What Moves You Vs. The Viewer: The Throw Away Pics.
There are times when I put much effort into the planning and/or execution of a pic that speaks to me. Then when I post it the response is…
meh.
There are also times when you take a hip shot or otherwise snap a low-thought, low-effort, often muscle memory-driven pic that you forget about almost immediately. If you post it, you forget about it and move on with your life. Then, later on, you see the response.
Engagement, reactions, and comments.
This has taught me something.
- Share pics and see what happens rather than trying to predict what will happen.
Also, my attachment may have more to do with my experiences before, during, or after that image is captured. It may have to do with the relationship I have with the subject that no one viewing the image could know about. Some many possible variables that may not come through the picture.
I say this because it happened again recently. I took a photo while testing a lens on film. Second to last frame on the roll. Saw a couple standing on a footbridge, set the lens to f/4, adjusted to infinity to f/4, pivoted, and shot from the hip.
Was glad to see it came out when I developed the film. Posted it to the regular places, Flickr and Lomography with the rest of the roll. Went back to Lomography a day or so later and it had accumulated many more likes than I expected. Most trending pic. Ok.
Glad I took it.
Glad others appreciated it.
As the old saying goes, “That and a nickel will buy you a donut.”, but it brings a smile to my face just the same.
Along the same lines, I am part of an exhibition starting this Friday.
The day before a concert I have a lead song in.
Quite the week. Will feature two of my photos.
Had to set a price for them. That is a first. My first exhibition was precisely that. Pics shown to be shown and perhaps inspire a bit of dialogue. I called on some friends for advice and spoke with the curator and a price was set.
Will they sell?
Who know.
Either way. I am good. Brings a smile to my face. No price can be put on that.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 