Words and Photographs
by Alec Soth
I think that’s one of the hardest things to do – combine words with photographs.
But I would certainly try it.
_Robert Frank
Part of my ongoing education as a photographer is to try and figure out how words and photographs can work together. For this assignment, print one of your photographs on one half of a sheet of paper. On the other half, write something about the picture, The key is to write something that doesn’t destroy the magic of the photograph. Write in a straightforward way. Do not use adjectives or fancy words. Do not explain the picture; enhance it.
Once you are done, fold the piece of paper in half. Is the picture better without the writing? If so, repeat the assignment with different photographs/words until you’ve made a combination that is more than the sum of its parts.
You can carry out the assignment by printing or directly on digital/photoshop.
by Alec Soth
I think that’s one of the hardest things to do – combine words with photographs.
But I would certainly try it.
_Robert Frank
Part of my ongoing education as a photographer is to try and figure out how words and photographs can work together. For this assignment, print one of your photographs on one half of a sheet of paper. On the other half, write something about the picture, The key is to write something that doesn’t destroy the magic of the photograph. Write in a straightforward way. Do not use adjectives or fancy words. Do not explain the picture; enhance it.
Once you are done, fold the piece of paper in half. Is the picture better without the writing? If so, repeat the assignment with different photographs/words until you’ve made a combination that is more than the sum of its parts.
You can carry out the assignment by printing or directly on digital/photoshop.