emotional pictures

I will be honest; I have had movies, songs and even books get me choked up, but never a picture. Is it me, where I just don't respond to pictures, or do other people find the same thing?


What is the most emotional or moving picture you have seen?

For me it depends. If I took the picture, or was around when the picture was taken, I will remember how that person felt. If it is some random photo or a person I don't know, then it does not have as much impact on me.

Pictures don't really get to me either. Unless it's of an atrocity like...well pretty much anything bad happening to a hot chick.

You need to see some ORIGINAL prints of Weston or Adams not in books but the actual prints. I remember the first time seeing Cypress at Point Lobos by Weston and it was so incredible and very moving experience. I had the same type experience seeing a portfolio of Adams work at the Weston Gallery in Carmel. Viewing an original portfolio of Adams work on a table in front of me out of the archival sleeve is just an incredible experience.

A few other photographers I have had similar experiences viewing their work

Bruce Davidson
Roy DeCarava (very powerful)
Arnold Newman (amazing portraits)
Stieglitz
Danny Lyon
Diane Arbus

Man this could go on for some time but all of these amazing photographers can bring emotion from me with their powerful images.

If I saw a Weston or Adams gallery, I think I'd be more like "wow that's big and sharp...I want a large format camera now." Otherwise, I can't get emotional about trees and mountains.

cdifoto wrote in post #5547902
Pictures don't really get to me either. Unless it's of an atrocity like...well pretty much anything bad happening to a hot chick.

Like dating you mate

Pretty much. We'd bang, then I'd cry tears of sympathy.

cdifoto wrote in post #5547922
If I saw a Weston or Adams gallery, I think I'd be more like "wow that's big and sharp...I want a large format camera now." Otherwise, I can't get emotional about trees and mountains.

Well its like describing the taste of an apple to someone thats has never tasted one. Can't really do it and they really would get it even if you could.

Part of the experience for me was looking at an image that you know took a remarkable amount of skill to produce. Also what moved me more than anything is both photographers work is their extreme sensitivity to light, having the eye to see it and then being able to capture that and produce that in a print. Both Adams and Westons photographs are what all great photographs are about really LIGHT. It still just amazes me how many photographers don't understand it and it really does take years to see and to capture it and its what photography and any visual art form is really all about. LIGHT. It all start there.

What amazes me is how many self-proclaimed art experts will insinuate that a person is uneducated, unappreciative, or unable to "see" just because some of the so-called greats' work does not appeal to that person.

cdifoto wrote in post #5548074
What amazes me is how many so-called experts will insinuate that a person is uneducated, unappreciative, or unable to "see" just because some of the so-called great's work does not appeal to that person.

Thats not whats being said at all. Just saying that its something you need to experience to fully understand. I didn't get it either until I experienced it. Man some nerves right up there at surface I'd say.

I either like an image/subject or I don't and it doesn't matter who the hell photographed it or what it took to create the image. No one's going to imply that I'm unable to "understand" and not get a response.

cdifoto wrote in post #5548113
I either like a subject or I don't and it doesn't matter who the hell photographed it or what it took to create the image. No one's going to imply that I'm unable to "understand" and not get a response.

Back off no ones saying or said that. The OP asked I answered I certainly have right to my opinion and I'm I feel bad that you have to take this stand. Its an open forum someone that has a different opinion needs that was never meant as a personal attack has to turn it personal. I think if you saw the original prints you might have a change of heart I did. Maybe not but at least you'd see whats being discussed.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #5548145
Back off no ones saying or said that. The OP asked I answered I certainly have right to my opinion and I'm I feel bad that you have to take this stand. Its an open forum someone that has a different opinion needs that was never meant as a personal attack has to turn it personal. I think if you saw the original prints you might have a change of heart I did. Maybe not but at least you'd see whats being discussed.

When you quote someone, you are addressing them, and that inherently makes it personal. If you want to make a general statement, you do not quote someone and make a statement that specifically targets that person's opinion.

No, again, I do not need to see original prints. Once again, the subjects of trees, mountains, and landscapes do not appeal to me and seeing the original prints would only bring out the technician in me appreciating a large, sharp image.

Ok put this way you have a friend that has a record he's nuts about you don't get it, go see the artist perform and now it kinda makes sense. We should be able to talk about photography and photographers without making it personal. Because seeing the actual prints the way they were meant to be seen is a much different experience than seeing them on the net or in a book. You took it personal I didn't make that way.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #5547913
You need to see some ORIGINAL prints of Weston or Adams not in books but the actual prints. I remember the first time seeing Cypress at Point Lobos by Weston and it was so incredible and very moving experience. I had the same type experience seeing a portfolio of Adams work at the Weston Gallery in Carmel. Viewing an original portfolio of Adams work on a table in front of me out of the archival sleeve is just an incredible experience.

A few other photographers I have had similar experiences viewing their work

Bruce Davidson
Roy DeCarava (very powerful)
Arnold Newman (amazing portraits)
Stieglitz
Danny Lyon
Diane Arbus

Man this could go on for some time but all of these amazing photographers can bring emotion from me with their powerful images.

I felt that way after seeing a gallery of A. Aubrey Bodine prints.

Alex