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Wow at first glance

I was wondering what are the criteria that attract your attention at first when you look at a photograph, before you start analysing it. The emotions it triggers in you, the colours, the technical skills? I suppose the subject has been already discussed but I can't find it :-/

12 comments

jazzie It's mostly about colors and composition, I think!

Urszula Stachowicz For me it is definitely color. Especially the one that stands out :) Then I'd say: idea, light, composition...

Ian Prince Intersesting topic. Yeah, there's definitely something about the "gut reaction" one has when first seeing a photo, the emotion it conveys without analysis. One thing I try and do is to make the photo as visually "readable" as possible. Good choice of colours and composition help of course, but that the photo is sub-consciously and instantly understandable is something I strive for. Not that more mysterious and intriguing photos can also work (and can often be much better for it) but that's more about learning to break the "rules".

NatZ It is to go beyond the "beautiful" concept that is often linked with perfection. Perfection can be really satisfying but touching the soul is by far more interesting. I think that's what makes the difference. What we all (I guess) would love to do.

Marta Tomaszewska I'm easy - I like "nice" photos ;-) "clear", with harmony in composition, strong points, color contrast or even totally opposite - calm colors or bw, in overall photos that are feeding my need of beauty in this world. Mostly. Because good street or repo pointing important aspects will also draw my attention, although they usually aren't "pretty".
And mountains. Mountains have +10 to gain my attention ;-)
I don't like photography which is ugly without specific reason, like only to be different or pretend to be art. But I'm an engineer, I discussed this topic many times with my friends involved in art and although we understand each other, we cannot feel the same ;-)

Viola Kuniej good topic! for me: 1) surprising approach to the subject 2) emotions that photography evokes in me 3) conscious breaking of rules 4) playing with color and frame. sharpness - never (but I'm weird)

vera For me a photo whose point attracts the eye without much disruption around is very attractive at first glance, the minimalism is always inviting for its clarity of intention. But to make last the love at first sight, I need to have interesting content too that touches me. I like originality, I like to be surprised! I like beauty! I like sense or even learn something... and so on.., but I also believe that our eye is not neutral. Our gaze carries with it our experiences, our own sensitivity that emotionally color an image. I could see the same with the painting, the one who looks projects a lot of himself in the picture !

NatZ That's the part we can not control in art, I think.
Why we do or don't like a piece of art at first glance is part of ourselves, a mix of our knowledge, sensitivity, life history, etc. I agree with you.
Afterwards, we can analyse and like something we didn't like at first or, on the contrary, dislike after a second thought.
To me first glance is a gut thing. An emotion/feeling before a thought. Not right, not wrong.

vera Exactly! I think the same! One day a painter said to me that there is different publics. Some will love you and another won't be touched by your work. No matter! Do what you love! ;)

Shawn I started with a phone, so I concentrated only on composition and subject for so long. Now I can learn color and light, but out of habit, I still work on composition first. When I see other people's work, I notice composition first and still think it's very important. But emotionally, I like light first, then subject.

Kateli I like lines, perspective, bright colors and saturated shots. I like it when it's a pure photo right out of the camera and then I also love the filters that some of you use. The point of view is also important and the originality too.

Darlene K The colours and if the photo tells an actual story. Simple portraits just don't do it for me anymore. I love portraits where something is happening. Thus the reason I love conceptual photography