28 Ways To Interpret A Photo
On September 18th, I asked my fellow photographers to join me in an artistic experiment. I wanted to see how a single photo could be interpreted by different people, and to do this I presented the test-subjects audience with an unprocessed photograph and asked them to “Edit My Photo“.
I knew that each participant would produce a different photo via post-processing, but how different was unknown. I must say that I'm shocked and amazed at the diversity and creativity of these results. The photographs on this page clearly show the boundless possibilities of artistic interpretation, and it all spawned from a single image.
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Read below the images for more discussion of results AND for part 2 of this experiment — everybody's invited.
Before going any further, I'd like to sincerely thank all of the people who participated in this project so willingly and enthusiastically. Seriously gang, this wouldn't have happened without each and every one of you. Every photo on this page is an integral part of this project. And a huge thanks again to my Grandfather, Ron McCoy, who gave me this great idea for a project. Now… on with the discussion.
WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS IMAGE?
You may be asking yourself “Why the heck did this guy pick such a cruddy photo to run the project with?” Well, the image was completely intentional on my part. I literally have hundreds of unprocessed images in the “To-Do” pile, but this one presented unique opportunities for the project.
- Technical Flaws
The horizon is crooked, there are dust spots, it's not perfectly exposed, and there are probably other things wrong with it too. I was curious to see how people would either “fix” these flaws, overlook them, or incorporate them into their final image. - Lack of Color
The image contains color — it's just not as vibrant as most of us would like to start with. I wanted to see how people would deal with this, and how color affects the mood of the image. - Foreign Objects
There's a string of buoys in the water, and I was interested in how people would deal with something that seemed out of place. - Simple Subject
The composition is so simple in this image that it opens itself up for a number of interpretations. The overall mood of the processed photo would be highly dependent on the participants.
So basically, I picked the image because it would present the project participants with many processing options. I also wanted to convey (with these results) that typically overlooked images may actually have some life in them — you just have to be creative and open your mind to “out of the box” options.
WHY ARE THE RESULTS SO AMAZING?
The photos above represent vastly different artistic styles, each of which is as unique as their creators. The combined effort is much greater than any one person would spend on a single photo, and the results are far more creative and diverse than any one person could achieve. Some of the participants are photographers who I've been following for some time now, and I can certainly see their artistic style showing through even though they didn't take the photo.
This experiment further affirms my own beliefs that photography is 50% capture, 50% processing. You may not hold the same views (I already know I'm going to hear about this comment from the “purists”), but you can't completely dismiss the power of post-processing. When it comes to the artistic side of photography, Photoshop and other similar software is a vital tool of expression.
The main reason I think these results are so amazing is because I gave no instructions or boundaries as to what to do with the original image, other than “process the photo until you're satisfied”. What I got back was a huge range of technique and style. Amazing.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS?
I've learned a lot watching this project take it's course, and I'm sure that the participants learned a few things too. But I think there are many key things that all of us can take away from this.
- There's More Than One Way to Process a Photo
In fact, there may be an infinite number of ways, you just have to seek them out and have the creative drive to try different Photoshop techniques. - Artistic Style Counts
Your own style can show through with post-processing just as much as it can in taking the photo. - It's Not the Software, It's the Artist
A ton of different software packages were used in these creations. Find something that works for you and develop your techniques. - Give Your Photos a Second Chance
Just because a photo initially looks unusable, doesn't mean it's not worth pursuing. A larger processing skillset will give you more options and allow you to use more of your images. - Art is Subjective, Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Everybody has a different taste for art and photography. Don't be so quick to judge the work of others as “bad” just because it's different than you would have done it. Instead, study their work and try to understand what the artist has conveyed. Being less critical and judgmental will allow you to enjoy a much wider spectrum of art.
So study the photos presented here, explore the techniques that were used, ask yourself why you're drawn to certain images, and see if you can find an understanding of why the artist arrived where they did. There's a lot more to learn than I've listed here, but you'll have to find it yourself.
PARTICIPATE IN PART 2 OF THIS EXPERIMENT
Watching one image transform into multiple works of art has been absolutely amazing, but I'd like to take things a step further. What is it that makes certain works of art more appealing than others? Are there any patterns or consistencies to the more “popular” photos? To give us some insight to these questions, I need everybody's help again.
I want you to list your top 3 favorites from the images above. You can vote for up to 3, but no more — the results will be more interesting if you list 3, but you can also list 1 or 2. Each image is numbered from left to right, top to bottom. If you hover your mouse over an image, you should see the little text-tip pop up that shows the number and the artist's name. Vote by leaving a comment on this page with the numbers for your selections, and feel free to tell us what made you vote for them. I know there are a lot of them, but seriously try to view all of them at their higher resolution by following their links — there are a lot of subtleties that can't be seen in the thumbnails.
I tried to set this up with my usual poll plugin, but it didn't like the images very well. Besides, I think voting in the comments will work out better because we can vote for more than just one. So cast your votes now — I'll tally up the results and discuss my findings next Tuesday (10-23-07). Oh yeah, the most voted for artist will receive $50 in cash or giftcards (I'll let the winner decide).
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UPDATE: The votes have been counted, and the winner announced. See the results from this project.
James Banks
October 16, 20071 – #27
2 – #16
3 – #3
simon
October 16, 20071 – #27
2 – #16
3 – #3
Bob Warren
October 16, 2007Brian —
Care for somewhat more daring interpretations? Grant Dixon has been hosting a Photoshop Challenge site for some time now that allows for unlimited use of the ‘starting point’ image. I’m sure the crew there would take this image in some different directions. Grant’s site is at:
https://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/index.html
Joanne
October 16, 200711, 3 and 6
casey g.
October 16, 2007J. Moore said above, “Obviously the image above is not thought provoking. It does not deal with ideas of humanity and emotion.”
Aside from the fact that I think it is arbitrary to artificially limit good photography to “humanity and emotion,” still there is humanity in every photo. I’m not a photographer myself, but my father is. People see far more about who my father is less by looking at a photograph of him, and more by looking at the photos he takes. We look at them, we interpret the reason he took a particular photo, and we realize the photos are a mirror reflecting him.
When we enjoy a photo taken by a someone, it is often because that photo also reflects us as well. We see things we like, so the reflection of the photographer turns out to look similar to our own reflection. Sometimes we see things we don’t like, or had never thought of, so the photo is thought provoking in the opposite way. The reflection of the photographer that we see doesn’t look like us at all.
Yet you say, “Obviously the image above is not thought provoking. It does not deal with ideas of humanity and emotion.” Unless someone thought of that for you, then the image was thought provoking for you. And if being thought provoking is something that might make a good photo, then by your words this is a good photo. You just don’t like it.
You like “humanity and emotion.” You like the mirror of photography to reflect back a photographer that looks like you… one who likes to take pictures portraying these favorites of yours. And some of us like to look at photos that reflect photographers (or in this case photo manipulators, and any person who develops his photos is one) that look like us.
And I really like some of the takes on the photo above 🙂
Cellulose
October 16, 20071 – #3
2 – #27
3 – #13
ea henseler
October 16, 2007best : 1, 6, 16
Dom
October 16, 2007#1: 17
#2: 3
#3: 12
Rhonda Auer
October 16, 20071. 4
2. 9
3. 28
chad
October 16, 20071
3
17
getthebubbles
October 16, 20071. 17
2. 13
3. 1
Reasons:
Number 17 is good (my favorite) because it did a few things- it corrected the things that you said were “wrong” with the photo in the first place; the horizon, the floats, the color, the exposure. It also presented the final image in the most imaginative way of all the submissions, and in a way that plays to the “rule of thirds” aesthetic.
Number 13 is good because it also fixes the “wrong” things, and also brings out a different tonal range than the other submissions, without going black and white.
Number 1 is good because I thought it was the best out of the “full color” images, one that borders on HDR which pushes it towards almost a painterly image. Not normally my cuppa, but still good.
~M
October 16, 20077
13
6
Chris
October 16, 20071. 17 Nicely breaks up the long horizon, so does bird
2. 6 Vivid layers of colour, portrait size fits well
3. 19 Single streak of colour makes this photo
The rest are pretty bland and unimaginative.
Louise
October 16, 20071: No. 1 (Andrew Rickmann) – Absolutely beautiful. Such warmth in the colours and still the picture reminds me of a cold autumn morning at the sea. I would definitely put this on my wall if it was big enough for it.
2: No. 16 (Mario Wagner) – I love the pixel-effect and the colour gives a totally different feel than no. 1.
3: No. 3 (Susheel Chandradhas) – The only picture I chose with a horizon. In the other pictures it strained the eyes with such a fuzzy horizon, but in this one I like the fuzzy effect, probably because there’s less of it and because it is the entire picture (except sea gull) that is fuzzy giving it less contrast.
Jonathan Moore
October 16, 2007Ok, so Perhaps my wording with “Obviously this photo is not interesting” are harsh words.
The point that I am trying to make is that if you are looking to be a photographer whose images stand above the rest your photos have got to have something more to it than simply visually appealing.
Yes, I do not find the photo that interesting. Yes, that is just my opinion; however, the reason I do not find it as interesting as others is because I can go to google images or flickr images and find five hundred photos of practically the same thing, composed in almost the same way. While It is true that I can find vast differences in the way it is processed,
it’s still the same thing. There is an old proverb/quote that says something along the lines of, “you can call a duck a cat as many times as you want, it still doesnt make it a cat. ” That’s how I look at it.
@Steve… “Whilst it is patently ridiculous to suppose the post-processing can make a poor image great, it’s equally silly to rush to the other extreme and say that all post-processing is pointless. This challenge is simply a technical exercise: we are not deluding ourselves that we are creating art.”
I never claimed that there was anything wrong with post-processing. Any artist who wouldnt do any post processing to their photos are simply limiting themselves. All I am saying is that there comes a point when you are simply trying to make something good out out of something that really can never be. (Not necessarily in this case… I am speaking just in general)
Half of the photographs I see by “photographers” are for a lack of better words, “posted to hell”. This ultimately takes away from the image and idea… unless there is nothing more to the photo than the visual aspect, and in that case, the post work is all that is going to give it anything of interest at all…
Ultimately it is up to the artist to aim for something more to his or her artwork beyond simply the visual appeal of it. Otherwise it’s creating something for “the hell of it”.
My point is that as artists and photographers your goal should be more than just “capturing pretty images”. Give it something more. Make it thought provoking or an examination of something deeper.
qaqwex
October 16, 200724 – 16 – 11
Mainly becuase I am going through a phase of using aspect ratios as an important parameter in communicating the image. Interstingly, I probably would have cut out the seagull completely and try do draw out an abstract from the bouys and waves.
Ron
October 16, 20071. 21
2. 12
3. 1
Frank Dux
October 16, 20071. 12
2. 3
3. 11
Brian Auer
October 16, 2007Jonathan, Casey, Andrew, and Steve:
That’s quite a discussion you’ve started. Just keep it civil, and remember that the whole world can see your comments. I think it’s a good exercise to discuss topics such as this, but keep in mind that you’re talking about the efforts of other human beings.
To all the voters:
Wow! I can’t believe how many votes there are! It’s going to take me forever to tally the results. Though, I can see a few patterns forming…
And to the project participants:
Again, great work! If you’re reading through the comments on this page or on the Digg page, just remember to take any negative comments lightly. I don’t know why, but some people feel the need to stamp out the efforts of others. There are far more positive comments out there, so that should tell you something about your work.
Brittney
October 16, 2007Jonathan, I think you are missing a big point of this experiment in order to assert your feelings about true art. The purpose of this really doesn’t seem to make a picture that is technically imperfect and better it with technology (I actually like for the artistic point of view of the picture and not the technical beauty of the picture itself; a bird looking lonely across a beach is a pretty interesting metaphor for many peoples live. And for how many people is the horizon a scary prospect that isn’t all in line and perfect, but a crooked horizon of if’s and then’s) it’s about creativity.
It’s about taking something with technical flaws and using your insight to make the best image in your mind that you can of it, and beyond that, to interpret it in YOUR way. I hope you don’t view life in its entirety the way you so subjectively view “ART”. This is a discussion that I have had with many hardcore artists who think their perspective on a piece of their art (and others works) is the only one that matters; art shouldn’t be solely about people understanding the art the way you see it as the artist. You should view it in your own way and appreciate it for the reasons it touches you, because no artists vision is going to translate into the same interpretation for all it’s viewers, and it shouldn’t.
Art is about evoking emotion and feeling and thoughts in people, not about interpreting it in a strict one person interpretation only view. Which this experiment truly highlights.
That being said, I think this was a great experiment, and I will refer this thread to soooo many people who appreciate art in all kinds of ways.
My fave’s:
11 – although not a big fan of dramatic color changes, I love the detail given to the bird more than the ocean in this one. And the fact that the bird and the view so close to the bird is so clear, but the far off view is blurred surely does resonate in my life, so wth, that’s how I will feel it right now.
12 – The only one that focused on the bird; I like this because the bird was not a sideglance imo in this picture. It’s importance seems to resonate in this one. And it just rocks. : )
Original photo – since when has art been technically perfect? I mean, do you remember cubism? Have you seen surrealist art? These are not perfect in their “horizon” lines, but they are still art if you introspectively examine them. And, I think it’s awesome that the challenged was based on an “imperfect” picture. Aren’t we all? ; )
Dan
October 16, 20071st — 16, nice use of duotone-like processing
2nd — 6, good color/saturation editing
3rd — 12, good re-composition to grab primary element of image
Brian Auer
October 16, 2007Brittney, you just made my day. This is one of the best comments I’ve seen on this blog. I think you “got” the point of the project more than I even did. I hope to see you around here again.
Brittney
October 16, 2007Oh, I’ll be around! Keep doing what you are doing Brian, it’s exceptional and appreciated by (obviously) many, many people. : )
And to all of you artists who submitted pictures, PROPS!!! I truly had to look through the group of them multiple times to narrow it down.
Brittney
October 16, 2007By exceptional, besides your own work, I mean encouraging so many people to think outside the box and do the unconventional and to not be afraid to try something different. I see you screen these (or someone, lol), so this isn’t really meant to be put up on the blog, just wanted you to know how cool it is and we need more people like you out there. : )
anissa
October 16, 20071. 7
2. 23
3. 1
Naomi
October 16, 20071st: 22
2nd: 3
3rd: 11
Well done everyone – there are some great shots there!
donny
October 16, 2007its nice to see so much black and white, what creativity
Blair
October 16, 20071 – Concentrates the visuals of being alone at the beach at sunset (or sunrise I suppose)
22 – The two colours in the waves and the colour of the sand are beautiful.
17 – Don’t really like the colours, but I have to admit the ‘dirtiness’ combined with the three parts evoke a sense of nostalgia and even loneliness.
Neil Creek
October 16, 2007Congratulations Brian on running such a fascinating and successful project. We photographers who entered owe you a debt of gratitude, not just for posting and promoting our photos, nor even for bringing us together for a wonderfully social group project, but perhaps most importantly raising the issuse of the artistic merit of digital photo processing so effectively.
Like almost everyone else I’m impressed by the diversity of creative vision, and I had a hard time narrowing down to my three favourites. I’m glad you didn’t limit us to one! Here they are in submission order:
3 – Striking use of colour and crop. Together with the creative artificial deapth of field effect, this photo creates a strong emotional connection with me.
11 – This was a very tough call for me, between this an a couple of other entries. I was torn between the aqua tone being a gimmick or a real contribution to the image. Leaving the colour aside, the crop and contrast were technically brilliant. In the end, this interpretation’s unique charm won me over.
14 – I love the exposure on this one. It draws the viewer’s attention squarely to the bird as the subject. I also absolutely love the pale blue tones throughout the image, which give it a dream-like feel. My only issue with the photo is the buoy right at the edge of the crop. This is a jarring distraction and really hurts the composition. I would have either cropped to keep it out of shot, further into the shot, or cloned it out all together.
Congratulations also Brian, on surviving the Digg 🙂 I look forward with excitement to your next project!
Brian Auer
October 16, 2007Thanks so much Brittney! I hope I’ve made the same connection with a few others too. I’m a big fan of creativity, inspiration, and open-mindedness. I’m seeing photography (in general) take many different directions at present time, and this is the direction I’m choosing to go with it.
As for screening the comments… I just moderate the first one to keep the spammers out. Once you’re in, you’re in.
Susan
October 16, 20071st – #23 Surf still there but softened to emphasize the gull and his solitude on the beach. Horizon was straightened, something I always look for.
2nd – #12 Simplicity
3rd – #6 I’m a sucker for these colors and a vertical format.
Schroddie
October 16, 2007Here’s my vote:
22 – I really like the perspective. He was the only one to “think” about tilting the picture so this is my number 1
12 – At first I was a bit disappointed to see that noone had taken the seagull and its reflection alone. But I guess this one is close enough to what I have in mind so I’ll rank this one #2.
1 – I like the warm colors because it is in contrast with the loneliness of the seagull. I could have taken 15 but it’s too monochromatic to my taste.
Thanks for this article. It’s fun! I really enjoyed the experiment, the conclusions, and am looking forward to reading the conclusion of this one next week!!
S. Song
October 16, 2007#3
#7
#11
Brian Auer
October 16, 2007Thanks for the insights Neil. And as for the Digg traffic… no problem at all with my new Host. Funny you bring up future projects too — I’m actually in the process of brewing one up with another photography blogger. Kind of a joint idea/effort thing. Maybe we’ll launch it in a few weeks or so.
Celeste
October 16, 2007(in order)
#22 – I really love the unique angle and really gorgeous colors in this one.
#27 – I like the contrast, and the not-quite-monochrome aspect to it.
#13 – I love the dark sky and cool colors on this one. It makes the world look bigger and the bird look smaller.
Sierra
October 16, 20071. 16
2. 21
3. 1
eric
October 17, 20076,16,17
Stephen
October 17, 20073 – I’m a sucker for shallow dof
7 – crisp b&w, nice crop on the bird, cutting out extraneous fluff. simple.
17 – the triad is intriguing
Tea
October 17, 20071.#1 so worm
2.#11 so cold
3.#22 so different
Himesha
October 17, 20071. 14
2. 26
3. 3
Tudor
October 17, 2007#11 for sure the best composition and colors. The bird has the perfect natural colors
#7 good colors but it has no life in it
#22 nice angle
Nickyboy
October 17, 2007Just wanted to say I really like what you’ve done here, I found the page via Digg, thanks for sharing
My favourite is 17
Olly
October 17, 200711
6
16
Steve
October 17, 2007I love 17 and number one!
Great experiment very clever.
Feldauge
October 17, 2007What a discussion… and I totally agree with the comments of Brittney. There is nothing to add.
By reading the comments and their justification and by looking at the diverse results of the contest it seems more and more clear that I can’t vote for any of the pictures, sorry. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like certain treatments of the subject but I would vote for my personal view on the subject. That wouldn’t be fair…
I had a lot of fun by processing the picture and by looking at the results. Thanks Brian!
Jayadas
October 17, 20071. 12 – reflection of the seagull
2. 15 – The lonely bird and a sunset effect
3. 17 – The “framing” is interesting
Matt
October 17, 2007I – (11)
II – (17)
III – (6)
NS Joe
October 17, 20071, 12, 28 in no particular order
dawn
October 17, 2007The whole “sraightening the horizon” issue is a funny one. I had considered it. But then I thought – the horizon is rarely that straight, especially when standing on a sandy beach that undulates. I love all of the different interpretations. It just shows how we can see the world in different ways and yet all come together. These kinds of projects are great for discussion and community building.
LC
October 17, 20079, 17, 22