Say What You See

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It’s a good day to start fresh! You can even add some lofty goals and good intentions for those who make New Year Resolutions. For me, it is also a good time to reflect and evaluate my course. “Am I going where I want to go, or at least toward my goals?” Introspection is a healthy way to stay on course and be sure we are going after what is important to us; to figure out our “WHY”.

So I decided to ask myself WHY…. Why do I photograph? Why is photography such a big part of who I am and one of my favorite things to do? It’s more than a hobby or a career. It’s an expression- a language, a tool, an art form, a compulsion! It’s so creative and personal….and I think I found the answer.

I love photography because it allows me to SHOW people what I see. We all have our own perspective: our filters and our lenses which impact the way we see and perceive the world around us. Creating photographs is a way to Say or Show [visibly] what you see in your mind. It is a communication tool with which we can visually and tangibly represent what we see in our minds eye. Albeit truthful or embellished, it reveals what you personally project into your images. I guess I see the world through “rose-tinted glasses”, or so I’ve been told. But I think it’s a good thing to see cups half full, see silver linings, beautiful people and hopeful lives!

What’s more is it gives us opportunity to show value. I photograph what I value: people and beauty in nature, mostly. I’m also a selfie freak – because I value being WITH people. It’s the being together- the connection-I want to remember and share. Some people value good food. My husband photographs his food on a daily basis! Or kids—many people photograph their kids. It’s a great way to communicate value AND cherish the memories! Some people capture moments in culture- news stories and events that make history. Some extol the value of a place through their photography like Ansel Adams, one of the most well known photographers of our time. He captured and immortalized the Yosemite Valley and the Eastern Sierras, creating awareness, value, and because of it, even protection of the native wild lands. Photography is a powerful tool to visibly, and perhaps emotionally, establish or reveal value.

Photography is partly capturing what something looks like and partly showing how you (the artist) see it. It is as much about the artist as it is the subject. We capture our subjects but also put our own spin on it as we capture it, using perspective, lighting, lens choice and a myriad of other factors. Our images have a voice – and we determine what it says and how it is phrased. Even God speaks to us most in visual terms. A picture comes to mind… and it is worth a thousand words.

So as an artist, I feel photography is a great communication tool [or language] that allows me to Say what I See.

So I challenge you [and myself] to go out and create photographs and photographic art that represents your personal vision and capture images that Say What You See. And only if necessary, do you need use words.

#SuzetteSays: WHY? Because we each have a vision that the world needs to see.

A gallery of images I love that Say what I See