, for one, usually hate titles because I want to experience the 'totality' of the shot. In any form, an essay requires a title for its format. Many times, the author uses the first few words of the essay to fill the bill. In this particular example, the title is indeed provocative and succinct. I liked it.
In this shot, it could be a homage. The location of death, if there is one, being quite elsewheres.
Nov 14, 2019 08:10:31 #
Back to the posted photo: I like it; it says a lot. The painted message looks be someone spontaneously exhibiting his emotion. To me, the message is a lot more heartfelt than those little crosses placed at auto accident sites, which are so prevalent here in the Midwest.
Nov 14, 2019 08:18:48 #
As for the titles discussion, titles should reflect the content of the photos. I always shake my head when I see a title such as “Grand Tetons,” expecting mountains or scenics, but get a series of birds which could have been take almost anywhere. Those folks would have gotten a talking-to had they been in one of my composition classes.
Nov 14, 2019 08:22:41 #
Graham Smith wrote:
I should have ended with a question mark as I don't know exactly what happened. Having been on the spot I know it couldn't possibly have been an auto accident as the street is a cul-de-sac only a few yards long.
The question mark would dilute your personal reaction and interpretation of what you saw. Your shot made a statement to you.
As for auto accidents, you may be surprised as to their locations.
Nov 14, 2019 13:24:59 #
Graham Smith wrote:
But will the memories? Another victim of street violence.
No they won't. As I'm sitting here, I just heard of yet another school shooting in California. Will it ever end? I don't know what the solution is; and I'm not preaching, but something has got to change!
Erich
Nov 14, 2019 14:12:35 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
The power of the word, as you said can even start ... (show quote)
I don't think you were dense, as my take on that photo is that it had no particular intent. Just looking at it, one wondered what it was "about," If the beach chair shadows, why all the other stuff, unnecessary to that intent? If the whole scene, somewhat dark and decrepit to me, was the photo, what part did the chairs have, as they and the fabric were "pretty," but just plopped in the middle. Overall the scene itself was quite ordinary, the tones and colors contradictory without any composition to "focus" the intent. The title was almost mandatory for any idea. I even thought, maybe, it was an LGBTQ statement, but that made no sense as I tried to understand the photo.
So, titles in my experience can be meaningful, a cop out, whimsical, humorous--or any other human emotion or idea. I look, and, if a title helps, fine. If not, it doesn't bother me.
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