Time for Objectivity
Thursday, 27 March 2008
I saw a video on photographer Henry Wessel a few weeks ago and the bit that stuck in my mind and got me thinking is where he talks about archiving his photos and only after a significant period of time, like 5 years, does he take them out to review which ones are worth showing. Since seeing the video I have come across a few other photographers who regularly go back over old work and discover new images.
Recognising something that sets a photograph apart from the rest of your own work is not always easy and I feel my opinions are often clouded by subjectivity in my current mood, my recent memories of the shoot and other peoples immediate reaction and choosing the best shots to present to other people is a skill in itself. Perhaps what is needed is some time for the emotions of the day to normalise and some context to return before sitting down to decide which photographs you think are your best. I am trying to make a habit of going back to review older photographs although I'm not sure I can wait five years.
Posted by Gordon at 15:10
