Photography and the Art of Seeing

Photography Isn’t Just What You See, It’s What You Feel

Photography and the art of seeing what’s in front of you. Right? I mean you take the camera out, point it at what is in front of you and take the picture.

But what if I told you that photography isn’t about seeing what’s in front of you; it’s about seeing what’s inside you.

No, I’m not talking about X-Rays. That’s a completely different kind of field of picture taking. I’m still talking about you and me, grabbing the camera and heading out to explore.

Let me explain.

What Does It Mean to “See Inside”?

Let’s say we both grab our camera and go out on the same walk. We head out onto the streets, through downtown, and into the park. When we return home we are going to have a bunch of pictures but are we going to have the same pictures?

Of course not.

Now some of this will be dictated by opportunity. You just happened to be there at the right moment when the man dressed in a chicken costume came stumbling out of the bar and made a big scene in traffic.

But, much of it also depends on how we perceive the world, shaped by our inner thoughts, emotions and past experiences.

The Role of Personal Perspective in Photography

If you are feeling rather melancholy on this particular day that we set out on this same journey you may come back with images that reflect your state of mind.

Maybe you’re looking for that puddle, or gloomy looking tree behind a dark cloudy sky. Maybe your drawn to that sad forlorn person sitting on the bench while I’m more focused on the architecture.

How we see the world, rather it be through a state of joy, nostalgia, or pain can greatly influence what we choose to see.

No two photographers see the same scene the same way because perspective is everything.

For example, let’s say I live near this walk while you had to travel halfway across the world. Obviously, your perspective will likely differ from mine because everything is new and exciting to you. Meanwhile, same old shit for me.

Our unique perspectives, what we notice, and how we choose to capture it will all differ because photography is more than documentation, it’s a powerful form of self-expression.

All those life experiences you had, your childhood memories, and cultural background all contributed to who you are today, and ultimately, who you will be as a photographer.

Framing the shot, what lighting we choose. Every decision is actually a small unique piece of who we are as photographers.

Let’s explore how the creative process allows us to turn what’s inside into a visual story that is unique to us.

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The Creative Process: Photography as Self-Expression

When we go out with our cameras, we should ask ourselves: What story am I trying to tell? What emotion or idea do I want to convey?

Once you know you can look inside your photographers bag of tricks and decide on how to shape that vision. How we frame the shot, choice of angle, vantage point, lighting, and even the editing process all play a role in storytelling.

Let’s say you’re feeling nostalgic for your college years. You walk around campus, capturing those old, weathered dorm building. It’s golden hour too, perfect for that warm light that seems to evoke a sense of time passing.

Next, you set up your tripod near a busy walkway, remembering the restless energy of student life. To capture that feeling, you focus on the blur of students rushing by, using motion and contrast to convey movement and chaos.

Why stop there? You spent countless hours at the laundromat as a student, so you include it in your collection. You place your old college sweatshirt on a table in the foreground with rows of washing machines and dryers stretching behind it. The small detail adds a sense of place and personal history.

Then there’s the bar. You remember it well. The place where so many nights ended in a blur. This time, you shoot from a low angle and tilt the frame slightly to create a feeling of instability. You know what I’m talking about. That unsteady walk home after a long night.

By now, you’re starting to see the big picture. This isn’t just a series of random shots. It’s a collection that tells a personal story. Every creative decision reflects a piece of you.

Do you strip away color and shoot in black and white to focus on raw emotion?

Do you embrace bold, saturated tones to heighten excitement and intensity?

Even your lens choice matters. Are you going for that up close intimate shot or that wide shot that pulls in the entire scene?

Every choice you make shapes the story.

In the end, photography isn’t just about what’s in front of the lens. It’s about using your camera to reveal what’s inside you.

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