Friday 16 January 2009

about perception and manipulation


Nikon D80 | 1/60 seconds | f 5.6 | ISO 125 | 112 mm
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I recall quite well a moment back when I was at university, at one of many courses about journalistic deontology and writing techniques. It was the first seminary with Liviu Popescu, the professor that in just a few week will have to became our friend, mine and my colleagues.
At first, when he entered the class, it was one of that situation when nobody know about the other or what to aspect. Of course the ball was in his court. Looking back now, I have no doubt that he staged very well that moment. He brought a computer an played for us a series of images requiring that each one of us to write what he or she sees in that picture.
Sounds simple, no? And so we started to write.. “an old lady that was banished from her house”, “a skater who is preparing for the Olympics”, “a lovely puppy begging to be pat”, “a just married couple, very in loved, walking in the botanical garden”, “the storm who is on the verge to break out” and so on and so forth. And he started to name students randomly in order to get some answers. After a couple of minutes, he said loud and clear to each one of us: no, no and again no. You should have seen “an old lady”, “a skater”, “a dog”, “a man and a woman”, “landscape”... regardless the practical journalistic application of that short experiment, we all remember, as human beings, to “never assume”…

And, in conclusion, but with no evident connection what so ever with the above made statements, one of my favorites quotes…
“For art to exist, for any sort of aesthetic activity or perception to exist, a certain physiological precondition is indispensable: intoxication”
Friedrich Nietzsche quotes [German classical Scholar, Philosopher and Critic of culture, 1844-1900]

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

un bel exercice de style

Anonymous said...

Now this is introspective. Excellent.

Anonymous said...

Traverses railway ! Ideal for borders!
I love this picture. It is relaxing.

Tudor said...

another journalistic rule says that a picture values 1000 words, or not? thank God that you don't claim that is a journalistic photoblog cause you would have been the biggest liar. sentiments all over it...
your work is reveling like always. love what i see and read. you have earned my respect

Anonymous said...

Very neat perspective and delightful textures here

roentare said...

Beautiful depth of field!

Anonymous said...

Nice words, I would like to follow that kind of courses.
About manipulation (I mean cheating), you have to take a look at photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com
A+ :)

Anonymous said...

The photo is nice. Soothing. Your story about your journalism professor was a very good one. That should be taught to all university students.

Anonymous said...

Interesting story and image. Great perspective and DOF. Like the warm feeling created here, excellent composition.

Anonymous said...

Tels que le soleil, la voie lactée, l'anneau se Saturne, la lune ou la terre. Photo l’idée de Nature diffère de l’idée du Monde.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures! Excellent gallery!

Anonymous said...

Great dof and angle with a lot of texture. I like the words regarding you and your teacher too... words to consider and follow.

Anonymous said...

Me gustan muchisimo las diferentes texturas que has logrado, saludos

Anonymous said...

Excellent composition for this picture of something that never ends... Fine one !

Anonymous said...

Wow! what a shot! Its simple very very vivid in expression, color and depth.

Anonymous said...

You got a very interesting capture which people don't aware of.

Anonymous said...

Love the photo, the rock in the foreground, the touches of green, the simplicity of the moment. Love the story... what a great lesson... what a great teacher he must be! It would be hard for me to be a journalistic photographer. I find stories in most photos; in fact, I find they make great writing prompts!