We often find ourselves chasing perfection, striving for flawless compositions and technically impeccable images. But what if there's more to capturing a moment than achieving technical mastery? What if embracing imperfection is the key to creating truly compelling photographs?
Coming to you from James Popsys, this thought-provoking video explores the concept of "fatigue of bright packaging" and its relevance to photography. Popsys delves into the idea that our constant exposure to highly polished and edited images, both in the media and on social media platforms, has led to a sense of detachment from reality. He argues that by striving for perfection in our own photography, we risk losing the authenticity and connection that draws viewers in.
Popsys uses his own recent work as examples, showcasing images where he has consciously chosen to retain elements that some might consider imperfections. He discusses the presence of distracting elements, such as poles or power lines, and how their inclusion can actually enhance the sense of realism and place within the photograph. He also explores the idea of "volume" in photography, suggesting that not every image needs to be a loud, attention-grabbing spectacle. Sometimes, quieter, more subtle compositions can be just as impactful.
This approach challenges the traditional rules of photography, encouraging us to question our assumptions about what makes a good photograph. By embracing imperfection and exploring different "volumes" in our work, we can create images that are more authentic, relatable, and ultimately more meaningful. Popsys' insights are a valuable reminder that photography is not just about technical proficiency, but also about personal expression and connection. By letting go of the need for perfection, we open ourselves up to new creative possibilities and allow our images to truly speak for themselves. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Popsys.
If “imperfection is the key to creating truly compelling photographs,” then I must have the most compelling photos of all time.
The guy in the video is trying to say something but there are various thoughts being expressed and it could be more focused. Ultimately he appears to be struggling with self-expression and following what the expectations of photographers, reviewers, and editors want one to do, i.e., take pretty pictures that pop. What does the herd want and should we all follow? I was once told that if I took the photographs I want to (which at times are quite different from what many people take), I would become lonely in the photography world. It reminds me of Roy Orbison's song "Only the Lonely." Or if you like poetry think of Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken." The poem ends with, "I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." Most photographers tread the beaten path, the one so well trampled that there is no grass or undergrowth left on it. Same photographs, same themes, even the vaunted golden hour, and the erased pole, etc. In a recent post on this site they even argued over whether photographers should declare the location of the photograph taken - so they could all follow the beaten path. Follow the rules, chaps and don't forget to keep your shoes well-polished! A perfectly levelled path - that is the perfectionism that the guy in the video is talking about - a boring and predictable path.
I haven't watched the video.
There was the fstoppers video about the trip to Japan. In it, the professional photographer set up the tripod for a single shot of a bay view of a skyline where they waited...and waited and waited and waited and waited.... for the perfect lighting. I thought WTF are three photographers standing around in a foreign country doing nothing but waiting for one photographer to get ONE photograph??? What a waste of time and money.
I would have been wandering around looking for other things, people or views to shoot and would have taken many photos. Photography is about exploring, observation and discovery, not about standing around all afternoon waiting for a single, perfect shot. (Plus, he spent many more hours sitting in front of his computer refining the photo anyway.)
You're describing a process that's more important to you. For other people, it's not the quantity of pictures captured or sights seen in a single day, but how many memorable ones we make. Waiting does have its own rewards for some people... lower blood pressure among others.
Hahaha! 🤣
(The joke, not your whole comment.)
If perfect photos are boring, can an imperfect photo be far behind? Or can an imperfect photo, arguably more realistic because of distractions and a blown-out highlight or two, be more compelling? That’s the essence of James’ video. James points to a podcast featuring a young musician by the name of Jacob Collier, a 29 year-old from London, traveling the world and living his dream performing before thousands of people. As to the tagline “The Fatigue of Bright Packaging” taken from the podcast, I was curious about the musician who made that statement and in what context, so I found the full-length interview on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rvDA3MARk) where Jacob and his two interviewers discussed, among other things, the subject of creativity. The comment about bright packaging was actually a very short clip; so short that I almost missed it. It was woven into his comments regarding the history and evolution of YouTube as an opportunity for musicians to show their stuff. I found myself interested in Jacob for another reason though… honestly, a new song or musician hasn’t really resonated with me since about 1980. I’ve often wondered why that is, or if there’s something wrong with me. It’s not like I’m living in a time warp. So I spent an afternoon watching the two-and-a-half hour video, stopping and replaying bits and pieces of the dialogue, while trying to understand his music and inspiration for creativity.
First and most important, Jacob is a highly energetic, sincere, thoughtful and expressive person. I can imagine he brings all of that and more to his concerts. But maybe that’s what’s so compelling about his music rather than just a particular note arranged here or there… the equivalent of a photographer’s compositional choices. His persona seems infectious. Maybe if we put the same excitement into making and speaking about our photographs, we’d get the same results regardless of how we incorporate technical ingredients. Keep in mind, however, that Jacob describes his meticulous effort devoted to video editing as a key part of his success. Intangibles in his music videos such as detail, sparkle, and controlling energy have a huge impact on his audience. I don’t know how he resolves perfection, but he probably didn’t get worldwide recognition for doing sloppy work. Where I suspect he diverges from our perception of the word perfection, as defined by artistic norms, is that he’s not governed by established rules and methods. Creativity is not discovered among a set of instructions. He’s a highly independent person, charting his own course, being open to new ways, happy accidents and a new direction at about any time. Jacob speaks extensively about feelings, noting that they’re the underlying foundation of creative efforts. If he were a photographer, I doubt that he’d write a book about composition, even though he’d be fully aware of the concepts, and most importantly, flexible to the point of using them differently as the scene before him unfolds. In my opinion, that’s the true nature of art.
I myself am a bit troubled by labels: good, great, bad, compelling, boring, perfect, imperfect. Not that there aren't valid emotional responses contained in those words, but we throw them around as if they’re universally applicable to a single work of art or artist. They’re not. The greatest artists in the history of the world have had their work critiqued, dissected and labeled to the point of exhaustion, without agreement. Jacob speaks to the idea of success: “The question I find more interesting when it comes to success is: It’s not how many people have I reached… it’s of the people I’ve reached, how many of those have I moved?” He goes on to advise… be honest and sincere in what you make, say what matters to you, and you will find your people. I believe the same can be said to photographers… follow your heart in deciding what’s right for you, and you will find your own identity and style of work, and find your audience. That’s the real message Jacob is delivering… not whether we should remove the power line from our photo or not. Get out of your own way and create something.
With the emergence of AI Image Generators capable of crafting flawlessly composed images, you've prompted me to reconsider, leading me to the conclusion that imperfections might just contribute to the authenticity of an image. It's a notion that could spark a new trend.
I look at just about every editor's pick here and think, that could be easily generated by AI.
That's because most are easy on the eye, follow the well laid down rules that are common in photography, and formulaic. Boring as the title states.