Emotional resonance can elevate a piece from merely aesthetically pleasing to something profoundly moving. This resonance often arises from the artist’s own emotional connection to their work and their ability to translate these feelings into their medium, whether it’s a painting, sculpture, or digital art. This concept underscores the idea that the power of art lies not just in technical skill or visual appeal, but in its capacity to connect with the viewer on an emotional and human level.
My Insights
But in addition I say a unique insight into the intersection of emotions and art, especially in the realm of photography, is the concept of “psychological framing.” This is a technique I use all the time. This goes beyond the technical aspects of framing a shot; it involves framing a subject in a way that captures and communicates the underlying psychological or emotional state. This technique allows the viewer to not only see but also feel the subject’s state of mind or the emotional context of the scene. It’s about creating a visual narrative that resonates on a psychological level, thereby deepening the viewer’s engagement and emotional response to the artwork. This approach can transform a photograph from a mere representation of reality into a powerful conduit of human experience.
Let me give you the lowdown on this whole “psychological framing” thing in photography. See, it’s not just about where you point your camera; it’s about capturing the vibe, the emotion, the story behind what you’re shooting.
Here is my photo of a butterfly on a zinnia flower. The butterfly is a Monarch butterfly, which is known for its bright orange and black wings. The zinnia flower is a bright pink color with yellow and orange highlights.
I captured the beauty and delicate nature of the butterfly in his photo. The close-up perspective allows us to see the intricate details of the butterfly’s wings, as well as the delicate way it is perched on the flower. The bright colors of the butterfly and the flower stand out against the dark background, making the image even more eye-catching.
The emotion that is captured in the image is one of peace and tranquility. The butterfly seems to be at rest, and the colors of the image are soft and muted. The overall impression is one of serenity and beauty.
This is about getting deep into the soul of your subject. You’re not just snapping a picture; you’re telling their tale, showing their feelings. It’s like you’re giving the viewer a ticket straight into the heart of the scene. When you nail this, you’re not just handing over a photo, you’re handing over an experience, an emotion.
You know, after 35 years behind the lens, I’ve seen plenty of technically perfect shots that feel as flat as a pancake. But when you frame a shot with emotion? That’s when you strike gold. It’s not just about the rule of thirds or lighting; it’s about feeling the pulse of the moment and letting it guide your shot. That’s the real secret sauce in great photography.
It is widely thought that the capacity of artworks to arouse emotions in audiences is a perfectly natural and unproblemmatic fact.
https://iep.utm.edu/art-and-emotion/
According to By Dr Ella Moeck, Dr Elise Kalokerinos, Dr Peter Koval and Dr Katie Greenaway, University of Melbourne, “Art changes hearts and minds. It opens us to new ideas, challenges our biases and moves us on a deep emotional level. This puts artists at the coalface of revolution, stoking the feelings that fuel social change.”
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/being-open-to-emotion-in-art
Did you ever ask how feelings and emotions play a crucial role in photography. The video below in the footnotes emphasizes that creating impactful images is not about having the best equipment or the most exotic locations, but about infusing photos with feeling. The author discusses how even familiar subjects can evoke strong emotional responses and challenges photographers to emotionally connect with their subjects. He also provides insights into how different technical aspects like aperture and composition can convey feelings, and suggests focusing on subjects that evoke personal emotions to enhance the depth of photographs.1
Footnotes
- https://youtu.be/TA-fwrlIQg4?si=mF5vcMA9VxMRkuo3 ↩︎
