PhotoTalk - An introduction
The successor of Chaturdays is about to start
Since last September I’ve organized a weekly photo discussion via Substack Chat called ‘Chaturdays’. That initative came to life as I noticed some interest in discussing photographs through the comments on my posts.
The main issue with doing it via Chat is a lot of subscribers do not use the Substack app and therefor have no access to the chat. Just a small group of photo enthusiasts participated in these discussions. A missed opportunity as I believe the more the merrier!
Hence the birth of PhotoTalk. A separate section on Darkrooms where hopefully more readers will join these discussions as this will be sent out in the newsletter every other week and will be available via your browser.
Format of the photo discussion
There are plenty of structured ways to do a photo discussion. complete libraries have been written on this topic. All of them do have some good points and some that do not work in specific areas, be it the level of knowledge of the viewers or the way photos are presented (real-life vs. online).
For PhotoTalk and the way we can present the item(s) I’d like have a photo or a series of photos being evaluated on a few topics before adding your comments. Those topics addresses different aspects of a photograph:
Appeal:
Focuses on the overall visual attractiveness and subjective likability of the photo. It's about the aesthetic appeal and personal preference.
Clarity:
Pertains to how well the message or subject of the photo is conveyed and understood. It involves the clear communication of visual elements.
Engagement:
Deals with how well the photo captures and retains the viewer's attention. It goes beyond the initial appeal and considers the ability to maintain interest.
Impact:
Encompasses the lasting impression or emotional effect the photo has on the viewer. It's about the power of the image to leave a significant mark.
Execution:
Refers to the overall technical and artistic proficiency in creating the photo. It involves assessing the skillful application of photographic techniques.
While these concepts share some common ground, they provide a comprehensive perspective on different facets of a photograph. For example, a photo may have initial appeal but lack clarity in conveying its message. Alternatively, a photo might be technically well-executed but fail to engage the viewer. Separating these aspects allows for a more detailed and nuanced critique.
I’m really curious to hear your thoughts on this approach: Answering the 5 topics (via a poll) and leave your written comment for us all to interact upon.
That’s it for this first PhotoTalk newsletter.
Till next time,
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‘If you photograph with your heart, the viewer is also moved.’
it looks good to me. let's see first reactions and impact and if need you might chance along (my "fear" is that not everybody is willing to communicate even with the help of a poll)