27 August 2008
Who’s Watching? - TWIP
Posted by
Scott under:
Articles
Photo by Scott Bourne
If you’re a photographer, chances are, you’re a communicator. Most of the photographers I know are really storytellers. They have something they want to say, and they use the medium of photography to do it.
While it would be easy to focus this post on the communicator, I want to focus it on the audience. That’s something rarely (if ever) talked about in the photo community. Too many photographers make images they like, and then go looking for an audience.
Serious communicators find an audience first, then go craft a story that fits the audience. Photographers should consider this approach as well. If you’re taking photos for kids, you better get down on your knees because they see everything from 30 inches. If you’re taking pictures for an intelligent audience, include lots of details. Get it?
If more photographers could learn this lesson, then the art and craft of photography would be considerably more important.
4 Comments so far...
Jon T Says:
27 August 2008 at 7:55 am.
That’s a really interesting question Scott. I wouldn’t call myself a storyteller, but I do want my pictures to illustrate the wonderful, beautiful, diverse world we are and which we inhabit. They satisfy me first, then others if I’m lucky. Not very commercial then is it? So your lesson is a good one!
Noir Says:
27 August 2008 at 11:25 am.
I totally agree with you. Many photographers can’t deliver the message they want through their pictures, they just don’t get it. Great post as always.
Bryant Johnson aka Yarnspinner68 aka DBJohnsonPhotography Says:
27 August 2008 at 6:18 pm.
Lots of food for thought. Thanks, Scott!
Chris Belyea Says:
28 August 2008 at 3:02 am.
As always, some great ‘now why aren’t I doing that’ angles :-0
