As photographers we are artists, so what we display on our own walls, in our own living spaces, should be of paramount importance to us. What do you display for others to see?
It’s nice to think that we are insulated from the outside world, that we are pursuing art for our own innate pleasure in what we find interesting or beautiful. Indeed, some photographers are cocooned from what the outside world thinks of them. Vivian Maier never displayed her photos, instead placing all of her energies in to taking them. Ultimately however, most of us care, to some extent, what others think. That’s why we enter competitions, post on Instagram, or collate a daily portfolio on 500px. It’s about the highs of self-gratification in showing off our best and greatest photos, and the lows of crappy comments, few votes, and the better work of other photographers!
One place where you are completely in control of both the space and the viewers, is your own home. You decide what you want to display, where it will go, and who you will allow to view it. Given the media focus over the last few years for printing photos, rather than simply posting them online, there is an increasing sense that we should be creating a physical legacy of our imagery, such that it isn’t lost to future generations. Are you printing your imagery and, if you are, have you placed it on display?
When I say on display, I don’t mean cheap 6×4″ prints sat on your kitchen worktop showing Poppy, your beloved hamster. Rather, have you produced canvases, acrylics, fabric wall hangings, or framed gallery quality prints? Are they hanging on your walls, proudly displayed as your work, crediting you as the artist?
Photographs are living entities that transcend the individual pixels they are composed of. Breathe life in to them by cherishing and nurturing them, allowing them to grow in to the artworks they deserve to be. Sometimes they burst forth in blazing glory, while other times they need some tender care to allow them grow in to something beautiful. A single photo may be the combined result of a 100 previous shots and ten hours of post-production. Edward Weston famously used an f/240 lens which required 6 hour exposure times for his pepper series.
Have you printed and displayed your art? Answer the poll below to register your vote and post a picture in the comments below to show how they are displayed.
Lead Image courtesy of PIRO4D via Pixabay, used under Creative Commons.