What makes a successful photograph?
That will vary for each of you, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish through your photography.
What makes a photograph successful? That will vary for each of you, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish through your photography.
That is the opening statement of "Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography" by Mike Davis, and it made me close the book, take a long sip of coffee, and consider my work over the last 30 years or so.
As a photographer, I’m not sure if photography loves me as much as I love it. I often feel as though I am in hot pursuit of the perfect photograph. I have it in my sights most days, and with outstretched fingers trying to grab hold, missing the mark time and time again.
Worse is when I do hit the mark. I capture the photo to find out that I am the only one who can see it.
I was trying to accomplish two different things with these photographs. With the photograph of the turtle, I was trying to capture the surprise and excitement of seeing this cute little turtle in my path. He appeared to be smiling and looking over his shoulder, as if he wanted to be photographed, so I wanted to showcase the cheekiness of his personality.
I think I got part of the way there, but the ground has a very busy texture and color, and the turtle’s shell is also very busy. I find when I look at the photo that I'm fighting my desire to look at the ground almost the entire time. When I lock in on the turtle’s face, it's cute, but I'm not getting what I set out to get. I'm still glad I have the photo, though.
The second photo of the orangutan, which I'm now calling Ishmael, is, in my opinion, a successful photograph. Let me tell you why:
Further reading on intersection one reveals a list of factors that make a photo more compelling to the viewer. This list includes elements beyond the standard leading lines, contrast, and colors, as well as the rule of thirds indicators that we are all familiar with.
I'm paraphrasing, but the list is the following:
A compelling purpose
A fully realized aesthetic that conveys and magnifies the purpose
Technically well shot
The purpose of this photo was to convey my feelings while I was looking at the orangutan. I felt lonely and bored. I wasn't bored looking at the animal; I felt like the animal was bored. As someone who experiences the paralysis of boredom and the hopelessness that comes with the absence of intellectual and physical stimulation, I can empathize with the feeling of being trapped and the boredom of being confined.
The aesthetics in the image that pertain to the photograph's purpose were right there for the capturing. There is a great distance between the group of people and the subject, but the crowd was still close. We were close enough that if orangutans and humans had a way to communicate with one another clearly, we could've gone over our plans for the weekend. We could've made a lunch date.
As for the technical aspects of the shot, it has good foreground, midground, and background. The color editing is a matter of taste, which is why some people will look at this picture and not like the color edit. Color editing aside, I think this photo evokes a response in people, and that's why they look away from it so quickly.
Photographic success is subjective.
Not everyone will agree that the message of your photograph was conveyed effectively or that your photograph was technically proficient, though this is an area where opinions often diverge, as standards and technical aspects are involved.
What matters is that you, as the photographer, can take the photo, examine it, and decide personally if it was a successful photograph. Then you can share it with others. Show them the reason it's important to you. The reason you believe this photo is successful.
Maybe people will start to see the photograph the way you do and understand your work a bit more.
The benefit is a broadened mind, a broadened perspective.
Links and Affiliate Links:
Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography by Mike Davis
→https://bookshop.org/a/94915/9781032262857 Support Local Booksellers by Shopping at Bookshop.org.
→https://amzn.to/46jc88f - Amazon
Find a used copy on Thriftbooks.com (Not an affiliate link).
You can purchase a print of Ishmael here - https://fieldworkframes.darkroom.com/products/1724655
Thank you for reading and happy documenting.