<\/p>\n
There\u2019s an interesting pattern to the comments on flickr and other photo sharing sites.\u00a0 Most of the comments tend to of the flattering type or they tend to be technical.<\/p>\n
The \u2018flattering\u2019 comments are words like \u2018Spectacular,\u2019 \u2018Stunning,\u2019 \u2018Amazing,\u2019 \u2018Beautiful\u2019 and the like.\u00a0 This no doubt means your photographs are having an impact on people and it\u2019s nice to know that people are enjoying them.\u00a0 It\u2019s also often a gracious complement which is always nice to receive.\u00a0 The thing that\u2019s missing is anything you can use to grow as a photographer and artist.<\/p>\n
The \u2018technical\u2019 feedback is comments like \u2018great color,\u2019 \u2018good use of the rule of thirds,\u2019 \u2018nice leading lines,\u2019 \u2018you nailed that exposure\u2019 and so on.\u00a0 These are comments that have to do with the things like composition, color palate, exposure, focus and all the other techniques you employ when capturing the image or during the post processing.\u00a0 This is good feedback on your technique and occasionally brings something to your attention that you may not have been aware of.\u00a0 These comments are more helpful.<\/p>\n
So here\u2019s a suggestion to the viewer.\u00a0 When viewing an image, ask yourself, \u201cWhat do I feel, what is it saying to me?\u201d\u00a0 Linger on the image for a while and become aware of the effect it has on you, the emotion it creates in you.\u00a0 You\u2019ll not only appreciate the image more but it can change the way you experience other art.<\/p>\n And to the photographer, I have this suggestion.\u00a0 When capturing an image ask yourself, \u201cWhy an I taking this photograph?\u201d\u00a0 Try to connect with your subject and tap into the feelings you are having.\u00a0 To do this you need to slow down.\u00a0 In fact, there\u2019s an exercise I like to do on photography workshops that helps students to do just that.\u00a0 When we arrive at a location I ask them to get out and leave their gear in the car.\u00a0 I ask them to slowly, quietly walk around and feel the area we\u2019re about to shoot.\u00a0 When they get a sense of what it is saying to them then get their cameras and try to capture it.<\/p>\n Slowing down is something we have a hard time doing in our hectic lives.\u00a0 Art from both sides \u2013 that of the viewer and that of the artist \u2013 provides an opportunity to take things more slowly, to appreciate and understand them more fully.\u00a0 And magically, doing this can help us to understand ourselves more.<\/p>\n Join me on an upcoming workshop.\u00a0 Click here for more details.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ralphnordstromphotography.com\/images\/am_southwest\/upper_antelope_canyon_2_2006.jpg\")
<\/a>The comments you rarely see are \u2018This photo gives me a feeling of peace and quite,\u2019 \u2018I can feel the energy,\u2019 \u2018There\u2019s a lonely quality to this image,\u2019 \u2018This one is uplifting.”\u2019\u00a0 Comments like these are ones that get to the heart of art.\u00a0 Artists, no matter what their medium, create their works of art because they\u00a0 have something to say.\u00a0 Art is communication.\u00a0 The technical things we use serve the purpose of communication.\u00a0 It\u2019s nice to know that the viewer appreciates your technique but it\u2019s also nice to know what message the photograph communicated.\u00a0 At least for me, these comments are the most helpful.<\/p>\n