I like easy pictures.

[Guest]

A few nights ago, in a pub, we were discussing photography. The protagonist told me that the purpose of photography was to make us look at the world in a new way, he told me that he had an eye for interesting compositions. What he didn't tell me was where I could see those images.

We've all met those bar room photographers, they help pass the time. And sure I'd love to take that photograph that questions the reason for our being, defines societies view of gender, and reconciles liberalism with the social society. But in the meantime I'll take pictures that seem to me to be pleasing, competent, and just maybe, pleasant.

Of course they are easy, that's why sites such as Flickr and Geograph are littered with such great images of the commonplace.





Lydiard Millicent - All Saints.

Mind you I'm a slow learner, so even competence with the commonplace is a high ambition.

Nick

[Grumpy Hec]

Re: I like easy pictures.

Well said sir

I like the interior. Another subject matter I have on my list of things to try and do justice to.

cheers

Hec

[Zuiko]

Re: I like easy pictures.

Mind you I'm a slow learner, so even competence with the commonplace is a high ambition.

Nick

False modesty there, Nick. You take commonplace to a whole new level!


Seriously, you make a great point. Photography is not just about making a statement, pushing the boundaries or challenging the viewer; it's also very much about enjoyment and appreciation of the everyday things around us. A pleasing picture doesn't need to go any deeper than that; if it pleases the eye then it has done what it was intended to do.

Your church shots always please the eye and these are no exception, but are they commonplace? I don't think so; the interiors in particular require a deceptive level of skill to excecute as competently as you do.

[Wee man]

Re: I like easy pictures.

Here Here to the above comment. Commonplace I do not know, easy never!

[Guest]

Re: I like easy pictures.

Love #2 - great pic.

[Greytop]

Re: I like easy pictures.

False modesty there, Nick. You take commonplace to a whole new level!


Seriously, you make a great point. Photography is not just about making a statement, pushing the boundaries or challenging the viewer; it's also very much about enjoyment and appreciation of the everyday things around us. A pleasing picture doesn't need to go any deeper than that; if it pleases the eye then it has done what it was intended to do.

Your church shots always please the eye and these are no exception, but are they commonplace? I don't think so; the interiors in particular require a deceptive level of skill to excecute as competently as you do.

You have a great way with words John
I couldn't have put it better, I always enjoy studying Nick's photos and without doubt appreciate the skill required to achieve results he does, the interior shot of these two in particular is very impressive.

Excellent work again Nick

[hruissen]

Re: I like easy pictures.

I also do like easy pictures but when I looked up the second picture in the gallery I saw that it has been composed of 10 different exposure levels in 10 different pictures. For me that is not very easy although it is a very nice picture.

[maccabeej]

Re: I like easy pictures.

As usual Nick you challenge us with the deceptively simple. The more you pare things down the more complex they become. Easy making pictures it never is, but you can justify poor photography, painting, writing etc. by talking b*****ks especially about social meaning. When it is done by the likes of Sebastiao Salgado etc it can challenge your perceptions of the world, but there are few like him.
Jim

[Guest]

Re: I like easy pictures.

Thanks all.

I actually don't believe that either shot was 'easy' from the point of view of taking them. Both require decisions on framing/composition etc, and there are lots of photographs out there on the web (particularly of church interiors/exteriors) where those decisions have obviously not been well made.

But both should be 'easy' on the eye and mind, should convey a sense of rightness. No Oohs and Ahhs, but hopefully a Yes, that's right. that's what that church looks like.

Maybe I'm just defending against an irritation that all pictures should be meaningful.

Nick

[Guest]

Re: I like easy pictures.

Both extremely competent, Nick but as photo subjects I don't much like churches - even the most picturesque give me the creeps.

Maybe just my guilty conscience ...

[benvendetta]

Re: I like easy pictures.

I most admit I would prefer my photography to make a statement (of sorts) rather than be easy, but there is room for all of us here.

I tend not to bother with 'easy' images as I have no real outlet for them. My 'statements' are used for my club photography.

[Guest]

Re: I like easy pictures.

I most admit I would prefer my photography to make a statement (of sorts) rather than be easy, but there is room for all of us here.

I tend not to bother with 'easy' images as I have no real outlet for them. My 'statements' are used for my club photography.

I would tend to argue that the second image is a statement about light and how it's management has been used by religion throughout the years (chancel = priest/nobility included, nave = commoner excluded/observer, social organisation of europe since the middle ages, growth of non-conformity as a result). But it's also a pleasing image, hopefully, in its own right.

At the end of the day the 'meaning' we read into images is a reflection of our intent as a viewer, education and the accepted mores of the micro-culture in which we operate.

But, arguments aside, I still reckon there's a place for nice pictures, however creepy Pandora (thanks) finds them.

Nick

[gregles]

Re: I like easy pictures.

If religion and the design of churches is at its essence class structured and perhaps aspirational then I will stay on the dark side.

Great control of lighting in the interior shot which makes the shot not only easy on the eye but also deeply meaningful.

Greg

[OlyPaul]

Re: I like easy pictures.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in promoting /defending the type of photography you do, but for me it is a moot point.

The large divergence within our hobby from record, pictorial, documentary. photo journalism to abstract and the bizarre and all the blurred edges in between is what I love and there is room for everybody.

It is this large divergence that I love and that has kept me satisfied with this hobby for many years as I flit from one type to another.

As I always say, in photography I am a jack of all trades and master of none and I love it that way.

[Floribunda]

Re: I like easy pictures.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in promoting /defending the type of photography you do, but for me it is a moot point.

The large divergence within our hobby from record, pictorial, documentary. photo journalism to abstract and the bizarre and all the blurred edges in between is what I love and there is room for everybody.

It is this large divergence that I love and that has kept me satisfied with this hobby for many years as I flit form one type to another.

As I always say, in photography I am a jack of all trades and master of none and I love it that way.

Well said Paul, I'm with you.