Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Photography is not merely about capturing reality. Often regarded as a universal language, photography is deeply rooted in personal interpretation and emotional resonance. The subjective nature of photography I find is one f my main challenges as I wonder if others will like my photos the same way I do. Through various perceptions, intentions, and context we --photographers-- hope to convey a story, evoke an emotion or capture a moment in time.

Everyone brings their own experiences, emotions, and biases to a photograph. What one person finds beautiful or moving, another might see as mundane or uninteresting. This variability in perception is often something I think about which likely stems from my insecurity in the quality of my work.

The influence of the photographer's bias

Do I see it because I wish it were there?

As the creator of the image, personal feelings and intentions play a significant role in how we perceive a photograph. This can lead to subjective interpretations where we see emotions and messages based on what resonates with our personal experiences or desires. We may even project what we wish the image conveys rather than what it objectively communicates.

Decisions regarding composition, lighting, and editing also contribute to the subjectivity of photography.

The beauty in subjectivity

While recognizing our bias as photographers plays a crucial part in understanding the emotional and communicative power of our work, the subjectivity of art is not necessarily a bad thing. Subjectivity can often enrich the artistic experience as it enables each viewer to engage in a way that is personal to them. I think what I'm trying to get at here is that even though not every photograph or every work of art is going to be everyone's cup of tea and that's okay!