Photos with Meaning

I decided to pick a couple images from my photo essay to post this week. I love fall. I'm not sure why but I love being outdoors and watching the leaves change colors. The colors of fall are definitely appealing and one of my favorite thing about the season. As I was putting together my photo essay I kept remembering my family's fall picnic. I told my husband that I wanted to continue the tradition and he thought it was a good idea.

My initial experience with these photos was positive. It got me thinking of all the photographic possibilities fall has to offer. As I thought of pictures I jumped to frames and color and how they would look on the walls in bedrooms and the living room in my home. I rekindled my love for photography. I enjoy taking pictures and framing my work for people to see. The pictures above gave me a sense of peace and rest. Fall is a time of change and nature is getting ready to settle down for the winter. I wanted people to experience the beautiful colors and imagine the cool air brushing past their nose and ears.

As this process and excitement went on I thought of what this meant. How could I analyze the situation and media? How could I not! Media is a huge part of my life and has been ever since I can remember. I reflected on why I like to take pictures and it's importance in describing me. I particularly like photography because I could focus on specific element of my subjects. I could show off certain parts that were visually appealing and I could hide others.

I loved the way I felt after taking the perfect picture. I wanted others to feel this feeling so I would share the photo. Sometimes I wouldn't get the reaction I wanted. I realized this was because the feeling became part of the moment and state of mind. If people have clear minds and unbiased thoughts then they can get quite a bit out of photographs (or any media for that matter).

I think this would be an interesting topic for the classroom. This could turn into a fun activity with critical discussion at the end. The teacher could divide the class into groups and give each group a camera. The students would go around the school building and the school yard taking pictures. The teacher could preface the activity by telling the students to take pictures of thinks that are emotionally appealing or give no preface at all. Each would have interesting and unique results.

When the students returned the teacher could show the photographs on a projector and ask the photographer why they took the picture and how it made them feel. I think encouraging the students to think about why and give concrete answers can get the imaginative juices flowing. An optional homework assignment could be to have everyone bring back a photograph they took ready to explain to the class why they took it and what emotions, if any, they were trying to portray.