civilized ku # 447 ~ surprise - pt.II, shock and, sometimes, awe
Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 11:03AM 
Roadside gully ~ In the Adirondack PARK - Au Sable Forks, NY • click to embiggenI have mentioned it previously, on more than a few occasions, that I really enjoy looking at my own pictures. I imagine that's true for most artists because it's hard for me to imagine an artist who doesn't like to look at the product of his/her own work.
And, while it's true that, when looking at a finished print, I do "surprise" myself at times, most of the time the surprise is more along the lines of how much better a picture looks than I thought it would when I was in the act of making it with a camera. To be honest, I always feel that any picture I make will look good - I know what I'm doing and my eye is pretty fine tuned at the art of seeing.
What I mean by "fine tuned at the art of seeing" is simply that, even though I understand neither the genesis nor the ongoing impetus of it all, I do know my eye is attracted to a rather specific range of visual stimuli which, if pictured and presented with some sensitivity, skill, and application of craft, will result in pictures that I enjoy looking at. I also know that others will enjoy looking at those pictures as well.
And, it should go without saying but I'll say it anyway, I enjoy it when others enjoy looking at my pictures as well.
However, all of that said, here's what I am wondering about - I make pictures, first and foremost, for myself. I don't play to an audience. That does not mean that I do not appreciate what an audience has to say about my pictures or how they react to seeing them. However, the audience that I care most about is not that comprised of other picture makers, but that comprised of the "average" non-artist observer.
That does not mean that I do not appreciate the admiration and adulation - kept those cards and letters coming - of my picture making peers but, in fact, I don't expect that I will "surprise" many of them (if any at all) with my pictures. I assume that most of my well-rounded, visually-literate peers have "seen it all", so to speak, photography-wise. If they (and I) are a lucky, we'll get a few photography surprises in our life time but, in fact, true photography surprises are few and far between.
However, the "average" non-artist observer hasn't "seen it all". What they have most commonly seen is the ubiquitous, never-ending stream of pretty picture dreck with which they are presented on daily basis. Consequently, they have been conditioned - one might say, "brainwashed" - into thinking that pretty picture referents are the only referents worth pointing a camera toward.
Therefore, when confronted with my pictures, the "average" non-artist observer most often doesn't know what to think but what seems to surprise them the most is that they have to actually think - to actually engage their brains when viewing a picture. They seem rather startled to realize that viewing a picture can be something more than just a "wow, isn't that pretty" moment.
And, more often than not, after getting past the initial shock resulting from the conflict in their head between what they have been told is a good picture and seeing a nonconforming picture that somehow someway interests them nevertheless, the first thought that emerges from their mouths is some variation upon the idea that, "I pass by stuff like that all the time and I would never have even thought of taking a picture of that". A comment in reaction to which the first thought that enters my brain (but usually doesn't leave my mouth) is, "get in the fast lane granny, the bingo game is about to start".
The "would never have even thought of taking a picture" reaction is almost always a precursor to the thought that they, the "average" non-artist observer, may have been missing something well worth paying attention to that is right under their very noses. That while they were killing time, as it were, looking waiting for the next big surprise, there were little surprises busting out all over the place just waiting to be seen. They seem to experience a wake up and smell see the roses moment, that IMO, is a joy to behold.
So, I'm wondering - what do you like to hear or see from your audience?
Reader Comments (5)
I like "there are little surprises busting out all over the place just waiting to be seen." So very true Mark and that's what keeps me out there and in it.
Mostly, I like to hear, "Hiya". Like you, I take my pictures for myself. If someone likes one (or more), that's great. If someone doesn't, well, no big deal.
And, like you, I've gotten my share of, "What are you taking a picture of that for?" Pretty much those exact words came out of a little old lady who saw me taking this picture: http://sjconnor.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/discards-3/
I see no matter how deep you go into the Adirondacks a coffee cup will be sure to follow.
viewing a picture can also be a "wow- that isn't pretty" moment, as well.
Been there.
I guess most photographers and artists make things for their own pleassure. That's why I wouldn't be interested in exhibiting my own work or making a book. I make pictures to record my own life and to keep memories of times gone by alive somehow. I don't assume my work is interresting to anyonw else, except my family and friends - maybe. The only real feedback that would interest me from anyone else is "how much for a framed print?" followed by a "that's cheap, I'll buy the whole series!"... Cynical yes, but the fact of the matter is that I like you know when I've made a good photo. I don't need anyone else to tell me, although it is nice when they do.