Chicago photograph

My sister was in Chicago this past weekend for an award ceremony related to her college classes. She graduates in less than a month with a degree in interior design. Last night she posted some snapshots from her trip, and the following one really intrigued me.

This photograph, somehow, does what I always want pictures to do but can’t get them to do — and, frankly, very few people seem to be able to do — which is genuinely convey to the viewer what it’s like to be in a particular environment. Photographs can do a lot of things and do them well, but engaging the viewer in a spatial manner isn’t one of them in my opinion.

My sister’s photo works towards this spatial engagement on a number of levels. The perspective, the negative space (the sky), the framing (or composition) and textural contrast between the two structures on each side of the alley brings the environment to life. The viewer is drawn into the picture in a way I seldom find in photography. The abstraction (i.e. blurriness) and monochromatic nature of this piece also aid in the intrigue. I’m not sure if this was intentional, but half of good photography is knowing which negatives to use and which to toss. Even if this was just a “happy accident,” she should be commended for knowing what and what not to share on Facebook!

As I’ve said before, I like photography but don’t consider myself a photographer. It’s a visual art that lies somewhere between the digital and tactile realms, although it’s becoming more and more a digital phenomenon. I’m getting to know the photography prof at John Brown University, and he recently confirmed my suspicion that getting palpable paper to print on is getting more and more difficult. Despite this, if I remember our conversation correctly, the school is installing a new dark room in the near future in its recently remodeled art building. JBU is in the process of adding a BFA to its college of arts. Presently they offer digital arts along with illustration, drawing and painting classes. The hope is to add sculptural studios and professors in the very near future.