Why take a photograph? Using flowers and plants as an example, let’s answer that “why” question.
Before cameras were invented, naturalists illustrated their work with carefully crafted drawings and paintings. Many of these were exquisite, detailed and accurately coloured.
Then came film and modern lenses: almost perfect replicas of the subject, unadulterated by any human mis-perceptions. Such photos are a stunningly accurate copy, which is fine if you are illustrating a textbook. Yet if photography is ART, arguably some different qualities are needed.
The “why” comes into play. What drew the eye to the subject? Is it the shape, the form, the colour, the contrast, the light? Perhaps the scent? Pictures can’t help with that last one!
Art interprets as well as records. By controlling the composition, the lighting, even the lens used, the photographer selects the desired qualities of the subject and then attempts to succeed in capturing a satisfying representation that pleases the eye, mind, and emotions.
Some would say the photo “tells a story” or conveys something important to communicate to the viewer.
What about this picture? It’s a dark-orange sunflower called “Red Sun” and I spotted it one morning just as it was starting to unfurl its petals. It looked spiky and soft at the same time! The gentle light softened the leaf colour, and the unfocused background made the dark petals jag out like a crown of spears against the pale greens and blues.
Tiny, delicate hairs add texture and finer detail as the eye explores.
A few hours, a day later, and the “normal” flower shape would be established and probably make this sunflower more ordinary.
For me, the shape matters: and the harmonious spread of pastel colours behind the dark, stark petals makes me want to look again; it holds my interest, and captures a specific moment in time for this particular plant.
I have to say that I find the concept of random existence and evolution unsatisfying. The qualifying word there is “random.” Faith and science sometimes collide- and sometimes they mutually enrich. All too often scientists and theologians have butted heads like angry goats! Usually, because theologians don’t understand science AND scientists don’t understand theology. (Both disciplines are complex and multi-faceted, and require a lifetime of study in order to reach the point of realising we only scratch the surface of knowledge and meaning. That’s the point at which a bit of humility and mutual respect makes the conversation fruitful.)
Faith asks questions about mystery and addresses those mysteries via the self-revelation of God, which weaves through all things like a glorious golden thread.
Meditation on a photograph, an interpretation of reality, allows the mind and spirit of a human to ponder beauty; and perhaps discern the fingerprint of the Artist. Add to that an examination of the life, nature, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and an Eternal Light shines through into our own present reality.
Sounds a bit grand, rather high-faluting, and possibly ambitious! But is it so unlikely that a Creator leaves a “signature” on the supreme Art of existence? Only one way to find out- give it a try!
