I’m leaving the HDR arena today to jump into an area that isn’t discussed much these days. It’s the use of a few artistic quotes from photographers who seem to have a need to express themselves and define their work with some witty, interesting or provocative saying. And some of those sayings inherit a life of their own.
So here goes. Please don’t take this as a criticism of any long held opinion(s). This is just my opinion based on a logical approach to what’s being said and repeated.
- The Full Color Reality
Many photographers have many opinions about what constitutes genuine photographic expression when it comes to photographing people. One of the popular quotes goes like this.“When you photograph a man in color, you photograph his clothes. When you photograph a man in B&W, you photograph his soul!” Ted Grant (Current versions substitute “a man, his” with “people, their”. . .politically correct, ya know.)
That’s “Ooh Ah speak” used to redefine the photographic reality that life is in color and that the emotions of life are experienced in glorious, living color. Just think about it. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, truth is not monochrome. Art can be. But the true essence of an emotion is connected to reality and that’s color.
And that soul business. . .Hmmm! :-) Guess some of us have an existential need to express our existential ideas with vague existential generalities.
There are times when a black and white or some type of monochrome conversion will definitely add an artistic dimension to a portrait or candid image. But by going beyond the original image, the photo becomes simply art and not a realistic documentation of the situation.
To say that the essence or soul of a person can only be exposed with black and white is simply an artistic preference since whatever a soul is must be defined by the person using the word. Kind of like “you say it your way and I’ll say it my way”. Actually, the meaning of the Greek word, ψυχή psychē refers to soul as life, spirit or consciousness. (From my college days.) :-)
This seems to be the meaning that we accept in our culture. And even with that, when words like these are used, the context really determines the meaning. You can see how quotes like the one above can lead just about anywhere.
So, I’d really like to hear from anyone who is interested in agreeing or disagreeing with me. It’s always interesting to know why people accept an idea.
- Just for the Art of it!
Here are some “Artistic” conversions of the images that I’ve used above. Please compare and comment.
Interesting and thought provoking post Mark. I am coming around to the opinion that photographers use such quotes to distinguish them from other photographers. I really think that the general public who buy photos really don’t care about Color, B&W, HDR, Photoshop etc. They only have a positive or negative reaction to the image. It is other photographers who like to discuss these topics.
Thanks, Len. I tend to agree with your comment. I’m thinking about marketing some images and really won’t need to present anything but the image. In the past, my customers have only been interested in the product and not the process.
Great post Mark and yes…very thought provoking. Quotes from photographers are the individuals opinion on a subject and should be taken with a grain of salt. A photograph, a painting, a sculpture will drive a different emotion in each viewer and everyone will react differently to that piece of art.
Well said, Edith. I tend to lean toward realism in my tastes but also enjoy producing and seeing other artistic works.
Mark,
Great post. I’m not very philosophical and believe more of what Len said. I think most people unconsciously have a pre-define interest.
Unsure if this would be considered the same topic or not but I think the story that goes along with a photograph (which may be a quote) can make it have more of an impact. I personally think that is why Trey Ratcliff has become so successful (stuckincustoms.com). He tells wonderful stories along with his pictures. Another, Peter, who runs the blog http://prosophos.com has a gift of placing the right quote or giving his pictures the perfect title. These 2 people who are good photographers reach another level because the story that goes with their pictures make them even more interesting.
Interesting – I examine each photo as it is. I love color, and black and white. To me black and white tends to be more nostalgic. Capturing a persons personality and beauty whether color or b & w is a gift. I do think younger adults will prefer color.
Thanks for the comment, Pam. Interesting is a nice way of putting it.
My purpose is to show that the quote is off the mark when trying to define what is captured in a photograph. He was a news photographer back when b&w was the predominant medium for photography so his quote has to be viewed with that perspective. What you say about younger adults and color makes sense since b&w hasn’t really been used except for art in the last 40 years. Makes me feel really old. 
My view is that color is an expression of reality and black and white is art and people should re-think these old quotes before using them for their artsy utterances. For example, when I look at that shot of the kids in Morocco, first one, I remember the experience of being there and seeing, tasting, smelling the place. The b&w version is simply an artistic copy of the real experience. Either way, I like all of them.