[Leica] Alternate Whispering

[datamaster at northcoastphotos.com (Gary Todoroff)]

Oh boy, a chance to debate with both Ted and B.D. at the same time! Although
a great photo can indeed stand on its own, words along with a photo can
provide a synergy that goes well beyond either.

For me, the work of writing a good caption is usually more effort than the
photograph, and I would love to agree with you both, just for the sake of
eliminating all that work! However, communication is a commitment and
obligation in which the extra effort of writing can often make a difference.

I will agree that it is important to let a photograph "speak" to you first.
I have to remind myself to *look* at a photograph in order to *hear* the
photograph, an oxymoron that becomes understandable with the lingering
effort.

However, depth of understanding can come with words that take you even
further into the world of a photo. Tina's photograph, I think, is good
example of that combination at work. Gents and lady - what a great time we
could have on an evening over these ideas!

In any case, the viewer can always choose to not read a caption. And
"Alternate Whispering" makes for a perfect title for the direction of this
thread within a thread!

Best,
Gary Todoroff
Tree LUGger/Lympa Logger - http://www.northcoastphotos.com/Lympa.htm

> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+datamaster=northcoastphotos.com@leica-users.org
> [mailto:lug-bounces+datamaster=northcoastphotos.com@leica-users.org]On
> Behalf Of Ted Grant
> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 4:53 PM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Alternate Whispering
>
>
> B. D. Colen offered:
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Alternate Whispering
>
>
> > Definitely the original, Tina- But this is a classic example of why
> > photographers shouldn't put captions on photos, except where required in
> > newspapers and magazines. Again, I don't see whispering; I don't see
> > religion; I don't see call to prayer- I see father and child. Yes, in a
> > photo story this image may say every one of those things - but you're
> > showing an individual image. Just put it up, and let it tell it's own
> > story.<<
>
> Hi B. D.,
> I'm with you when it comes to putting words to a photograph because quite
> often the words don't do a thing and I've seen news-photos in our
> National
> Newspaper photographer awards judging lose because we the judges have
> said... "What the heck does that have to do with what the picture is?"
>
> Photography is visual and when it comes to individual photographs
> most times
> words are meaningless. I've always said, particularly when judging... "I
> don't want to hear nor read what the picture is, I just want to make my
> decision on what I look at, not words that are supposed to make a
> difference
> to the decision.
>
> A photograph stands on it's own or it doesn't, look, enjoy or not, make
> decision, then find out what it's about. Yes sometimes knowing what the
> photograph is illustrating makes a difference. Sometimes before
> the judges
> give a  final marking often we ask for "word details" because
> sometimes it
> does make a major difference.
>
> But in the case of Tina's photograph it gave off such a wealth of
> emotion it
> truly needed to stand without words. Quite an interesting
> photograph to say
> the least.
>
> ted
>
>
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