Thoughts on Photography | #2 – Banalities (1)
I recently decided that I would like to start another very short column in addition to the book reviews – and I’m calling it ‘Thoughts on Photography’. Here, I will share a few personal thoughts on photographic topics from time to time – with as little text as possible (max. 3 minutes reading time) and few example images – perhaps just one. There will be no logical or strictly sequential order to the topics. But perhaps some inspiring or even controversial thoughts over the time… we will see. Feel free to share your thoughts with me…
#2 – Banalities (1)
Can’t find a subject? Not sure what to photograph? Lacking inspiration?
How about banalities? Hey, William Eggleston built his entire career on photographing banal things. If he can do it, so can we. 😉
No, seriously. First of all, we should perhaps clarify what banal actually means. Is our life itself banal? Hopefully not! So photographing it can’t be banal either! Yes, it’s the everyday things, the (supposedly) obvious things that we photograph. But that doesn’t matter, because it’s our lives we’re documenting. And secondly, we should be careful with the term ‘obvious’. The obvious isn’t always so obvious if we don’t walk through the world with our eyes wide open. But that’s another topic altogether.
Let’s get back to banalities in photography. Is a photo of a poor meal in a fast food restaurant banal? Yes! But who cares? It’s your photo of something you saw, which reminds you of something, which can trigger a response in you, etc. And it can convey the same thing to others, to the viewers.
And if you really find such a photo too banal, then simply make it part of a little story. For example, part of a visual story about a typical business trip. That’s how storytelling works – with supposed banalities.
There can be stories behind even the most mundane things. Every day!
Often people ask what I’m photographing, which is a hard question to answer. And the best what I’ve come up with is I just say: Life today.
William Eggleston
There is always light somewhere – go out and shoot!
Hi Peter,
Good to hear from you after a while. I see a direct link between what you’re writing about now, the trip to Venice and your own and other’s comments. For me there is a clear difference between the personal and the public. For me photography is purely personal. I don’t need a photographic signature that everyone can recognize instantly. On Flickr I have posted many banal pictures. Why? Because during a fleeting moment in time I was touched, my camera in hand. No intentions, no composition, just a sudden urge to satisfy. I don’t care about what others think of my pictures. I’m not trying to make a statement that I need you to agree on. My photography is personal. The pictures news photographers take sometimes touch an emotive nerve (Gaza and all the other, sometimes unseen wars), sometimes I just I acknowledge what I see. When I have a camera in hand, it adds a layer. Sometimes casual, and a banality is recorded. Sometimes I make a more deliberate effort because I think that my subject deserves more attention. Are your pictures of Venice ‘ touristy’ or not? Should they be more ‘artistic’? Who cares, they’re your pictures a you’re their photographer. What they do for you is important. So keep in taking banal pictures as much as you like. It’s okay. Sorry for my ramblings, Peter
Hi Jan,
Thank you very much for your thoughts! Basically, you’re saying a lot of what I wanted to express here. And I wanted to express it to others (and also to myself, again and again – so much for the personal stuff). But the whole topic is more complex, of course. For one thing, photography isn’t just personal for me. The mere fact that I publish many of my pictures (whether on the web or in an exhibition) logically makes them public – and no longer purely personal.
And then there’s the matter of one’s own expectations, special project ideas, or simply creative pleasure, etc… which is probably what you’re alluding to with the “Venice article” (and my dissatisfaction). Phew, that would be a really big topic. It plays a role here, but it’s not the only factor. That would be something to discuss over a few beers/wines/coffees 🙂
Peter
Essen, is it? Or Sittard maybe visit our Expo 6 & 7 september ?
Cheers, Jan
You mean where I live? No, thats Bonn. Your Expo in Sittard would be a good idea and it’s not that far away. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it. My September is completely booked with personal and work commitments, and then we’re going on holiday from 19 September. That’s a shame, it would have been interesting…
Peter
Ein sehr gelungenes Beispiel für ein Story-Telling! Klasse
Gruß Volker
Danke Dir! Eigentlich ging es mir hauptsächlich um das banale Bild mit den Pommes… aber trotzdem… es gehörte ja sogar wirklich zu den 9 Bilder dieser Story. Ich hatte das mal ne Weile gemacht mit der Idee, jede Woche 9 Fotos als “Story” zu machen… 🙂
VG Peter