Shoot the Emotion!

If I was to give myself some professional New Years resolutions, this is one of them.

“Shooting the emotion” weighs heavier to viewers than cool, graphic images. Using rad light and a bad-ass compositions, don’t cut to the core. They’re just eye candy.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOOOOOVE eye candy. When I look over my work, I’m kinda predisposed to it. It’s easier for me to make.

My friend Monica Lopossay — three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee (and she’s only 33!) is waaaay more in tune to people’s emotions. Her photos make viewers feel something. Her most important work makes you “want to slit your wrists,” …her words.

Emotions are relatable. They transcend cultural norms.

They’re also iconic.

Sure, this photo is really just Jess upset that I’m busy taking her picture instead of unlocking the back gate. She’s cold and wants to get in the car. The truth in this photos is that the cold is making her more upset than I am.

But I’ve seen this face before. I’ve upset her. I’m sure anyone who’s been in a relationship has hurt their loved one before.

I don’t have the courage, or maybe I’m smart enough not, to pick up the camera during those moments.

But that’s kinda the point I’m making. I think it’s safe to assume everyone on this planet has been on the opposite end of this kind of stare.

It’s relatable. …and therefore, it’s powerful.

So, 2010! the year to shoot the emotion!

Who’s with me?

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 at 2:30 pm. It is filed under Friends, Other People Are Awesome, too!, PORTRAITS, Photos, What's New With Me? and tagged with , , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

4 Responses to “Shoot the Emotion!”

  1. Ben says:
    January 3, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    Don has a recent post over at Lighting Essentials called, “Are you Using Emotional Lighting?”:

    http://www.lighting-essentials.com/are-you-using-emotional-lighting/

    It’s a similar thought, getting away from the technical, and pursuing the emotional. It’s about not letting the tools get in the way of making great images. Your thought follows a similar vein. In some of the images that move me most, I haven’t given any thought to what is going on technically, I just connect with the image, because someone took a photograph in a powerful moment.

    Thanks for the reminder.
    Ben

  2. Matt Roth says:
    January 4, 2010 at 11:05 am

    Hey Ben. Thanks for the link. It was a good read.

    Your post and link are the inspiration for my next post. Thanks bud!

  3. lopossay says:
    January 5, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Just to clarify and put this in context, just in case:)
    my quote
    “I have hilarious pix and stuff that makes you wanna slit your wrist…I see them as the same. two parts that complete the whole.”
    ~m

  4. Matt Roth says:
    January 5, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    yes yes yes. of course. Monica has funny photos too. Like I said, she’s tapped into the emotions of whoever she’s shooting and of the situation.

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