What’s the first thing you notice when you look at the things you see? Is it the overall person/thing? Shape? Design? Feature? Color? All these, and more at the same time? There are so many things we consider as we see. Luckily, our minds compartmentalize quite naturally. Otherwise, we’d be so disoriented and confused. With exception for those in the world who are color blind, we see in color. It’s so embedded in how we see that we can forget that that’s the case.
We tend to notice what’s important to us at certain times, and ignore what’s not. For me as a street photographer exploring the unlimited supply of human expressions, it’s people. It’s in that split second of seeing someone that my observations are determined. The gestures and movements each of us make while doing what we’re doing. That specific uniqueness in each of us that cannot be replicated by another which makes that photograph worth taking.
We all bring our personal histories to everything we see, say and do. I believe photographers are no different. You may think differently. Granted!
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Often, it’s the impact of colors that draw me into taking a photograph. How they affect my emotional state is such a primal, and at times—intense promulgator and tool.
Since my prior newsletter had black & white as a focal point, I figured to talk about color in this one.
Early on in my photographic career, I was drawn to the abilities that color provided in telling stories—whether inward, or outward facing.
What myriad of ways can color evoke emotion? The same way that movies in black & white differ from those in color, and how distinctly differently each makes you feel. The base colors in this photograph offer you a certain way of reacting with its subdued harmonious color palette. They’re inherent in the subject as well as the surroundings.
I have been doing black & white to color comparisons since early on. These two were taken back-to-back, the same day and time. Scanned from their original negatives. The benefits of what they bring to the senses is what’s kept me photographing both ways through the years. Preferring neither over the other.
Various color palettes are known to represent specific times and place. Besides style of clothing in this photograph, the other thing that places it in time is color.
There’s so much more I wanted to talk about, but will leave it here for now. Maybe continue the train of thought in a future newsletter.
If you enjoyed seeing this visual story, please hit the like button to confirm its impact on you. Please share it with someone you know who would also find it enjoyable.
As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read it through.
Til next time…
Kenneth
Such a rich discussion to continue in this. Some great photographs here! Particularly the W4th St. powerful composition and colors.