In the Quiet Space

Last fall I attended the annual ACP (Atlanta Celebrates Photography) Portfolio Review to present a body of my documentary work to gallery owners, photo editors, and curators to actively seek constructive feedback from seasoned reviewers and to create some new relationships. Like many of you, sharing words with my images comes really naturally for me. I might write about the story behind the image to give you a sense of what you can't see, or I might share thoughts that ran through my mind during or after the process of making the image. It's my way of processing what I see and how it makes me feel.

But what surprised me during the portfolio review, was how natural it felt to talk through the images as I moved through my prints with each reviewer. Each image stirred up a collection of thoughts that simply had to come out. I wasn't even aware of how much my mouth moved until Sasha Wolf, my favorite reviewer of the day, stopped me. "You know, you don't have to say so much about the images," she said. "They really speak for themselves."

I think about this statement often. She was right. Much of the power of photography is in the silence. The quiet space between the viewer and his/her personal experience with your image.

Why don't you share an experience with us today – one that requires no words.

Comments

[Marcie]

http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1057

[Elizabeth Harper]

Yesterday, I captured these images on a walk with few words, but those in the title mean the world to me.

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/all-this-and-each-other-too/

[alison]

hello monday

http://mettaville.blogspot.com/2010/01/hello-monday.html

[cdscott]

It's hard not to say anything...

http://courtneysablogger.blogspot.com/2010/01/kid-for-day.html

[Samantha Dutcher]

http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/397096.html

[Mama DB]

ooo, love this photo! reminds me of the flights we took over to England, as a kid.

Here's mine:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23829646@N02/3860319728/in/photostream

[solstice letters]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brightandblithe/4303690116/in/pool-solsticeletters

[Heather]

The first photo in this blog entry needs no words . . .

http://mamamutterings.blogspot.com/2010/01/mud-adventures.html

but its hard not to add something! Sheer joy and exuberance.

[Kizz]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31403417@N00/4301942241/

[lucy]

your great photo brought back memories of many cross-country flights for me, too!

in a series of toy photos i created, i was amazed that they conveyed emotion all by themselves.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/4167153253/in/set-72157622671112176/

[Catherine V]

http://www.littlebirdphoto.com/personal-work/the-magically-appearing-ma/3626133

[Beryl]

remembering my angel

http://bellarose-photography.com/

[Diane]

http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/?p=1496

[gonzomama]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/4151019679/in/photostream/

[beth]

winter is silent and speaks for itself.....


http://moredoors.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-hope-you-dance.html

[jakki]

Fun times

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/4225462143/sizes/o/

[JoLyn]

http://www.ayearofhappyphotos.com/2010/01/after-the-storm.html

[erika]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/onemoreplease/4264821476/

[Michele]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michele_denotter_photography/4274484660/

[Amy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickersonphotos/4276556953/

[Darlene]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whimsicalyearsphotography/4304496292/

[Maegan]

I agree so much! And sometimes I think it's best if we allow our photos to mean individual things to individual people.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbeasoap/?savedsettings=4303848325#photo4303848325

Sometimes we can limit perception my defining too much.
Happy Monday!

[Lauren]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/4157900185/

[Trude]

I usually err on the side of lots of words too. I've always wanted to do a shot like this one, and finally noticed the light was just right for it yesterday morning! I think it speaks for itself: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4301917726/

[Sara]

I've been mulling over a similar idea recently. I'm finding that I want to let some pictures speak for themselves but, when I do, I wonder if they say what I think they're saying. I write and erase caption after caption while I'm wondering if maybe there shouldn't be one this time.

http://indigoamethyst.blogspot.com/2010/01/are-words-needed.html

[Jade Sheldon]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmsheldon/4219058583/

[Bostongaljm]

I love this post. No words necessary... :)

http://bostongirlontheverge.blogspot.com

[Secret Agent Mama - Mishelle Lane]

While I did put words (lyrics really, from a rap song none-the-less) in the title, these images could have stood alone and would have let the viewer know that it was--indeed--a good day:

http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2010/01/19/good_da/

[Kate @ Little House]

relationship. No words needed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30297021@N02/4260398971/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30297021@N02/4304867415/

[Diana Dettwyler]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3814896&id=699412492

[Tammy]

Wow! Love the amazing photos everyone has shared!