Visual Language

26.07.2021, 12:22 #1

Richard Rduch

Which picture looks better?

There’s something called visual language, and there’s a reading direction (for us, from left to right). Important elements should generally be placed on the right; looking to the left suggests the past (the subject “leaves”), looking to the right suggests the future (the subject “approaches”), the light should shine into the image, and so on.
Someone suggested that I flip the image.
What do you think—does it make a difference?
Which version do you think works better?

26.07.2021, 13:20 #2

Jürgen Herbel

Hobbyfotograf

Hello Richard,

Usually, people don’t criticize—they share their personal opinion about a photo. That’s why I don’t criticize; I leave a comment when I like a picture.
Knowing the rules of composition is helpful, but rules are meant to be broken.
Picasso was criticized, as was everything new—where would we be if people let that discourage them?
My personal opinion is that the photo club is quite conservative. So, let’s get to work. New things bring change.

Best regards, Jürgen

26.07.2021, 15:24 #3

Stefan Stark

Administrator

Interesting question. To me, both images tell different stories. So the question I'm asking myself isn't which image I like better, but which story resonates more. And right now, I can't decide. I'm curious to see how others perceive it.

26.07.2021, 16:10 #4

Ramona Liehr

Hobbyfotograf

Personally, I always prefer images where the person or animal is looking to the left when I view them. In this case, I like the left image better. The bird is coming in. In the right one, it’s flying out. But you could also interpret it the other way around.

26.07.2021, 17:34 #5

Richard Rduch

@Toni Stark I really struggle with the idea of a story in a picture. People often say, “A (good) photo has to tell a story.” I don’t get it, because the story doesn’t actually happen within the photo itself—it takes place in the viewer’s mind and may have nothing to do with the image at all. These so-called stories are simply open to interpretation and depend not on the photo itself but on the viewer’s imagination. Anyone can come up with something about any image if they want to.

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26.07.2021, 18:02 #6

Stefan Stark

Administrator

@Richard Rduch

Sure, by "story" I mean exactly what you described. It’s my story inspired by your photo. Your photo is the trigger for my story, but my story isn’t necessarily tied to your image. I completely agree with you: every viewer has their own story.

I might interpret the idea that a good photo must tell a story a bit differently. A photo should spark a story in the viewer’s mind. It should capture their attention, even if just briefly. It doesn’t have to be complicated. “Chicken bidding farewell to the sunset” or “Chicken saying ‘come on, let’s go, it’s getting dark’” are already stories.

If you don’t want to convey anything like that, you obviously don’t have to worry about it. Then aesthetics can be the deciding factor. But what if you can’t decide based on that, like in my case? What other criteria could I use to make such a decision?

26.07.2021, 20:14 #7

Gabi Haase

Hmm, the story behind a picture... As mentioned before, it has a lot to do with one’s own imagination and also depends on the subject. When you photograph people, landscapes, or similar scenes, it tends to spark more imagination than, say, a still life. Before a photographer clicks the shutter, they should already have a clear idea in their mind of how the final image should look and feel—so they’re responsible for its quality. The story that comes with it is created by the viewers, and it varies from person to person.

26.07.2021, 20:34 #8

Richard Rduch

@Gabi Haase
So why is the phrase "A good photo tells a story" repeated constantly and everywhere?
But isn’t the story actually up to the viewer, not the image? As has been pointed out several times.
The image is supposed to serve as a trigger? But, as mentioned, people are so different.
I argue that every photo tells a story. So, does that mean all photos are good?
To me, that phrase is just a cliché without deeper meaning.
Simply a slogan, a catchphrase, a phrase...

26.07.2021, 20:52 #9

Gabi Haase

I think, Richard, that we don’t see eye to eye on this. Not every picture tells a story (at least, that’s how it is for me). Take your pheasant shot, for example. You really nailed it. Everything fits, everything harmonizes, and I absolutely love it. But don’t ask me to come up with a story behind the image. I actually have a vivid imagination, but nothing comes to mind for this one. Is that a bad thing? No, I don’t think so, and for heaven’s sake, I’m not trying to upset you.

26.07.2021, 21:55 #10

Volker Böck

Hobbyfotograf

The key question is: Which image is better?
A picture can tell a story, but it doesn’t have to. In my opinion, at least two images are needed to tell a story (usually—of course, there are also self-explanatory photos).
If, for example, the second image featured a fox, or pheasant chicks, or a pond, or something like that, then it could become a story.

Regarding the image shown, I’d say if the pheasant could be shifted slightly to the right (toward the lighter part of the clouds), with the gaze directed to the right—so basically mirrored—that would be my favorite.
Best, Volker
Do the masterpieces of painting always tell a story, too?

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27.07.2021, 14:47 #11

Richard Rduch

@Gabi Haase Please keep in mind that you are only writing about yourself. Someone else will come along, and the image will tell a different story for them. In fact, both this image and all images in the world have to tell stories because there’s always someone who can or wants to see something in them. Since I tend to think pragmatically, this makes perfect sense and feels logical to me.
One more thing about the comment that still lifes aren’t good for storytelling—I actually have a very different opinion. Still lifes are especially known for symbolism, interpretation, and storytelling, and have been for many years, long before photography.

28.07.2021, 11:45 #12

Holger Förster

In my opinion, a photo is "good" when it fulfills its purpose as completely as possible. Judging a photo without knowing why and for what goal it was taken is actually impossible. The requirements for, say, a news photo in a daily newspaper are very different from those for a photo wallpaper in a law office.
Generally speaking, photos that are merely copies of reality tend not to captivate viewers as much as images that convey their own message, going beyond just what’s real. I believe this is what people mean when they talk about the story photos are supposed to tell. Even still lifes can tell a story: a bowl of fruit meant to remind us of life’s transience will look very different from one intended as a harvest celebration photo. But if the fruit bowl conveys no message other than “there’s fruit here,” then the photo isn’t telling a story.
The photo of the pheasant is technically very well done; the color composition follows all the usual rules, and while the perfectly centered subject placement might be up for debate, it’s overall a successful photograph. But what story does the image tell? What makes it more than just a (photo) copy of reality? It doesn’t make me hungry for the bird, nor do I see anything regal in its posture... Honestly, I can’t even decide whether I find the bird or the sky more striking. And it really doesn’t matter whether the bird is looking left or right. Those who find a “story” in the image will probably appreciate it more than imaginative people like me.

28.07.2021, 12:17 #13

Richard Rduch

@Holger Förster Hello Holger!
The classic question: “What is the author trying to tell us with this?” I could spin several fairy tales here. From symbolism (apple as a symbol of feminine power, fertility, the force of life, love, and beauty, etc.) to my own invented, somewhat far-fetched but fitting stories. Does that make the photo any better?
But I can also say: “I don’t take photos to explain them!” I don’t want to, and can’t, tell the viewer what to see or what to think.
Of course, it’s different with press photos or documentary photography. Those are records that are worthless without context. I assume most people here can tell the difference and understand the purpose. The saying “A good picture tells a story” was coined to elevate less demanding images (paintings, drawings, photos...)—and many fall for it.

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28.07.2021, 14:31 #14

Holger Förster

Well, the song title “Every Picture Tells a Story” is by Rod Stewart, 1988! But whether he meant fruit bowls, who knows

17.08.2021, 17:52 #15

Silvi B.

Hobbyfotografin

An image can also simply be

beautiful,
atmospheric,
idyllic,
romantic,
soothing,
or inspiring...

17.08.2021, 17:58 #16

Silvi B.

Hobbyfotografin

@Jürgen Herbel I think the picture on the right is better.

:-D But I guess it always depends on the viewer's perspective and what they prefer.

23.08.2021, 14:05 #17

Karl-Heinz Sauer

I’m not really the type to interpret images artistically! But the question was which picture I like better: the one on the right or the one on the left. Personally, I prefer the one on the right (emotionally), even though the two images aren’t mirrored—the left one has slightly higher contrast (darker sky and more red). So for me, the ideal would be the right image with the color quality of the left one. Pretty simple if you just combine the two!?
Cheers, Okasa

23.08.2021, 14:30 #18

Richard Rduch

@Karl-Heinz Sauer These are exactly the same photos.
You can easily check the colors and contrasts using an eyedropper tool in any photo editing software.

23.08.2021, 17:43 #19

Karl-Heinz Sauer

Alright Richard, then it must be my screen—or my eyes! Oh well!
Cheers, Okasa

23.08.2021, 21:24 #20

Christian Wegerle

Semiprofi

According to traditional photography rules, the image on the right would probably be considered the "better" one. Here, the pheasant forms an ascending line in the direction of its gaze (from left to right), which is generally perceived as positive or more pleasing. However, you shouldn't be bound slavishly by rules. Ultimately, you should trust your own impression—and only your own. You are the artist, and you decide.

27.12.2021, 15:51 #21

Andreas Schäfer

Experte

Subjectively, I find the image on the right more appealing. Who cares?

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