Howard Faxon
There are rules about why a photograph is rewarding to view that involve the structure and composition of the image. These are somewhat mechanical and can be applied with thought and logic. However, the purely subjective aspects of a photograph’s charm can be applied to some extent by logic as well. A perfect first step in dragging subjective enjoyment out into the light is by paying attention to the seasons.
Matching colors and images for seasonal viewing gratification:
In the summer it is hot and dry and people are sweating and thirsty. They are cursing the heat, … The perfect photo for instant popularity will be something cool, something blue, … something like blue ice:
During the summer you can get away with posting a cold gray image. Imagine viewing the photo above during an ice storm. Exactly, you are saying to yourself, “Sorry, but that isn’t making me feel very much better”.
Which brings us to winter when it is cold and forbidding. During those ice storms, driving rains, and howling winds our desire is for warmth, comfort, and safety. The perfect photograph in this case would be something warm, something bathed in golden light, something comfortable, … something like a warm and fuzzy all-is-right-with-the-world sleeping cat:
There you go. You are saying to yourself, “Wow, I’m feeling better already”. There are many subjectivities at work in the unconscious viewing process; but, start with exploiting the seasons and observe instant positive results. I promise.
Until the next installment: If you can’t decide which rule to apply the desire to laugh is always reliable. Just post something silly, something ridiculous, … make that really ridiculous:
(all photos ©Howard Faxon)
Great picture and tips that are never enough.
This is back when tags worked on my posts but also when pictures went *poof* and vanished. Thanks. It was meant to be humorous a little bit. There is some truth there about warm colors in winter and cool colors in summer. The pictures were nice. My cat was there and glaciers in Alaska. A photo essay with no photos. Oh well.
wow nice
Thank you very much. Cheers!
Welcome!
Nice post, Howard. Very informative.
I’m just wondering though, what specie of a duct is that in your last photo.
Hehehe
Ha, ha, ha, … it’s a Donald “Squeeze-toy” Headed Duck. Ridiculosus photoshopicus. Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Cheers 🙂
Haha. I surely did., Howard
These pictures were so interesting just to look at. Keep them coming along!
Perhaps a part of my blog existence is dreaming up an excuse to show some of my pictures.
Thanks so very much … Cheers!
You’re welcome Howard!
By just looking at your pictures, from the pictures that “freeze cold” I suddenly felt warm with the presence of a cat curled up on a blanket. Great tips, great Post Sir!
It was also a bit of fun, perhaps belaboring the obvious, and an excuse to show some pictures. It has been really hot here lately so I should be doing a glaciers in Alaska post – even if it only makes me feel cooler. Cheers.
Alaska… brrr… don’t ask me to joint you. I’ll be dead there..
siempre me diviertes, el gato esta de lo mas ancho durmiendo
y el pato me encanta
Thanks … No pude resistirme a hacer ese pato. jajaja
animals are photogenic. the camera loves them.
Animals are always good – people like seeing them also.
I agree with you, great tips!
Thanks Gina. An old guy told me once, “You want to make a living as an artist? Paint with cool colors in the summer and warm colors in the winter and stay out of galleries.”
Oh, if you get a chance for a “blue ice cocktail” go for it!
You are so right and I agree with everything you said.
Love the blue ice.
Thanks. That time I spent in Alaska and the Yukon was a great time I’ll never stop missing. I also love the color of that ice. The Alaska State Ferries and Railroad are great travel experiences.
Great tips Howard!
Thank you Kim. Especially the Donald Duck squeeze toy head – just plop one on anything really
Cheers
lol