Welcome to the Light Stalking weekly community wrap-up!
Intuitively, one stumbles into the realm of visual language when thinking in photographic terms. However, the catch gets clearer when we attempt to justify our craft by elaborating on how images are capable of telling stories just like written text or verbose talking does. And that’s the thing we need to attend in order to fulfil our bound for narrating something through the means of a photograph.
Nowadays, photographs offer raw data and work as truthful statements of how prone to visual language we humans are. As a species, we are capable of digesting three types of visual entities. In a nutshell, these are signs that can be split into icons, indications and symbols.
Icons are signs that resemble an object, indications are signs that are causally related to their object and symbols are signs that have no inherent connection with their represented object. For example, this 🔥 emoji resembles fire; and smoke in the distance might indicate to us a fire somewhere far away. Curiously enough, the aforementioned word “FIRE”, is a symbol some of us English speakers understand as the physical phenomenon linked to combustion.
Now, photographs are hard to pinpoint just to one of these three, and are better understood as containers of signs which might work as icons, indications, or symbols. The trick here is to think beyond the myth that Western civilisation understands better images by reading them from left-to-right and the other-way around for those who grew up in the eastern hemisphere.
As the bearer of signs, photographs are, it feels cautious to distrust that unfounded tale about how we humans interpret such complex information. Photographs simply can’t work that way and therefore follow a distinct reading logic. However, such uncooked information needs some processing and that’s when the story comes into play; one needs to be certain about the message being shared with the world when posting something online.
The old saying about how an image is worth more than a thousand words, brings light amidst this ai-generated realm we are being pushed into. Thanks to Peirce and Barthes —who’s readings have enlightened my understanding on how photographs are capable of telling stories— I advocate for investing in visual literacy at all age levels.
Covered that, we can follow how our theme on single-frame storytelling developed for this past week!
For it, Diane turned the gears up and asked for visual narratives in a single frame. So expect some clear examples of symbolism and layered elements arranged to create a narrative. And remember, “symbolism refers to using visual cues to express a concept”.
Photo of the Week
Regularly, we expect storytelling in photography presenting itself right this way; in the shape of a single frame capable of pulling the scrolling-brakes — making us wonder. For this case in particular, Pat‘s shot is an invitation into the process of how music is made.
Achieving so much with a single image, is what makes photography stand-out from the crowd when it comes to the various means of communication we’ve developed through the years. It’s amazing how a single frame can open new possibilities and unveil new stories to be told.
Music Maker
Thanks Pat, you are a true master; just like Helen Levitt, Evelyn Hofer and Martine Franck were back in the day.
Weekly Photography Challenge Digest
Thanks again to Diane and Dahlia for pushing our creative boundaries one step forward every week!
A Gardener’s Hands Etched by sun and soil , a life spent nurturing growth.
Emotional Ambiguity ¶ A study in concealed expression
Bloom where you’re planted.
Light in the Shadow
“I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends” – Special Olympics Unified Basketball
For contributing, check out the original challenge post!
A Highlight on the Latest Activity at our Community
Patrick got a humorous tryptic the other day while walking the dog in the forest park:
As well as a study in long exposure:
Robert Apple delighted us with a heavy looking photograph filled with some nice bright colour red; and as noted by Rob, one “can smell the grease”!
Another from the Argus C-four Lens
Last but not least, Patrick reminded us of the importance of self-portraits in photography.
Don’t forget to check the photo contest winners for the Essence of Movement; and remember, this month’s photo contest is now open for entries. The theme revolves on “Storytelling in a Single Frame“. Submit your photos for a chance to win $250 and please don’t forget voting as well. Last but not least, keep an eye out for the Members Picks — the instructions are pretty straightforward:
Members reference what you might consider a five star photo. Give a call out to the photographer and share their photo even if it lies in the Shark Tank and feel free to give a Critique on why it trips your Trigger. Be sure to mention the photographer and the Thread you saw it in.
And if you want to make out the most of your LightStalking user account, make sure to check the latest posts. Also, don’t forget to swim the Mobile Monday Challenge! Last but not least, Check out the current reading throwdown, it has some nice insights and recommendations!
We’d Love To Hear Your Thoughts
Our Feedback Forum is a fine place for all those people wanting to grow fast as photographers. Here, you’ll get your work reviewed by well-intended photographers, but you’ll also have the chance of commenting on the work of others. We believe in the power of feedback, and here are the latest shots shared in the pool:
The Shark Tank is a great place to learn and to discuss, but please read the instructions in order to get a better experience. Share your comments, opinions and doubts on any or all of the images above. We also will be delighted to see some of your own images. Remember all comments are given to the photographs; not the photographers. Also, don’t forget to participate in our upcoming challenge!