The meaning behind a photo

Why context is so important

Hello fellow photography lovers,

Last week I walked into the local mortuary for a condolence. Not immediately the place where you think of photography, but as I stepped inside, an image flashed through my mind: a photo I once took of the façade. A sleek, architectural picture. And yes, that may sound like a somewhat macabre choice for a photograph. But wait a moment before you pass judgement.

Because here comes the story: that building, which is now a mortuary, once stood on the site of my childhood paradise. A giant pile of mud and clay - leftover building material for a new housing estate. For us neighborhood kids, it was a playground full of adventure. We made slides out of cardboard, built forts, and were guaranteed to come home covered in mud (much to the dismay of our mothers).

So for me, that picture tells something very different from what you might think at first glance. It is not a bleak image of a building, but a gateway to childhood memories.

And therein lies exactly the magic of photography: without the story to go with it, you would be looking at a completely different picture.

In the 8th part of my ‘Long-term photography project’ series I showed you this photo as part of my project ‘What remains’.

Memories as invisible baggage

Every photograph we take carries a backpack full of context. For us, as photographers, that backpack is full of memories: smells, sounds, emotions. Maybe you remember what happened outside the frame, or who was there. But for the person viewing your photo? They only see what you show them.

Think of those typical family photos where everyone is smiling happily at the camera. What you don't see is that Aunt Carol was just arguing with Uncle John about his new moustache, or that little Tim had put some cookies in his pocket. That context adds a layer that makes the photo human and unique.

Photography is a fascinating medium because the meaning of an image keeps changing. Take my photo of the morgue above. When I took it, it was just an straightforward building, with a hint of nostalgia. But years later, during that visit for a condolence, the same photo took on a completely different connotation.

A photograph is actually a time machine. It takes you back to the moment you took the picture, but also to how you look at it later. Every moment you look at the photo adds new context and emotions.

What can you do with this as a photographer?

As a photographer, you are faced with an intriguing choice: how much of the story do you tell? Sometimes it is nice to leave room for the viewer's imagination. But there are also times when a small piece of context, such as a title or a short caption, takes a photo to the next level.

Here are a few ideas to experiment with:

• Play with presentation. Show the same photo, but add a different context each time. How does the interpretation change?

• Hear what others see. Ask someone what they recognise in your photo before you tell your own story. The answers may surprise you.

• Think about your message. Sometimes a subtle hint says more than a complete story. Choose consciously what you do and do not share.

Capture what you feel

That mortuary photo showed me again what photography is really about: capturing not only what you see, but also what you feel and experience. It proves that even the sleekest architectural photo can be infused with stories.

So the next time you look through your viewfinder, ask yourself: what story do I want to tell? And perhaps more importantly, what part am I leaving open to the viewer's imagination?

I am curious to hear your stories and photos in which context plays a major role. Feel free to send them in through the comment section.

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Next week

As we’re entering the end of the year, I think it is time to tell you about the exciting plans I have for Darkrooms. Stay tuned!

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That’s it for this newsletter.

Till next time,

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