eye_catching_photos photos on Flickr

Christmas preparations - learning how to play carrol by (:Andrzej:)

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we all want to produce eye catching photo's....but at which point do we step over the line, I have tripped over it so many times I have lost count.....the point where I have zapped my colours, incinerated my pixels and basically murdered my original image all in the chase for views at all costs...but lines are meant to be crossed, challenged and embraced as is our boundless energy for creativity coupled with self expression and long may it be this way, this is photography, just step over the line.

C'est un monde signifié pour des rêveurs by Zeb Andrews

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A holga image from the gardens of Versailles. I photographed this scene three different ways with two different cameras and I will share them all with you. The version done with my Holga though was my favorite. I have become more and more fond of images that blur the lines a bit, that are not all clean and crisp and sharp, where each detail is spelled out clearly for the eye. I like photos that are closer to being dreams incarnate. Or photos that give my imagination room to roam. Interestingly, I heard the word "eye-catching" used a few days ago in conjunction with my photography. Specifically, I was told my images weren't very eye-catching. It didn't bother me - for a couple of reasons. In a sense, it was a bit of a reassurance truthfully. I don't aim to make photos that catch the eye. I don't aim to avoid the eyes either. For one, there are many more targets to aim for when it comes to your audience than their eyes. There are their hearts, their minds, their imaginations, and others, if you think about it. The eyes are a fairly easy target to hit. Just make something bright, saturated and sharp and you can usually hit the eyes. It is fairly easy, which isn't to take credit away from those photographers that do work in this area, I have seen stunning work that aims just for the eyes. I, myself, am more moved when a photo goes for my imagination or instead of visually impressing me, makes me feel a certain way. This to me is a more powerful means of communication, but it is a more difficult one to achieve too. Likewise with imagination.

I don't claim to be an expert on this myself, much of my efforts to make my photos more imaginative are constant works in progress. But one thing I have noticed is that aiming for the imagination is kind of opposite of aiming for the eyes. Less tends to be more. Whereas eye-catching photos like more detail, sharpness and color, more imaginative photos leave out bits and pieces, they create gaps that make their audience have to fill in themselves.

And I guess that is why I like this image the best of the three. To me it leaves more up to my imagination. So I will start here, then show you the sharper, more saturated color version done on the Hasselblad next. Then a black and white version also done on the Hasselblad. There is a subtle shift between the three I think that is worth taking up just a bit of your time for.

By the way and speaking of Holga, Lightbox Photographic is calling for entries for their Plastic Fantastic Show III, juried by the eminent Susan Burnstine. I would recommend submitting, attending, or both.

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