Content vs. Presentation
photo and words by Robert Schultz
As artists we have many tools. These tools can come in both hardware and software forms. And when used in the proper manner, they can communicate something that cannot be obtained; emotion.
However, these tools are frequently used to achieve a particular style that does not help the photograph convey emotion or feeling, but rather hinder it unintentionally. More often than not, I see artists abusing these tools and using them to communicate style rather than story. This enables the ostensible artist to take simple snapshots and “fix” them by tweaking them in post so that the viewer is still drawn to the photograph, but in reality they are drawn to the unique processing and not the content.
Photographers are in essence, storytellers. And as storytellers we must not only capture a good story, but convey it well. We shouldn’t have poor content and make up for it with a rich delivery; we should first start with a powerful scene and use our tools to make the delivery efficient and effective. Every adjustment we make in post communicates something. For instance the color tint can be warm or cool, and this parameter alone effects mood in a very potent way.
As artists, storytellers, and photographers we must strive to capture meaningful stories and use our tools to convey them dramatically. The day we learn to examine the content of our photographs, is the day we will become truly skilled photographers; using our God-given talent to the best of our ability.
Robert Schultz is a talented photographer and videographer, and can be found on his flickr page.
