Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/05

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Subject: Re: [Leica] PRE-visualization
From: Rob McElroy <idag@pce.net>
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 08:41:08 -0500
References: < <45EDA71CFF25D411A2E400508B6FC52A75577B@orportexch1.internal.nextlink.net> <200012050435.UAA05392@spoon.alink.net>

Jim Brick wrote:

> Can someone explain the term PRE-visualization? Is this visualization
> before visualization? Or is it just simply "visualization?"
>
> If you visualize something, you are doing it before the act. If you
> pre-visualize something, you are visualizing it before you visualize it
> before the act.

To visualize is defined as:  1) to recall or form mental images or pictures;  2) to make visible;  3) to see or form a mental image of.  These
definitions all relate to the past or the present and do not refer to "doing it before the act" as Jim has suggested.  There are no references in the
definition of visualize that refer to forming mental images of things that haven't occurred yet, although they aren't precluded.

To pre-visualize, as it has been used in photographic discussions, refers to the future.  Or in other words, to images that haven't occurred or been
"taken" yet.  It involves using your imagination to visualize what the finished image will look like, BEFORE you press down on the shutter release.
Hence the word, pre-visualize.  It not only refers to what things you can plan/predict on doing in the darkroom AFTER the image has been taken, but
also what things you can do to predict, prepare for, and possibly alter about the photograph, BEFORE it actual occurs.

This act of pre-visualization should cause you to change something about how you make the photograph you are preparing to take.  It may cause you to
put a red filter over your lens, as suggested previously; move your vantage point so as to include or exclude objects in your field of view; modify
your developing times to effectively make the film and paper "see" as you did; wait for clouds to move in or out of your picture to create the perfect
balance of visual elements; cause you to climb a ladder or get down on your knees in order to juxtapose the American flag in the background of the
government official who will walk across the stage momentarily; etc., etc.

Just my opinion and how I have always understood the term to be used.

Regards,
Rob McElroy
Buffalo, NY

Replies: Reply from khmiska <khmiska@umich.edu> (Re: [Leica] PRE-visualization)
In reply to: Message from "Rodgers, David" <david.rodgers@xo.com> (RE: [Leica] Ansel Adams/John Wimberley WAS Mapplethorpe, high qua ilty porn)
Message from Jim Brick <jim@brick.org> ([Leica] PRE-visualization)