Windows or Mirrors (Article)

[Isaac]

What I want is to create photographs where the viewer can peer into my own soul, that reveal the dreams, fears and emotions which accompany me through life.

Is that what the accompanying photographs do?

[adias]

Is that what the accompanying photographs do?

[Isaac]

It was intended as a straightforward enough question.

To me, the statement seems extremely overblown and I don't see that those photographs suggest that such a thing is being achieved or will be achieved.

I may well be missing something that others here can see.

[adias]

It was intended as a straightforward enough question.

To me, the statement seems extremely overblown and I don't see that those photographs suggest that such a thing is being achieved or will be achieved.

I may well be missing something that others here can see.

I agree, therefore my previous 'smile' emoticon.

[mbaginy]

...To me, the statement seems extremely overblown and I don't see that those photographs suggest that such a thing is being achieved or will be achieved. ...

Since only four photos (discounting his portrait) were shown, it would be nearly impossible to show.  But viewing his site, in my view, substantiates his remark.

[John Camp]

So, Isaac and Adias, there are two parts to the statement quoted by Isaac...and I assume before making your comments, you had a good close look at his soul, and a really profound grasp of what he's trying to achieve?

[stamper]

Personally speaking I think too many people see too much in an image. When they try to explain an image they are trying boast about their personal knowledge of photography rather than explaining what is merely there. And there is another group that have an over active imagination. My feeling for a good image is a gut instinct that is hard to explain.

[AreBee]

Mike,

...viewing his site, in my view, substantiates his remark.

Please can you describe what is revealed of Rafael Rojas' dreams, and the fears and emotions which accompany him through his life?

[Rob C]

Is that what the accompanying photographs do?

What they do, IMO, is not a lot. They are, to me, little more than competent images, akin to almost everything that I see on the Internet outwith some favourite photographers of my own. Why are they favourites? Because they own a handwriting.

And handwriting isn't simply about technical competence, as you well know.

But then, you enjoy the art of the wind-up! And why not, when so many 'artists' seek validation all around one.

;-)

Rob

[mbaginy]

Mike,

Please can you describe what is revealed of Rafael Rojas' dreams, and the fears and emotions which accompany him through his life?

Rob, the photographs Rafael shows on his site are full of heart-felt emotion for nature and landscapes.  I feel as if we share similar emotions when viewing beautiful scenery.  And his images are of a caliber, which makes many which I take and have viewed seem quite mediocre.  I would interpret a certain fear of loss and potential sorrow, considering current developments on our planet – possibly similar to those mentioned by astronauts who were gifted to view earth from afar.

I’m not going to dissect his sentences and weigh each word.  I’ve read his statements and have found them very well fitting his photos; I sympathize with them and found them descriptive of his work.

But then, I'm just interpreting his work and his statements.  Rafael himself could explain his views in more detail.  Chances are, I'm totally wrong.

[Isaac]

But then, you enjoy the art of the wind-up!

You don't know me.

We all know that saying "you enjoy the art of the wind-up" is a wind-up.

[Isaac]

I feel as if we share similar emotions when viewing beautiful scenery.

Well, if we respond to beautiful scenery at-all, we likely do respond with similar commonplace emotions; but I don't see that as the level of personal revelation suggested by his statement.

[amolitor]

I get something dreamlike out of the photos in the piece. Are they a "window into the soul" or just vaguely dreamlike? I dunno. i don't even know what the difference would be.

There's definitely something of specific aesthetic, though, which is more than I can say for a lot of the content I see on the front page here. Not to say that the front page content is awful, but there is a strong emphasis on technically excellent pictures with no particular personal aesthetic, to my eye.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

You don't know me...

But we surely know your forum persona.

[Isaac]

But we surely know your forum persona.

Apparently not.

I'm sure there are folk here who see that as the problem.

Apparently there are folk more interested in finding problems with other forum users, than finding their way in photography.


Kudos to amolitor!

[LesPalenik]

Dreamlike photos are OK, after all we have all dreams. I'd like to see more of them.
Here is one I dreamt up one last week.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Dreamlike photos are OK, after all we have all dreams. I'd like to see more of them.
Here is one I dreamt up one last week.

Love it, Les!  Now that's what I call "Street" photography.   

[Rob C]

You don't know me.

We all know that saying "you enjoy the art of the wind-up" is a wind-up.

Listening to this and thought of your line, above. Just in case of misunderstandings: the lyrics have no connection with my thinking of you, just the title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRULqLhxKBU

Nah, not a wind-up...

;-)

Rob C

[LesPalenik]

Love it, Les!  Now that's what I call "Street" photography.   

Thanks, Eric.
You gave me a new idea, maybe I should have posted it into that section.