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How Important Is Subject Matter in Photography?
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May 22, 2020 20:35:17   #
Toleman
 
R.G. wrote:
You're right - photos capture an instant in time. But that doesn't mean that a captured instant can't tell a story. Perhaps your definition of storytelling is a bit too narrow. When is a photo ever NOT going to tell some sort of a story? For that to be the case it would have to be completely meaningless. That situation is perhaps much rarer than you realise. Even if somebody posted a shot as an example of a meaningless photo, what they would be saying is "This is what I mean by meaningless", and that itself gives the photo meaning.

You mention a "look in the eyes during a portrait shoot" - I would say that's a good example of how photos can tell stories. A look can speak volumes, as they say. And it doesn't have to stop at people. We could include the look of loyalty and attentive obedience that a dog can convey with a mere glance (the list goes on).

I'm sure you're aware that some people derive entertainment from ridiculing others. Typically that involves them ridiculing people or things that they don't understand or relate to. Most of us would describe that as a low form of entertainment. Is that what we can expect from you or can we expect better?
You're right - photos capture an instant in time. ... (show quote)


We seem to agree that a photo captures just split second in time and if we use the portrait as an example then the photographer has little idea how the " look " in the eyes of the subject is going to turn out. I cant equate that to story telling. A story surely is an intent to convey a message or describe a series of events.

What you can expect from me is clearly demonstrated in a number of posts I have made on UHH. As what appears to be your role is the guardian of all that is good I suggest you peruse those posts and let me know if you feel I owe an apology to anyone.

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May 24, 2020 21:40:21   #
frangeo Loc: Texas
 
Fotoartist wrote:
Does a photo need to tell a story or is a pile of random junk (albeit composed) a good enough subject?


There is many avenues you can go down in photography. Portrait, commercial, advertising, photo journalism, news photography, art and many more. So it depends on what you are trying to get for the end result. Your question is like asking what type of sound is needed for a good song. Answer, “that depends”.

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May 25, 2020 01:40:22   #
markjay
 
A pile of random junk is still a story.
Someone collected the junk.

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May 25, 2020 01:54:55   #
Bill P
 
This subject took a hard left after I posted my reply to the initial question. I stand by my statement that subject matter is more important that technical concerns, but in no way do i want that to mean all photos must tell a story. This guy looks goofy or that girl is hot or here's some pretty colors for an abstract is enough for me.

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May 25, 2020 02:19:51   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
Bill P wrote:
.....This guy looks goofy or that girl is hot....


That's a storytelling of sorts. In showing us what a person or thing or place is like, a photo is telling us something about them. The "story" is in the telling. You could extend that to include any meaning that a photo manages to convey.

It's perfectly legitimate to use that broader definition of what storytelling is. Understanding that broader definition and incorporating it into our photography will help us to make more interesting photos.

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May 25, 2020 03:40:06   #
markjay
 
The story is not always about "them". The story is often about the photographer. It reflects what the photographer wants to tell.
It's like news. You can watch CNN and you can watch Fox. They are both covering the same story. Is the story the story ? or is the story that each wants to tell?
Same for visuals.

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May 25, 2020 13:44:06   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
markjay wrote:
The story is not always about "them". The story is often about the photographer. It reflects what the photographer wants to tell.
It's like news. You can watch CNN and you can watch Fox. They are both covering the same story. Is the story the story ? or is the story that each wants to tell?
Same for visuals.


This is a very important point! If there is one thing photojournalists learn to do, it is to editorialize about a subject by picking their moments, angles, backgrounds, foregrounds, and perspectives. If you look at photos of the last 12 presidents taken by their official White House Photographers, then look at press coverage of the same presidents during their same years in office, you will see how this works...

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