Sunday Edition: Manfred Mueller

PHOTOSNACK #569

Every Sunday, I contact photographers previously featured on PHOTOSNACK and ask them to send me their spontaneous thoughts, observations, reflections, or advice.

Today, I am sharing the message I received from Manfred Mueller.

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Manfred Mueller

Photographers tend to concentrate on two aspects of photography: the technical aspects and on composition. While both are important, even when extremely well done, they can still result in an uninteresting image. The one thing that takes images to the next level is when they made a strong emotional connection with the viewer.

I call this “Made you stop and look!”

I remember being at a vernissage at a gallery where a number of my works were on display. I remember watching the people attending and noticed a pattern when people became engaged with my work. They would:

1. Stop and spend time looking at the pieces of art.

2. Come back for another look (or two).

3. Bring someone back to look at work and point things out to them.

Having someone that engaged in the work is a good sign that my goal had been achieved. Engagement is what we are looking for when we present our work to photographic judges, magazine publishers and gallery curators.

So how do we create an image that has that level of impact on a viewer?

There are four key factors we as photographers need to strive for in their work:

Mood – The image should fire emotional trigger like joy, fear, anxiety or sadness.

Impact – the force that draws the viewer into the image. This gets the viewer to spend time looking at your work.

Subject – A subject that is familiar, yet different. A different point of view or unusual perspective of that subject are approaches to use.

Imagination – A subject or interpretation of the subject that is unusual or innovative. Some or all of the effect can be achieved in post-processing.

This connection with their audience is something that the masters have all achieved. If we want our images to stand out from the rest of the field, it is a skill we must master.

Manfred Mueller was featured in PHOTOSNACK #551.

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Sunday Editions connect you with photographers whose work you previously explored through PHOTOSNACK.

I want to reveal some authentic parts of the people behind the cameras. I don't ask them any specific questions. I ask them to share whatever comes to mind when they think about YOU, the newsletter readers. It makes their responses genuine and personal.

Until next time,
Tomasz