Reflection of The Mind’s of Eye
I love how the author started the book by stating “Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not a major concern.” It draws me into thinking why it is so. Different people may have different interpretation about this, but here is mine. Yes, technology will keep improving, making the general quality of a photo better or improving the ease of taking a photo. However, photography is always about capturing the moment and delivery a message for the audience, which will most probably stay the same.
The author make sure that he came across clear that he is not attacking “manufactured” or staged photography. However, he want to illustrate his preference or purpose of taking photography. As what he stated:
For me the camera is a sketchbook, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to “give a meaning” to the world, one has to feel oneself involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, a discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry-it is by great economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression. One must always take photographs with the greatest respect for the subject and for oneself.
I love this point of view as I feel it as well. It is just interesting for me that how things still looks different at different timing or situation. Sometime, it might be due to the change of weather or just simply the change of object that we are capturing. However, sometimes, our emotion or what is happening at a everyday seen place will impact us as well. Hence, the photo we are taking will come off different as well. I believe it is definitely important to get involved into the world and use the photo to express or capture that instant of life.
Lastly, I would love to talk about the impact the book have brought for me. I love how the author talked about his story of traveling and taking photos to prove his point. In the past, when I take a photo, I tends to think how it will come off to be more pretty or more natural. However, thinking about it, the reason why I took out my camera in the first place, there must have been something that prompted me or impacted my feeling. I should also try to involve myself and express my feeling. I believe by capturing that instant of my life, it is not only important for me, someone else might have feel the same way about their life as well, hence that photo will give them a different feeling as well.