Now that I have digital camera in my phone, like almost everyone, I have become a much better photographer. The instant feedback showing how my photo turned out helps me make choices about framing my picture.<\/p>\n
But there is one thing a camera can’t change. It shows everything in the range of the lens.<\/p>\n
When I look with my eyes, I focus on only a few things. A camera looks at everything.<\/p>\n
This is why I find it hard to take a photo of the moon. The moon fills my eyes. It’s the only thing I’m looking at in the sky.<\/p>\n
A camera is not that choosy. The ugly power lines can seem even bigger than the magic moon.<\/p>\n
I went to the Art Institute of Chicago this weekend, and saw paintings. Paintings are the thing, the first definition of art. Are you an artist? You must be a painter.<\/p>\n
The painting does what the camera cannot. It draws the eye to the desired object.<\/p>\n
The world, the literal world of the camera, is always much bigger than we can take in. Our eyes choose a few things. What we value, what we fear–this is what pulls our eyes.<\/p>\n
I saw a painting by Sargent wherein the ladies face was distinct, but her dress was blurry. The impression of dress was enough as we looked at her face, at how she stood.<\/p>\n
The artist is arranging us, as much as he arranged the paint.<\/p>\n
I paid for the experience of seeing this art. I am glad to be so manipulated.<\/p>\n
I know I am manipulated all the time in my life, with messages and advertisement and instructions.<\/p>\n
Professionals also create most of those, too.<\/p>\n
Somehow, this is not that. These arrangements, this portrayal of impressions and ideas, are a window outside of my daily life. That makes all the difference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Now that I have digital camera in my phone, like almost everyone, I have become a much better photographer. The instant feedback showing how my photo turned out helps me make choices about framing my picture. But there is one … Continue reading