color A Treatise on Resurrection

I think he was referring to his oeuvre and said: " Some seek, I find..." or something like that. I'm not certain I managed to render the exact weight of it in English, but I see it as a way of defining the unexplainable and mysterious nature of talent, or even genius in his case.

Untill I compose my answer the thread develpes....

 

Ton, I think that what I have said is that a priory ! a photo has to be well composed ! THECHNICALY well done, and touching the viewer. If it has these components, there are better chances to be successful,I agree with you on it,and with all of this, there is no guaranty...

 

I think that when a photographer has developed his skills and knowledge in the medium , he will know most of the time to make the distinction between good photo, excellent and mediocre. The definition is secondary. I agree with you that especially in the sites of this kind, there are many that are mediocre even though they don't think so. I think that one of the index is what real life has to say...

 

Fred, as much as I know about C, Bresson , he was a painter as well as a street photographer, and with his experience of the " "decisive moment" some of his works still looks as snapshots, very well done though.!

 

Nan Goldin is known to do snaps, at least in her early years as an art photographer, and her work is interesting and also well done.

 

So I agree with you about the INTENT! It has to be the beginning of the artistic approach, not only to preserve a memory, even though street photographers and photojournalists are doing exactly this, but the intent is to preserve human life in its many aspects., and if it is well done, that in my mind is the important aspect , not the definition.

 

Anyway I did not know about who invented the snapshots definition, thanks for the information.

 

I agree with you as well about family photos of the past, I don't know how much knowledge the photographers have had then, but I have many photos of my family/parents, very well done....

 

So to sum it up for me, the quality and intent are the main subjects, the definition is still second....and being humble in understanding that not all our photos are masterpieces....

Spontenaity aside, I think this is a reminder that even in the modern day, this man like all "gods" try to convey the idea of peace and understanding between men is a really good idea regardless of the statue that represents it.

 

I'm sure someone already touched on this, sorry to come in so late. Been busy lately.

 

Kirk

I have greatly enjoyed where the discussion has gone. There's little I can add, but the exchange today sparked a few thoughts. I think Pnina hit on an important issue regarding what differentiates snapshots from higher forms of art. I like her two-fold distinction of intent and quality. Fred's definition of a snapshot is a good one. A snapshot should evoke a memory of a person, place, event, but the goal is typically a reminder of something personally relevant and meaningful, not an end to itself. Photography proper may serve a larger function existing as means to communicate beauty, structure, philosophical and social issues, and so forth. It often exists as a means to an end and in its higher form spills over the side into something more universally shared. Although Nan Goldin may label her work as "snaps," it certainly speaks to something much more relevant than a personal diary of her own experiences. Her technique may be snapshot-like, but they are certainly no mere snapshots. The concepts of spontaneity and snapshots are two different issues, although they are sometimes merged. Of course, there's a lot of indiscriminate shooting and posting. People approach this hobby for many different motivations ranging from personal documentation to having a philosophical springboard to launch from to high art. My own motivation changes depending on where the wind is blowing, hence my schizophrenic portfolio.

 

 

This photo was spontaneously composed and quickly "snapped," but I don't see it as a snapshot at all. Again, to borrow from Pnina, my intent was to take an artistic photo, not to document a personal experience or simply to jog my memory later. The title was taken from a Gnostic gospel from the Nag Hammadi library. The Gnostics believed that salvation came from personal discovery rather than from outward expressions of faith. Within versus without. Jack's question of letting go is a good one. What does one have to let go in order to undergo a paradigm shift? I think his idea of letting go of the highly analytic, often self-critical, wagging finger adult in our heads that prevents us from seeing the world through fresh eyes. But I don't mean devolving to snapshots.

 

I've come to appreciate the lively banter that usually accompanies most of your unusual & creative shots. Like a few on this thread have alluded to, this touches me on many levels. Keep on generating discussions with your work, my friend. Nicely seen and executed.

 

Best regards,

 

-Ade

What a wonderful shot.. Looking for musical titles it could be "the power of love"... For me is easier reading english than writing. Your page is always a forum in itself. I learn about Jack and Fred and Gabi and Pnina and many others friends. Thanks again for sharing and for light this fire. Best regards to all of you.

I'm going to get in here one last time probably against my better judgement since the worms seem to be crawling baqck into the can at last. One of the first photo books I bought was "Elliott Erwitt Snaps". Since Erwitt was a professional photographer he often worked on assignment and was bound to take pictures on a particular topic or theme. In his free time he took pictures to please himself and these he called snaps. They have the same immediate, unstudied quality that I found in this picture; the moment hooked and netted as cleanly as possible in one smooth motion. It is, I think, that instant of personal delight, discovery or pleasure that lifts the "snapshot" out of the category of simple pictorial record and imbues it with the singular personality of the picture taker. The artist captures a bit of himself along with his subject and thus lives on in his picture.

Ade: I feel lucky that people come around and hang out. It certainly makes picture-taking and making much more fun. Thanks.

 

 

Jose: A lot of erudite folks showed up the party. I always learn by reading others' comments. Thanks.

 

 

Jack: I looked up Erwitt's work, and some of his photos were of course very familiar. I think at this stage of the game if I started taking pictures for others' applause rather than for personal delight, I'd hang up my camera. Photography luckily isn't my occupation (I think I'd starve if it were), so I can wander around and play and make mistakes and do dumb stuff and have a ball. I went to a bookstore the other day and ran into an older man (who later announced to the store his advanced age). He was looking through photo magazines and shaking his head about all these digital photos that have ruined photography. He then listed all the equipment he owned, totaling in the thousands of dollars. He told me how he struggled to achieve perfect photos with his arsenal of goodies. He then announced that he knew that he was a "real" photographer when he knew 100% how his pictures would look once developed. No surprises. I told him that in taking pictures, if I had a choice between perfection and enjoyment, I'd choose enjoyment. He laughed. I'm sure he was thinking, "What an amateur." Oh well. I've got a million different responsibilities in my life (work, parenting, and so forth) that requires me to fret and fuss about a myriad of details. The last thing I need is to transfer these anxieties to this hobby I enjoy so much. Not that I want to produce poor quality work...I don't know if this makes any sense or not. I'll quietly let the worms wriggle back into the can. Thanks.

...of Noah running off through a blueberry patch.

"...I don't know if this makes any sense or not"

 

it's one of the most sensible comments I've read on PN

!!!!!!

Me...again. Before I crawl back into my can, I've got to say something definitive and very subjective. Sorry, but I can't help it.

 

Eventually, after all the gripping discussion about snapshot, spontaneous, good, mediocre, bad...the only word for me that remains would be: talent, or gift.

 

OK, I know what you think, and I'll tell you that it's not because Van Gogh died in misery and ignored that he didn't have it, and it's not because Mr X is the charismatic Pop star photographer of the moment (quoting from you Jeff) that he has it. As the French saying goes: " Nul n' est prophete en son pays" ( No one is a prophet in their own country ).

 

It is funny that such a discussion should take place about a photograph representing Jesus, a prophet and a symbol of faith.

 

Talent or gift, a notion that if we really look at the heart of things is such an unexplainable one...just like faith. How can one truly explain emotion, feeling, love? Where does the artist's sweet inspiration come from? Why does my heart beat? Why Van Gogh? Einstein? Charlie Parker? Debussy.....?

I don't quite get the resurrection reference here, but still extremely interesting as are most good images with religious symbolism. For me, religion in a modernish context - Christ blessing our socially responsible developments, Christ telling us to cool it a bit, but with a hark back to the mid to early 20th century, and with ominous clouds in the background.

I forgot to write my conclusion.

 

This is a good photograph, Jeff, because it is you and what you have put in it: intention, craft...and your gift as a photographer.

Ton: Thanks. Much.

 

 

Laurent: Talent, inspiration, passion, execution, skill...yikes, so much goes into making art. It's exhausting just thinking about it. I get a lot of painting books and in looking at the "masters," I notice how much work went into honing their craft and how talent really needs a lot of practice. Thanks for your thoughts and wise words.

 

 

Roger: After I posted this, I thought less of the resurrection and more of Christ calming the storm. And perhaps that's the role religion serves, calming the fury (although sometimes it creates the storm, unfortunately). Thanks.

Conduct-tivity

 

 

Excellent!

 

Todd

Is the seeming "unusual" context for such a stature. It does however support the omnipresence of Christ (:-))! Cool juxtaposition.

Todd: I have a Conduct Disorder. Thanks.

 

 

Kelvin: The omnipresence of Christ is a nice take on this photo. Thanks.

an interesting shot. for me the stature seem to said " all, quiet. now " . besides thanks for your encouragement on my latest picture. regards.

A peaceful interpretation of this photo. Thanks!!!

don't think Jesus would have liked the wires as they bring distraction and prevent us from thinking of what is real and eternal

is the dude wired or what? Hope he doesn't get zapped when it's raining. Nice catch. Cheers, Micheal

Jeff, so many thoughts,philosophies,emotions and beliefs in response to this image. I see your great eye, your talent for composition, your compassion, as in so many of your images. My interpretation of this photo is simple- a kind face, arms embracing us in spite of our foibles and mistakes. Your kind comments have made me feel optimistic and positive !! Cheers. Denise

I hope that amidst all the trappings and failings of religion that your simple interpretation shines through. Thanks.