ecently we had a discussion here
at MOST about what makes a good
photograph. I wanted to talk about
photography in this note to you, and it took me
back to that staff discussion. When we had
talked about it, we discussed components of
the picture, light, subject, composition, focus,
etc. But how do we decide if a picture is good
from an aesthetic position?
Photography is a complicated art. It
takes diligence, practice, and a good dose
of OCD. In photography every detail matters.
The composition must be in balance with the
scenery, and colors have to be used in just
the right way. Background or scenery, and
one must always be mindful of capturing some
unintentional object that might be interpreted
the wrong way. I remember when I was growing
up we lived in a small town and most of our
shopping was done through catalogs. And of
course Sears and Roebucks was one of the
most popular (it was the 70’s). One edition
came in the mail and a model wearing boxers
shorts inadvertently was “advertising” a little too
much. Sears tried to get them back, but I doubt
that happened.
The wonder of photographs lies in what
can they can elicit in us. When I fall in love
with a photograph I do for reasons that are
emotional. When a photographer looks at a
picture there may be an emotional reaction but
also an appreciation for the art of capturing
the shot. The art of photography requires
many things, exposure compensation, lenses,
resolution, lighting, angles, it involves models,
maybe animals, babies, or athletes. One
sometimes is trying to capture something that
is moving or make something appear that
it is moving. There are so many variations
in photography that it is impossible to list
or describe all of the possible components
necessary to make photograph memorable.
So, can we put parameters or grades on
a picture for its beauty, its appeal, its emotional
impact? One may love a photo because of its
meaning. A precious picture can be slightly
out of focus, imperfect, but it has captured a
loved one’s smile; it earns a frame. Beauty,
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FAS HI O N
M A G A Z I N E || AUGUST 2015
appeal, value come from the meaning it wakes
in the viewer, the memories flashed back
upon or possibly dreams and possibilities.
There is an association that wins one over, an
association to something memorable, a time
in one’s life, or the people that one associates
with the memory. Of course the point of a
photograph may be to incite, or stir a viewer
to action. If a photo appeals, it is because one
is being led by memory, meaning or feeling.
No, we cannot define a list of things that make
a photograph esthetically beautiful, a beauty
that is characterized because of the emotions
it evokes is obviously subjective. And I will
disagree with the old axiom, beauty is in the
eye of the beholder no beauty is in the heart of
the beholder.
I hope that as you read through this
issue you find beauty that surprises you, or
maybe a new subject of interest that you had
not considered. More than that, I hope as
look at a picture you like, you think about the
meaning it has to you, why you paused and
studied it further. Was it a face, bold colors,
that perfect dress, a location or hair style? As
you read through this issue you will find we are
focusing on the cornerstone of our magazine
brand, stellar photography. We are focusing
on capturing your imagination and stirring
up any hot (see Burning Man layout) or cold
(Siberian feature) meanings. Does our cover
story with Danish pop, dance and R&B singer
and songwriter, Medina inspire you, or make
you reminiscent of your garage band days?
Many best awards and songs have her name
etched in, including Best Danish Act, New
Danish Name of the Year, Danish Hit of the
Year, Danish Co-Songwriter and Co-Pr