| MONOMAD | What a photograph doesn’t say

A photograph speaks only up to a point; the rest is filled in by the viewer, drawing from their own experience or imagination. Yet a photographer can skillfully tell a story through a series of images—whether presented as testimony or as art—depending on what they wish to convey.

Supporting the story with a brief caption or piece of text can be very helpful. A title, too, can offer a certain amount of information.

What have we here? Three photographers caught in two key moments—observation and execution—and perhaps one of them is telling the story of how the other two tell, or intend to tell, their stories. What you can’t see is what the crouching one is photographing, rather awkwardly, I might add. Nor can you see the thoughts of the one gazing off into the distance. And you can’t really be sure that the shadow carrying a camera is me… not until I say, “Hey, yes, that’s me.” So it’s a mysterious photo, really…

😃

And there’s more to uncover if you’re observant… feel free to drop in the comments what this photo tells you, and what it doesn’t.

And now we’re about to reveal the photographer’s model who… oh! Vital information that’s not in the photo:

The day before, when I realised I’d left my SD cards at home (in the side pocket of the little bag where I keep my Akaso action camera) I nearly had a heart attack. Thankfully, I had a micro SD in my phone, and one of those two photographers lent me an adapter…

Who do you think it was? If it hadn’t been for him, you wouldn’t be looking at these photos—nor those first ones I shared of the fantastic clouds.

By the way, the model, mind you, I never heard him meow while I was there. 😁

This series of three photos feels absolutely beautiful to me… and the first one, for instance, is one of those moments when you know that if you don’t capture the image—however you can—you simply won’t have it, unless you ask the person to pose for you. You know? I don’t like doing that. I never do. I’ve seen many photographers construct their shots, and I’m not saying it’s not valid, but it doesn’t work for me. I think I experience photography as a challenge: to be there and catch the moment as it unfolds… as my body and soul feel it, and as the moment allows me to respond. I’ve missed many images because the moment passed—and that’s fine. I grieve a little, then I smile. I tell myself it wasn’t meant for me, and I accept it, just like I do with other things in life.

People tend to pose for portraits…

But I like to capture the moment when they stop posing.

This little goat is the sweetest thing in the world. I gave her all the cuddles in the world—and then some. They say she was born with a defect… you can tell she has trouble walking, her hind legs don’t quite work right. I even heard someone say she might be mentally slow… I had to laugh, because all I saw was that she was different. Her mother rejected her, but the young man who milks the goats took care of her and fed her with a bottle to save her. She’s now one of the hosts at La Finquita del Arte. When you see her, you’d think she’s a dog—maybe because she grew up around them and picked up their ways. That’s probably why some people say she’s “slow.” I’d sit in a chair, and suddenly she’d be lying beside me. She also liked licking my shoes. Haha… she really is a beauty to behold. I loved her. That tender memory came home with me from the Photo Safari. Here’s the link to the event report that aired on our national television, thanks to our colleagues at Estudio Angerona.

And this is my entry for the #Monomad Challenge. Thank you for reading all the way through.