Visualization
One of the major mindsets on the art of photography is visualization. What exactly does that mean? How can we visualize a photograph in our mind before we even get to a location? How does that make a better photograph?
vis·u·al·i·za·tion : the representation of an object, situation, or set of information as a chart or other image //// the formation of a mental image of something.
Ansel Adams used the term very often, but many are left asking — what does it even mean? I’ve watched countless videos about Adams through the years, and I finally found one where the man himself discusses the process.
You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxLCCZH6LOs
Let’s start from the beginning. The external event. This is the scene that you come across, or even a scene you pass while driving down the road. I’ve had this visualization process begin in my mind while driving down the road and have even turned around to capture what I want the photograph to be in its end form.
Over the course of this current winter, this photograph was one where I stopped the car and began to gather my gear because I saw scene and knew I wanted to capture it.
“into the pines” Nick Beckner Photography 2020
Next in the video, Adams discusses the internal event. What is going through your mind when you see a scene in front of you?
This comes back to my previous post about Photography and Emotions. He goes on to explain that it begins with a scene that excites, me, the photographer. It makes me want to take the photograph. I picture the photograph, in my mind, and capture what I felt in the moment.
The thoughts I have on this were broken down somewhat in the Emotions post, but I wanted to share this a little more in depth today. I go out and about in my life, and I look for things I want to capture. More importantly, I look for things that make me want to capture them. That can be regular and mundane life in street photography. It can be landscapes that are beautiful and large. It can be small intimate scenes in a forest. If it excites me, I begin to think ahead. What do I see? What am I feeling while looking into the viewfinder of my camera? I then begin to act on capturing it. Applying skill and knowledge of the art of photography to properly capture the image, but I am also thinking about what I want that image to show. What I want it to reveal. If I properly go through this process of visualization, the typical snapshot is kicked to the curb, and a photograph is taken. Anyone can take snapshots. The difference I pride myself in, is that my photographs have the power to make you feel something. Are you taking photographs intentionally, or are you creating snapshots? Be intentional with your work.
“Be intentional with your work.”
If you’re interested in improving your photography, I highly recommend grabbing the book : Ansel Adams: The Camera, as soon as you can. It breaks down the techniques of photography to help you explore the artistic potential this art form has.
You can grab the book here: https://amzn.to/3i1z1BR
I am interested in hearing what you are needing help with in your photography. If I am able to help you advance in your art, I will.
Share this with someone you think may take any insight from this post and until then, keep capturing.
