One Photograph a Million Different Viewers

Amanda Bentley

ENC1102

January 2013

After the gallery viewing last week I found this quote, “There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” -quoted from Ansel Adams; American photographer best known for his black and white photos. It basically sums up my feelings on the gallery viewing and such a simple quote can speak volumes when you stop and reflect on its meaning. The photographer will always see the same thing in a certain picture because they were the person who was there in the moment. But, since there is always a different viewer there will more than likely be a different depiction each time. Art does not have a right or wrong depiction, it is whatever a person feels when they look at the photograph.

Sydni Plummer’s piece Trail to no Where captures the simple nature of an empty boardwalk in black and white. Out of the many paintings in the room that I enjoyed viewing during the gallery; this was one that I loved. The scene is serene and taken in black and white. Trees, bushes, and shrubs surround a wooden boardwalk.  I was drawn to this picture because it reminds me of my ‘escape’ from the real world. Close to where I live is a boardwalk covered above by trees and all you can hear are the frogs and crickets late at night when there’s not many people around. I often visit this spot to think or just walk up and down with friends and vent.  The photograph could have a different feeling towards their photograph; the title could mean that they have hit a dead end or road block with something they are doing.  Also, other people could have traumatizing memories at a location like this. Personally, black and white snapshots bring a refreshing and more elegant look to pictures.

The quote I found really reflects on one of the first paintings I saw when I walked into the building.  In my opinion it is a very disturbing photo but I cannot be sure why the photo was taken or what it means to the photographer.  Susan Tassin’s The Road to Hell, captures a woman lying on the ground in dirt face down.  The woman’s hands are bound by rope behind her and she is barefoot.  It’s a very harsh picture even the outside looks cold and bitter. From my view of the picture it looks demeaning and belittling to the woman captured in the photograph.  But, the photographer’s point of the photo may not have any bad connotation at all; possibly it is just to snap a photo, or a scene from the person’s favorite movie.  

“Home is where the heart is.” I hear this almost too often.  In the photo titled Home, taken by Kaila Bacon the sunset at the pier on the beach is captured.  The sky is a beautiful two different shades of blue that fades into white clouds and the sun is reflecting on the water.  In the background you can see some of the buildings or maybe hotels that are right on the beach and to top it off the waves are just rolling in.  I like this picture a lot because it has so many different aspects to look at in the picture and doesn’t just focus on the pier and it all ties in together.  The beach is a very relaxing place, to lie on the sand and tan without a worry in the world for a moment would be a perfect time in the day.  Also, the title of this photo makes me appreciate it even more; the photographer is giving a look into their life and what they love, which makes it easier to connect to the picture in my eyes. 

So, when depicting a piece of art remember Ansel Adams quote that was quoted at the beginning; you are not going to see the exact same things your neighbor sees in that photo, painting, clay sculpture, or any other form of art and that is perfectly okay. I think the artist wants us to have our own opinions on what a photo says and/or is about; otherwise wouldn’t everything have a small description along with the art? Take more time to stop and look at a picture, think about what it means to you or what feeling you have when see it.  These three pieces; The Trail to no Where, The Road to Hell, and Home can leave so many different people with so many different feelings no matter how the artist feels.  Pictures bring up happy thoughts, bad memories, upsetting experiences, and many more emotions.