Sometimes reality is not an effective medium by which to view the world. In such instances the human eye often looks beyond what is seen in order to reveal what is hidden in plain view, behind the known and mundane aspects that the world has to offer. In those moments it becomes obvious that no matter how mundane a thing is, no matter how commonplace it might seem, there is always something to be seen in the breaths between one click of the camera to the next. There is beauty throughout all aspects of the world, all one needs is the right lens through which to view it.
Such moments occur often, but the matter of finding them is the trick. Standing with camera in hand at the right place in the right exact second is a fascinating trick that many people have discovered in their love for photography. Even the most mundane parts of the world can hold their own beauty when discovered in a different setting, a new light, or a simple change of attitude. There is little than can hide from a camera lens, as it is often blunt and to the point when presenting its point of view. Unlike the human eye it distinguishes what is in front of it without bias and without any emotion other than that which is evoked by the image it captures.
Even the most lackluster setting, object, or person, can be discovered to be a rare,
metaphorical gemstone in the rough with the right lens. For those such as National Geographic
photographer Rena Effendi, the ordinary presents the opportunity to find something that is
anything but in the simple act of looking beyond what is already seen (Bennett, 2016). Effendi
learned early on in her career that simply taking pictures of the ordinary world around her wasn’t enough. She needed to first immerse herself in the setting she was attempting to capture, and by extension come to better understand what was truly special about it before she could discover why she should even bother unloading her camera.
The strength and determination of humanity within a world that is constantly changing is a stunning and often overlooked tableau of experience and variety that far too many take for granted. Even in the places among the world that harbor no discernible beauty there are moments and places in which the lens of a camera can see what human eyes do not. The act of taking the lighting, the scenery, and the inherent action of a place to create a visually engaging piece of artwork that is entirely natural and inescapably unique is a true talent which very few possess. In an effort to showcase the world in the manner it truly deserves at times it is important for a photographer to better understand their subject area, and the many components that go into the making of it, to get a better idea of what might really lie beyond their own vision.
Many photographers that experience this type of feeling for their chosen environments and those who inhabit them, if there are any, come to realize a different set of emotions than many who see such places as common. They forget what is normal, what is considered run of the mill, and they look beyond what is seen by the common eye. In a sense, and by Effendi’s own admission, they become “superhuman being that doesn’t need anything.” (Bennett, 2016). There are many who believe as Effendi does and go into great detail concerning the inherent spirituality and recognition of a world beyond themselves that requires every last bit of concentration, attention, and respect that can be given. In some regards some photographers will go so far as to claim that the world they see through the lens is the real world, and that which they are a part of is the illusion, hidden away by the mundane.
The world in which the average person lives is a study in the average and expected more often than not, and offers little in the way of any real beauty that is not run of the mill by comparison. Sometimes those who seek the beauty that exists within the world must step beyond what they know, do something that is beyond their scope, and thus discover that beauty for themselves. Those who are able to do this can often find pieces of the world that are still truly indescribable to any but those who are entirely open to the possibility that something truly beautiful still exists within the world. In escaping the ordinary the individual discovers that through the lens of a camera the world is anything but ordinary.
While interpretation is always in the control of those who view and disseminate what they see, the tale of those who go the distance to find such beauty within the wider world is often far grander than the work they produce. In seeing the unvarnished scenes they depict as they are, and as they happen, such individuals become far more aware of how precious each captured moment becomes. This is, in a large part, the story that is depicted in the movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Mitty, played by Ben Stiller, is an employee at Time magazine who works primarily with negatives and the cover layout, and is by nature a daydreamer and an almost outdated character within the workplace.
When his and his co-workers jobs are threatened however thanks to a missing negative by
a prominent photographer, Mitty goes on an expedition that spans the globe in an attempt to
reach the photographer (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, 2013). Along the way Walter is subjected to a number of different scenes, oddities, and challenges that lead him to the photographer in question, played by Sean Penn. Throughout this movie it is seen how Mitty begins to perceive the world in a much different manner according not only to his personal view but by the pictures that the photographer has sent him throughout the years. Scenes that once
appeared little more than interesting cover pieces and flash to add to the magazine become experiences that are unique and quite amazing in their own right as Mitty lives through each one of them.
The inherent lesson within the movie is that the world is far more than just the pictures that are taken of it, that the moments captured are but milliseconds out of a natural wonder that continues to exist once the lens has moved on. That one moment of beauty, that one perfect instant, is what many photographers live for, and what many find the most elusive. Real beauty, that which is ever on the move and doesn’t wait to be captured, never asks for the attention that others seek to lavish upon it, and in this retains its mystique and natural charm. The lens that captures even the barest hint of such moments is the one that sees more than the human eye can ever hope to imagine.
In the case of Walter Mitty, the world being framed by set dimensions and known parameters is what beauty is often reduced to, snippets and pieces of an experience that is lessened by the caging of the moment. Through this method mankind too often attempts to capture the spirit of the world around them, thereby missing the reality of what is there and waiting to be discovered, not trapped. Photography offers a window into that unknown world, a glimpse at something that may or may not be in the same place when the next person with a camera goes searching. The art of photography is without any real limit insofar that it does not discriminate between what is worthy of being viewed and what is not. As grand as some scenes can appear, they can still pale in comparison to the experience that goes with them.
In essence the art of photography is highly subjective, but overall is a series of moments
that the operator of the camera thinks is deserving of attention. Whether that scene is grandiose
or simple is not important. The real beauty that is framed by the lens is that which is perceived,
not necessarily seen. The search for beauty is the beginning, but the finding is just the transition.
Such a feeling is experienced by other notable films such as Pecker and The Bridges of Madison County, in which the eye of the beholder can greatly differ from one person to another. While Pecker deals more with the unseen reality that is hidden by the artist’s often strange and unyielding ability to capture the real world at its strangest (Pecker, 1998), The Bridges of Madison County is set within the realm of reality and consequence. Not only does Bridges have a definite love story surrounding it, the film portrays how real beauty is found even within the least likely places, and how it begins to draw the artist towards their calling no matter the desire to act upon their impulses (The Bridges of Madison County, 1995). Much like Mitty, the artist within Bridges comes to the realization that the passion he truly seeks is something that cannot be easily defined, but can at least be documented through photography.
There are dark sides to everything however, and photography is no different. For all the genuine beauty in the world there is always that which is still described as wondrous but in a dark, horrid manner that appeals to only a few. This faint example is personified in the film, The Midnight Meat Train, in which Bradley Cooper plays photographer Leon, a man who is obsessed with the intricacies of the city in which he lives and its deepest, darkest secrets (The Midnight Meat Train, 2008). Though the film is a great deal of gore and plays more shock the audience than to prove a point, a faint message underlies the streaks of crimson that denotes the true obsession of photography, and just how far many will go to pursue the craft. Leon exemplifies the depths to which a person will go to continue their art, and in doing so lose themselves within those worlds that exist beneath the one that is seen so often.
It is an obsession that drives many photographers just as it is with any artist, the desire to
find anything that might be hidden within the depths of the human experience, and within the
world that is seen. Some might call it a sickness, while others would refer to it as a calling, a destiny of sorts that seeks to mold the affected individual and reveal truths in due time that will not only alter the way they see the world, but how they react to it as well. While some are called instinctively to the art, there are many who must be guided into the discipline and shown the difference between what they consider to be worthy of capturing versus what is truly breathtaking (Barnbaum, 2010). While photography is entirely subjective, it is still an art, and deserves the respect of those who choose to practice its finer points (Orwig, 2015).
Like any art, photography requires practice, the proper equipment, and the desire. While two out of three of these requirements might be toyed around with, the desire is perhaps the most important to recall at all times. In the world of art, no matter the medium, if there is no desire there is no inherent point to the undertaking of the form. With photography if there is no real desire to find something behind where the lens is pointed then one might as well be taking pictures for a mall catalogue, creating stock pictures to be copied thousands of times without any real meaning. Though it might sound elitist, the art of photography demands a great deal and cannot be ignored by those who do not take it seriously.
The act of taking on the art of photography as a passion is something akin to falling into
an ocean of wonders in which the artist finds beauty inherent within everything that falls within
their sight. Be it dark, horrific, or touched by the light and almost angelic, the beauty of
photography is that the lens depicts only what is there, while the human eye is allowed to pick
out the intricacies that are to be found (Tharp & Manwaring, 2012). It is a game of hide and seek of sorts with the human eye being the discerning seeker that attempts to find the hidden images and meanings behind the play of light and shadow, the differences in color, and the subtle movements of the subjects being captured. Within the realm of the photograph there is almost
always something to be seen, but the lens acts only as the storyteller, giving the basis for meaning but never revealing it.
Throughout the world there exists a harmony, however discordant it might be at times, and through the lens of a camera it is possible to observe and even witness the spare moment in time when that happening occurs. The best way to describe the sheer enjoyment that photographers and even budding students of the art receive from their art is to simply state that they are free to follow passion. They are able to tune out the world around them in favor the moments they seek, to push away all that is non-essential to capture that one fleeting second that it takes for their chosen tool to click. There is no other way to fully explain the allure of photography other than to state that it is a window into a world that is otherwise ignored for the sake of expedience.
Too many people in the world today are at the mercy of a clock, a deadline, or some other master that demands them to look away from the wonder of the world and focus only on their own little pinpoint of existence. The life of a photographer is spent finding those elusive and life-changing moments. The chase is only the beginning for any photographer that truly seeks out their passion, the vehicle so to speak for the reward that may or may not come after hours, days, even weeks or months spent trying to find that one perfect picture. A photographer can go a lifetime without finding the picture that will define their passion, but many will at the very least define the passion for their art not by the pictures they take, but by the experiences gained.
The landscapes, the sounds, the sights, the very textures and play of light upon the
scenery all factor into the perfect picture. There is little if anything that does not bear
consideration by the artist, and even less that is not believed to be relevant in the creation of a
moment. To fully describe the path of an artist is not an easy task as the number of intangibles
that exist in the creation of a work of art, or even a simple snapshot, are at times indescribable. Sometime the picture simply comes from the spur of the moment, while at other times it is the product and culmination of a very long protracted wait that could span weeks or longer.
That it is a skill is without any doubt. That it exists as its own art form is a given. There are those who seek to criticize not only photography as an art form, but also the product that results from said art form. Some would claim that there is no inherent beauty within the picture that the lens captures, that it is a mere coincidence that the light, shadows, and the landscape all blended together for that perfect moment. While opinions are varied and widely accepted, criticism concerning photography and the pictures that are produced are a rather touchy subject.
What means a great deal to one person might mean nothing to another, just as in any art form. But in photography, the interplay of light, shadow, and the various colors and textures that are captured often carry more than one meaning, just as in a masterful painting (Peterson, 2015). One stroke, one shaft of light, one dark smudge, one seemingly innocuous shadow, all of it can carry meaning, and at the same time all of it can mean absolutely nothing. This is one of the alluring aspects of photography, that it can mean something and nothing all at once. The lens only captures what it is pointed at, meaning must come from the eye behind the instrument.
What is depicted of photography in Hollywood is typically edgy, disconnected in a way
not entirely true nor false, but more of a sensationalist depiction that strives to show the truth
behind how the art can take over the life of the artist. From the grandiose to the horrid, from
smash hit films to documentaries displaying the best and worst of humanity, all art is life
imitating art imitating life, a cycle that continues on and one throughout the efforts of those who
take it upon themselves to document the world in its many different forms and aspects. In reality
there is no true imitation on the part of life or art, there is simply the world as it exists behind the lens of a camera, and interpretation that is placed upon the scene given.
Photography to many people is simply a hobby, the art of taking pictures and learning how to deal with shadows, light, and settings. Many upon many people would likely look at a camera and seek to find the “on” button before stating that they know how to operate it. Such a utilitarian method is adequate and serves its purpose well, but it is not the appeal that draws those who give their lives over to the art. As with anything that becomes a passion, photography becomes a passion when the photographer allows the world to fade away in favor of that much-sought after image. When the lens of a camera is the manner by which the artist views the world, then it is safe to say that one is truly passionate about what they do.
Whether dark or light in nature, the image that is seen through the lens is truthful, even if it is a lie. What such vague double meanings indicate is that photography is not so much about showing what is right or wrong, or what is white and what is black. Instead photography is about what sits in front of the lens, and how willing the photographer is to wait in order to get their shot. Artists are well known for going weeks to months at a time without the proper stroke of inspiration, though the greatest tend to find moments and scenes with which to ply their passion without need for waiting.
These individuals that see beauty in all corners of the frame are those who tend to think
on both sides of the lens. They see both the stark reality of the image and what might lie behind
it, and in doing so they come to know the truth about what they are seeing. There is no part of
the world that is not touched in some way by a beauty that is either elusive or blatant, and it takes
a discerning eye to take note of this fact. Whether horrific or grandiose, beauty is everywhere,
and it is always moving, never waiting for the perfect moment. The average pair of eyes does
not always perceive this, but instead sees what they believe is real within life and within the borders of an image, thereby negating the challenge that is life.
A photographer is always seeking out new life, new moments, and new hints of beauty that might lie within the most hidden corners of the world. They wait only for the moment until it is time to capture the picture or move on, and as a result they are often gifted with a vision so intense that the average viewer might well find themselves shocked into one emotion or another. In this manner photographers who work with such rigorous passion manage to highlight the world outside of commonplace existence. They show a world that is still filled with wonders, still composed of beauty unparalleled, and still worth experiencing.
Photographers also depict scenes so horrific that it boggles the mind how any person could commit such acts against another. In such images the beauty is not readily seen, but the need of the photographer to show the world as it is, not as others would have it, is an inspiration that can create even more appeal for such an art form (Roth Jr., 2013). Within the scope of any artist is the capacity for great beauty and unrelenting horror, and in the midst of all of it lays a beauty so elusive that to even speak of it is to lose the focus required to find it. True beauty is seen through the lens of a camera, but is perceived by the eye that looks upon the images.
The appeal of photography is, simply put, what rests in front of the lens and how the
individual behind it goes about capturing said image. Very often the borders of the image do not
do justice to the beauty that has been catalogued. Thankfully the feeling behind the images
gained are very often felt in some part by those who have the good fortune to see such pictures
and marvel at what they show. Throughout Hollywood and upon uncounted venues across the
world photography is a search for the perfect image, the one picture that will define a generation
and thereby change the world. When it is found, such images are rarely forgotten.
Works Cited
Barnbaum, Bruce. The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression. Santa Barbara,
CA: Rocky Nook. 2010. Print.
Bennett, Rebecca. “Finding Beauty and Connection Through Photography.” Picture Correct.
2016. Web. 7 Jan. 2016.
Orwig, Chris. The Creative Fight: Create Your Best Work and Live the Life You Imagine.
Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press. 2015. Print.
Pecker. Dir. John Waters. Perf. Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Bess Armstrong, and Lili
Taylor. Polar Entertainment, 1998. Film.
Peterson, Bryan. Learning to See Creatively, Third Edition: Design, Color, and Composition in
Photography. Danvers, MA: Amphoto Books. 2015. Print.
Roth Jr., Thomas. The Dark Side of Photography. Chester, NC: Missing Toe Publishing. 2013.
Print.
Tharp, Brenda & Manwaring, Jed. Extraordinary Everyday Photography: Awaken Your Vision
The Bridges of Madison County. Dir. Clint Eastwood. Perf. Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie
Corley, and Victor Slezak. Amblin Entertainment, 1995. Film.
The Midnight Meat Train. Dir. Riyhei Kitamura. Perf. Vinnie Jones, Bradley Cooper, Leslie
Bibb, and Brooke Shields. Lakeshore Entertainment, 2008. Film.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Dir. Ben Stiller. Perf. Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, John Daly, and
Sean Penn. Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2013. Film.
Annotated Bibliography
Barnbaum, Bruce. The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression. Santa Barbara,
CA: Rocky Nook. 2010. Print.
A revision of classic, this book is among the easiest to read regarding photography and is more comprehensive than most in regards to the art. Barnbaum is completely forthcoming with providing how-to methods that showcase techniques used to meld traditional and digital styles. Added onto this is the helpful and insightful manner in which he delves into the philosophy and creative manner of photography, enabling every would be photographer and professional to learn all they can and apply that knowledge to their craft. Completely reader friendly, this book is a definite must for anyone that has the idea of becoming a photographer, whether by hobby or by trade.
Bennett, Rebecca. “Finding Beauty and Connection Through Photography.” Picture Correct.
2016. Web. 7 Jan. 2016.
Utilizing the work and passion of fellow artist and National Geographic photographer Rena Effendi, Bennett showcases the passion that photographers have for their trade and how it is best applied to the surroundings in which they continually find themselves. From Effendi it is learned that the perfect shot is not always at a moment’s notice or even an easy moment to wait for. The art of photography takes time, patience, and a feeling for the environment in which the moment is to happen, a kinship with the landscape that exists before the lens can truly be used to capture the intended image. This site emphasizes that patience and rapport are vital to the life of a photographer.
Orwig, Chris. The Creative Fight: Create Your Best Work and Live the Life You Imagine.
Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press. 2015. Print.
Within the pages of this book it is described that creativity is not the sole province of the few, but exists as an ever-changing process that allows for growth, and can be attained by any who manage to put in the effort it takes to pursue such a career. Orwig gives his own perspective in this book in order to showcase the creative process and how to discover meaning within any piece of work and create inspiration through the discovery of a life that waits to be utilized. Through use of photography Orwig seeks to show people just how creative they can be through the use of photography, and how it can provide a more meaningful existence to those seeking something else in their lives.
Pecker. Dir. John Waters. Perf. Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Bess Armstrong, and Lili
Taylor. Polar Entertainment, 1998. Film.
Pecker is the story of a young man who develops the hobby of taking pictures of his family, his town, and random things in and around the city of Baltimore, MD. When a noted art dealer decides to buy one of his “modern pictures” he becomes an overnight sensation. When the pictures are shown in a New York art gallery however the truth of his photographs comes out and those involved cut all ties with him. In an effort to earn back his respect Pecker must make the most important people in his life see the beauty in what he’s captured. This film provides a rather important perspective on the idea of what beauty is and where it truly lies.
Peterson, Bryan. Learning to See Creatively, Third Edition: Design, Color, and Composition in Photography. Danvers, MA: Amphoto Books. 2015. Print.
While this book is a revision with all new photos and revised guidelines, it is still a very creative and radical approach that explains how the ability to excel in photography is a definitive skill that is fully available to most if not all people. Through use of his own photos and philosophy the author takes great care on how to guide and instruct all who are interested in deconstructing the creative process so as to break down the art into something more manageable for beginners and to point out several key components to others. His help extends from basic techniques to the technical errors and other pitfalls that can often lead to photographs that fall short of the mark for many who are seeking that elusive spark of creativity. This book is quite helpful in not only the guidance through the art of photography, but the technical aspects of it as well.
Roth Jr., Thomas. The Dark Side of Photography. Chester, NC: Missing Toe Publishing.
2013. Print.
This book is designed to outline and highlight the more negative and oftentimes debilitating emotions that can go along with the art of photography and its many pitfalls. Such emotions are referred to by the author as “The Dark Side” in that they take the artist to a very secluded and negative space within their own mind and emotions that is often hard to come back from. Within the book however the author details how to not only come back from said emotions, but also to keep them from recurring, thereby keeping the appeal and the love of photography alive. Overall this book is quite valuable for the aspiring photographer as well as the seasoned professional, as it allows for differing levels of involvement and can help to keep focus when times get hard for those who have a strong passion for photography.
Tharp, Brenda & Manwaring, Jed. Extraordinary Everyday Photography: Awaken Your
Vision to Create Stunning Images Wherever You Are. Danvers, MA: Amphoto Books. 2012. Print.
The best photographer is a traveler. In this book the authors describe that in order to get
the right image, the right picture, and the right moment, photographers will go most anywhere to obtain what they need. In the next breath however they go on to state that while many photographers will go to such lengths, the truth behind the matter is that such a lengthy and often expensive trip to exotic locales is not entirely necessary. Interesting photographs can come from virtually anywhere as the authors contend, and can even be just below the surface of a seemingly ordinary, mundane setting. The use for this book is obvious in that it allows the reader, and the photographer, to realize what is just at their fingertips.
The Bridges of Madison County. Dir. Clint Eastwood. Perf. Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie
Corley, and Victor Slezak. Amblin Entertainment, 1995. Film.
Though not primarily about photography, this movie showcases how the life of a photographer is made up of sacrifice and uncertainty that can lead to the most interesting of events and experiences. Set in Iowa in the 1990’s and then the 1960’s, the film encompasses the life of a photographer who has come to Madison County to create a photographic essay on the historical bridges within the county. When he meets and becomes enamored of the woman he meets while on assignment, it is discovered only later the truth of their relationship and what they came to mean to one another. As the photographer moves on towards his true path in life the woman never forgets him and as a result is changed by the experience. In summation this movie is a good example of what it means to be in the moment, not just a part of it.
The Midnight Meat Train. Dir. Riyhei Kitamura. Perf. Vinnie Jones, Bradley Cooper,
Leslie Bibb, and Brooke Shields. Lakeshore Entertainment, 2008. Film.
A dark and foreboding tale of murder and mystery, this film is set in New York City in the modern era and focuses primarily around the life of a photographer looking to make a name for himself. This photographer is at wits end when he happens to take note of a series of unsolved disappearances in the subway during odd hours of the night. When he delves deeper he finds the truth behind the mystery, and the horror which begins to unravel starts him down a road that, through photography and a sick, perverse fascination of what transpires, becomes his obsession. Though more of a horror movie than a true movie based upon photography, this film shows not only the struggle that so many photographers undergo but the manner in which their obsession can take them down dark and winding pathways that reflect beauty in much different ways than are traditionally recognized.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Dir. Ben Stiller. Perf. Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, John
Daly, and Sean Penn. Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2013. Film.
Based in the modern age, when several older, less relied upon methods of photography are becoming a thing of the past, this movie paints a slow and methodical picture of a man who is in danger of becoming a relic of that bygone era. Walter Mitty is a man who has experienced a great deal through the images that others have given him to work with, but never has he stepped outside of the frame to experience such things for himself. When a prominent field photographer sends his last and most important piece of work and the negative goes missing, it becomes Walter’s quest to find the missing negative, and in return he discovers something about
himself, and the artist, that he never fully understood. From the viewpoint of a photographer this
movie is helpful in that it allows others to realize just what is involved in the art, and that it is far
more than just pushing a button.
