This past school year I have been taking photography class. In this class we study the different types of photography and techniques we could use to make our photographs "unique" like aperture, shutter speed, and focusing. Mr. Martin would often use power points showing examples of photography that would help us get inspiration for the upcoming assignments.
While watching one of these power points this image popped out to me. Unlike the others, I couldn't tell what the message behind this photo was for. It stumped me. Why was this man grinning with such seriousness surrounding him? And why was everybody staring at him in the first place? There were a million questions I wanted to figure out in this image but I knew I would never get the answers to.
Over time I have learned to like these kinds of pictures that let the imagination wander and not having to know an exact answer. I enjoy this photograph so much because aside from being pretty humorous in my opinion, there are no right or wrong ways to interpret this picture. When you look at it there is no simple reasoning to why this young man is smiling. It also struck me when I first saw it because oddly enough I felt a connection to him. It was like seeing myself in a situation where I was supposed to be acting serious or solemn and all of a sudden I think of something funny that happened to me the day before and I can't help but laugh to myself.
Over time I have learned to like these kinds of pictures that let the imagination wander and not having to know an exact answer. I enjoy this photograph so much because aside from being pretty humorous in my opinion, there are no right or wrong ways to interpret this picture. When you look at it there is no simple reasoning to why this young man is smiling. It also struck me when I first saw it because oddly enough I felt a connection to him. It was like seeing myself in a situation where I was supposed to be acting serious or solemn and all of a sudden I think of something funny that happened to me the day before and I can't help but laugh to myself.
The man grinning in the picture and the reaction from the couple to the side of him create a mystery. The gestures of these people make the situation apparent and it is up to the people viewing this photo to come up with the story that took place after the photograph had been taken. Though this idea of "making up your own story" might be frustrating to some, I was intrigued and delighted with the fact that I myself could figure out my own meaning to this image because if you are always handed information with no questioning then what's the purpose?
