While many of us may think a photo is a photo, there are actually several types of photography. While you may have heard of food photography, lifestyle photography, product photography, and perhaps creative design photography, have you heard of conceptual photography? Conceptual photography seems to be one of two things, either it occupies a playing field of its own, or it is vaguely defined and blends in with all other types of photography. However, conceptual photography is a style of photography in and of itself. So, what is conceptual photography?
What the Title Says
Conceptual photography is exactly what the title indicates, it is a photograph about a concept. Conceptual photos have a message to them. It can be an emotional message, a political message, social commentary, etc., but the message is not explicit. Think poetry vs prose. Prose tells you exactly what is happening in a story or situation. Poetry, on the other hand, is more abstract, and can be subjective, allowing each person to take away something different from it, or objective.
Symbols
One way to deliver an abstract message is by using symbols. Symbols can be used to represent:
- Moods
- Ideas
- Situations
- History
- Movements
- Theories
- Hope
- Feelings
- And more
Objective photographs: An objective photograph is one that is meant to be interpreted the same by all people regardless of their unique experiences, thoughts, beliefs, or feelings. In this case, universal symbols that are interpreted the same by everyone are used, i.e., red heart, green clovers, a dollar bill.
Subjective photographs: Subjective photographs are those intended to be interpreted by the viewer according to their individual thoughts, feeling, and experiences. In such cases, more ambiguous symbols, those that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, would be used to produce a myriad of different feelings for different viewers.
ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:
Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas, TX, studio for more than 20 years. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75226. Contact our office at (214) 746-6336 or email Doug at doug.davis@d2studios.net.