During recent days I have had a few conversations with fellow CNP members either in person or as critique on their posted images related to the challenges of portraying relatable expressions, mostly in abstractions. Let me open this up for a larger discussion if any of you are interested in sharing your perspectives.
While on our journey towards creative expressions (beyond the mere documentation of nature) we have kind of crossed the chasm of "just some creations" more so using uncontrolled techniques to see "what we got" - imitating 'brush strokes', random camera movements etc all belonged to that 'genre'. They (most of them) simply fail to *communicate* since our heart and mind was not involved during the creation process. Of late we have been trying to search for other avenues to give a shape to our feelings and attempting to express such feelings using subjects in nature. The biggest challenge I see in such attempts is the **subjectivity** of such creations.
Let me quote couple of my own images posted here earlier -
While images like these are not *after thoughts* I think there is a good amount of subjectivity in such abstractions. Everyone may not relate to what I have in mind. It for sure to some will appear meaningless.
I think our main challenge in pursuing nature photography as an art form is dealing with subjects in nature and relating that to human value systems, human culture, human relations and human emotions. While it is true that in this urbanized mechanical world we have lost some of our natural connection with the subjects in nature we also simply can't understand all expressions in nature. A smile on a child's face is unmistakable while happy mood of a snake just can't be deciphered. I am not sure, if we have to pursue nature photography as an art form is there any other alternative other than translating our compositions of nature into a relatable form which makes sense in the context of human value system (of course I am not talking about natural history/unique awesome moment etc).
To strengthen what I am saying, look at this great image by Robb Johnson - Chair by Her Bed (click on the 7th thumbnail there). Though an abstract image your interpretation of this image can't be far away from mine because this is the language we speak, we have/had such beds and moments in most of our homes. It is so powerful and can spawn lots of philosophical thoughts. The image instantly grows in our minds.
Similarly, In this image below -
we probably can relate to those wrinkles on his face better than the trace left by the leaf on the sand in the above image.
Isn't the challenge of communication using subjects in nature clear ? We struggle with the language (nature photography) for relatable expressions here. The question of subjectivity in our expressions of nature as art has been haunting me a lot.
Friends, think how we can solve this challenge as nature photographers who want to pursue it as an art form. I don't pretend to have an answer. If you have other related thoughts please do share.
Thanks !