Digital BW, The Print

Well many interesting comments and thoughtful answers although I'm a 
little worried about the guy that doesn't know why he likes one 
pizza 
more than the other (one taste better maybe?) a lot I will use in 
the 
introduction to the training session. Thanks for the great responses.

One thing I had in mind when I posed the question is the power we as 
a society bestow upon 
the photographic image. Through our understanding and associations 
we 
give the photographic image the ability to transform and become 
significant. Every photograph of any quality or subject over the 
years becomes a document of what was and what is now not. A 
photographic image can grew in importance and significance. It can 
show more than it originally showed. 
A stupid 
shot of my dad standing proudly next to his new 1950 cadillac has 
through the magic of time become a document of my personal family 
history, a view of what affluence meant and looked like in the 50's, 
an image of a 
driving machine unlike anything made today. The simple image  has 
grown in significance. 
 Photographs  have the a power to affect us on a very deep 
human level. We can relate to images, war photos remind us of the 
sacrifices, a photograph of cat hanging from it's claws becomes a 
poster found in offices world wide encouraging us to hold on. 
Footprints on wet sand makes us think of Jesus. A simple 
although excellent photograph of a clearing storm makes it's way to 
the white house and symbolizes the need to perserve wilderness.
We take pictures in the same way "we" use to scratch on walls with 
burnt sticks-they are symbolic (although at first they seem literal) 
representations of who we are and how we live and what we find 
important.

Jnhugo,

Why do wet footprints on sand make you think of Jesus?  It may surprise you
to learn that many of "us" don't get the connection.

On 6/29/07, jnhugo <jnhugo@...> wrote:
>
>   Well many interesting comments and thoughtful answers although I'm a
> little worried about the guy that doesn't know why he likes one
> pizza
> more than the other (one taste better maybe?) a lot I will use in
> the
> introduction to the training session. Thanks for the great responses.
>
> One thing I had in mind when I posed the question is the power we as
> a society bestow upon
> the photographic image. Through our understanding and associations
> we
> give the photographic image the ability to transform and become
> significant. Every photograph of any quality or subject over the
> years becomes a document of what was and what is now not. A
> photographic image can grew in importance and significance. It can
> show more than it originally showed.
> A stupid
> shot of my dad standing proudly next to his new 1950 cadillac has
> through the magic of time become a document of my personal family
> history, a view of what affluence meant and looked like in the 50's,
> an image of a
> driving machine unlike anything made today. The simple image has
> grown in significance.
> Photographs have the a power to affect us on a very deep
> human level. We can relate to images, war photos remind us of the
> sacrifices, a photograph of cat hanging from it's claws becomes a
> poster found in offices world wide encouraging us to hold on.
> Footprints on wet sand makes us think of Jesus. A simple
> although excellent photograph of a clearing storm makes it's way to
> the white house and symbolizes the need to perserve wilderness.
> We take pictures in the same way "we" use to scratch on walls with
> burnt sticks-they are symbolic (although at first they seem literal)
> representations of who we are and how we live and what we find
> important.
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Foot prints on wet sand makes me think of life at the beach. I don't ever
think of Jesus when I smell sea weed either. 

 

Eric Neilsen Photography

4101 Commerce Street

Suite 9

Dallas, TX 75226

http://e.neilsen.home.att.net

http://ericneilsenphotography.com

Skype ejprinter

  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sandy
Schaffell
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 10:13 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Revisited Why do you take/make photographs

 

Jnhugo,

Why do wet footprints on sand make you think of Jesus? It may surprise you
to learn that many of "us" don't get the connection.

O> Footprints on wet sand makes us think of Jesus. 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You might also want to check out Robert Adams' 1994 book, "Why People 
Photograph."

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Sandy Schaffell" 
<sschaffell@...> wrote:
>
> Jnhugo,
> 
> Why do wet footprints on sand make you think of Jesus?  It may 
surprise you
> to learn that many of "us" don't get the connection.
> 
> Really? How many of "us" did you survey to come to that conclusion?
Jack

Jack, the "us" I surveyed thought more of Robinson Crusoe on the desert
island.  I must have overlooked you.  Who do you think of when you see
footprints on the sand?

On 6/30/07, jnhugo <jnhugo@...> wrote:
>
>   --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com<DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Sandy Schaffell"
> <sschaffell@...> wrote:
> >
> > Jnhugo,
> >
> > Why do wet footprints on sand make you think of Jesus? It may
> surprise you
> > to learn that many of "us" don't get the connection.
> >
> > Really? How many of "us" did you survey to come to that conclusion?
> Jack
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Sandy Schaffell"
<sschaffell@...> wrote:
>
> Jack, the "us" I surveyed thought more of Robinson Crusoe on the desert
> island.  I must have overlooked you.  Who do you think of when you see
> footprints on the sand?
 DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com<DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "Sandy Schaffell"
> > <sschaffell@> wrote:
> > > Why do wet footprints on sand make you think of Jesus? It may
> > surprise you
> > > to learn that many of "us" don't get the connection.
> > >
> > > Really? How many of "us" did you survey to come to that conclusion?
> > Jack

I must admit, this reference escaped me too, despite a Christian
upbringing. It's really a good reminder that interpretation of images
is always predicated on the cultural influences of the viewer. I
suspect that certain things are probably innate -- appreciation of
symmetry seems to occur in lots of other species, not just humans.
It's also possible that the golden section ratio is hardwired
somewhere too, probably because it also appears everywhere in nature
-- appreciation of both it and symmetry are probably associated with
avoiding eating (or mating with!) damaged or deformed plants and animals.

I am tempted to add perspective to this list, but looking at the
history of art tends to argue against this -- perspective in 2D
representations is really quite a recent thing, particularly 3-point
perspective, so this probably isn't hardwired for 2D representations
at least. So, if even perspective is essentially a cultural
interpretation, this is highly suggestive that an awful lot of what we
assume everyone else to implicitly understand is actually really not
something that can be taken for granted.

Interestingly though, it might mean that images based on symmetry and
the golden ratio only *might well* transcend cultural boundaries.
Definitely food for thought.

Sarah

Reading the responses, I conclude that they're all from people who take their camera with 
them where they go and photograph what they come across. This might be on a daily trip 
to the market or a carefully planned and provisioned trek in, say, Yosemite. I operate 
differently, so perhaps my point of view might be interesting to the group.

I create a situation where magic can happen and then I work it

1. In response to my challenge to do important, original and excellent work - with no 
excuses;

2. To leave the world better than I found it;

3. As a means to meet interesting people;

4. To have fun;

5. Because I must.

Hope that doesn't come across as too sophomoric, but it is what it is.

michaelrosen.com (adults only)

Michael