I wrestled with myself internally for a long time:
Should I write the few admonishing words right at the beginning in the introduction so that the reader knows immediately,
what he is getting into with the topic of visual language, or should I write this topic as a concluding remark?
And as you can see, I have chosen the latter option.
The early bird catches the worm
Back in the day, I used to run after the „special light“ with the pack. The message of the image didn't matter. I didn't even know that such a thing existed. The main thing was that the light was extraordinary. So, get up early and snap the blue hour. Today I think, the early bird can just catch the worm, I haven't liked worms for a long time. Instead, I like the saying all the more: „Only the second mouse gets the cheese.“ Today I think, I only photograph the blue hour anymore if I want to visually express something with it.
Exceptional perspective
The second, very popular way for the mainstream to get attention is the attempt to adopt as unusual a perspective as possible. So I climbed under bridges and took my pictures. What this picture was supposed to express didn't matter to me. Nor to the viewers.
So mainstream!
Anyone who engages with the photographic theme of visual language risks consciously leaving the mainstream as a photographer or artist because they first renounce the usual kitsch and clichés.
- He certainly has a smaller audience. The usual „pretty pictures“ of the mainstream appeal to so many people because they are easy to understand, immediately evoke emotions, and conform to certain, familiar visual viewing habits.
- Whoever photographs their own taste and no longer prostitutes themselves no longer goes over so well with most people who only care for the usual, colorful „calendar pictures.“.
- The number of „pat on the back“ types is decreasing. Significantly. That's a good sign.
- Whoever no longer delivers what others expect of them automatically loses the broad masses as an audience.
- Anyone who wants or needs to make a living from photography initially sells less.
On the other side, he wins too.
- The experts, who are naturally well aware of this dilemma, greatly appreciate it when someone finally breaks ranks and has the courage standing by oneself and showing authenticity. This small group are considered true artists.
- The number of admirers is decreasing, but the bond of these few viewers with a genuine, authentic, strong personality is increasing significantly.
- Photographic artistic freedom is also increasing extremely. The dependence on the market is decreasing.
- Credibility is increasing, and with it the respect of like-minded people
Ultimately, every photographer has to decide for themselves: Do I want to become or be a „Udo Jürgens“ of visual language who actually says something visually, or some generic pop star who only hopes for a hit with „tra-la-la-la-la,“ no matter the cost, even if it means sacrificing their own self-respect.
Visual statement is local and temporary
For weeks this year, the „published opinion“ has been preoccupied with almost only one topic: the drought and the high temperatures. So today I went out and took a picture of the coolness and the clouds (with hope for rain).
This image appears predominantly local, as it shows the church tower of Wolfratshausen. And it is a temporary statement: Soon, as in every second half of August, the big cool-down will arrive, bringing rain and the annual certainty and disappointment: Summer is now finally over.
My simplification
Yes, I admit it: I made it much too easy for myself with all the examples.
- There was only an image with a line, ascending or descending. There was no other image content.
- There was only a picture with green. Nothing else.
- There was only a picture with laburnum,
- etc.
- A portrait is in the foreground for you.
- A landscape.
- A birthday.
- A resort.
- etc.
So you have completely different motives. Complex motives. For you, lines don't play the main role like they do for me. Colors don't either. And surfaces, of course, even less so.
And yet.
The examples shown here, with the elements of visual language that you have learned about in this encyclopedia, are correct. The only difference is that these elements appear in the background for you, recognizable only as side effects.
Nevertheless, you should pay attention to this when looking through the viewfinder.
- Portraits with descending lines are rather unfavorable. Unless you are photographing someone you do not like.
- Grey sky pictures from the holiday resort do not testify to summer, sun, relaxation, carefree ski fun, etc.
- Towering storm waves do not document idyllic swimming fun with your toddlers.
So pay attention to the little details on the top, bottom, left, and right of your main subject. They mean something. They speak visually to the viewers. These little details support or contradict your subject.
AI: The end of the „pretty pictures“?
The good thing about AI images is:
- I don't need to go out anymore. That works at 10:00 PM on my own PC as well.
- I no longer need equipment worth 5,000.00 euros.
- Any amateur can get the best, most beautiful pictures in seconds generate. And they do that, too. For free.
- Photo exhibitions featuring only „pretty pictures“ certainly have no future anymore.
- Mass-produced kitsch and clichés are finally a thing of the past.
- Travel now serves solely for personal edification. Pictures from the big wide world are a dime a dozen anyway.
- AI development is still in its infancy and continues exponentially and gets better.
And why is that a blessing for all of us?
- The essence of photography as Art form is strengthened.
- In the future, individual imagination and creativity will matter much more. Whether the image was created with a camera or with AI really doesn't matter anymore.
- In the future, the visual message counts. Individually. Thus, the person who also has something to say matters more and more. The technical implementation becomes less important.
- The question „Which story do I want to tell?“ is finally coming to the foreground.
- Pure documentary depiction of the world is increasingly becoming a primitive mass commodity.
- Well-known authentic photographers are in higher demand: Annie Leibovitz, etc.