John Suler's PhotoPsychology
The Ghost of Photography Present
Some photographers wax the poetic about how photography puts them in touch with the present moment, seeing things for what they really are, with a clarity of mind and purposeless purpose that resembles meditation. I can get into that Zen attitude about photography. I really can. In fact, I have an essay about it in my book on photographic psychology.
However, I think we should also be a bit honest with ourselves. When we take a photo, we take ourselves OUT of the situation, at least for a fraction of a second. We become the detached observer who is trying to record the moment. Taking shots of a party just isn’t the same as participating IN the party.
Some photo-journalists talk about being in a situation that is so powerfully tragic, horrifying, or emotional, that they almost forget to take a shot. Then they remind themselves, “I HAVE to capture this moment.”
OK, maybe the people in the situation, who are immersed in that powerful situation, can forgive the clicking of the camera and the attempt to permanently capture their experience. Maybe they’ll understand it as an gesture of empathy, which is, hopefully, at least part of the photographer’s motivation.
But the other part of the photographer’s motivation is future-oriented: the need to preserve the moment for others to see. It’s a way to comment on the experience, rather than just experience it.
I’m reminded of the story of a Zen student who accompanies his master on a walk up a mountain. The scenery is so spectacular that the student feels compelled to say, “This is so beautiful!”
“True,” the master responds reluctantly, “but what a shame to have to say so.”
The Ghost of Photography Present
Some photographers wax the poetic about how photography puts them in touch with the present moment, seeing things for what they really are, with a clarity of mind and purposeless purpose that resembles meditation. I can get into that Zen attitude about photography. I really can. In fact, I have an essay about it in my book on photographic psychology.
However, I think we should also be a bit honest with ourselves. When we take a photo, we take ourselves OUT of the situation, at least for a fraction of a second. We become the detached observer who is trying to record the moment. Taking shots of a party just isn’t the same as participating IN the party.
Some photo-journalists talk about being in a situation that is so powerfully tragic, horrifying, or emotional, that they almost forget to take a shot. Then they remind themselves, “I HAVE to capture this moment.”
OK, maybe the people in the situation, who are immersed in that powerful situation, can forgive the clicking of the camera and the attempt to permanently capture their experience. Maybe they’ll understand it as an gesture of empathy, which is, hopefully, at least part of the photographer’s motivation.
But the other part of the photographer’s motivation is future-oriented: the need to preserve the moment for others to see. It’s a way to comment on the experience, rather than just experience it.
I’m reminded of the story of a Zen student who accompanies his master on a walk up a mountain. The scenery is so spectacular that the student feels compelled to say, “This is so beautiful!”
“True,” the master responds reluctantly, “but what a shame to have to say so.”