Blog 21: Exit Interview

My essential question is, what is the most important element to go into a memorable digital photograph? I would like to point out that art is subjective and everyone has their own preferences as to what we see fit and what passes as quality while other methods are seen viewed as outdated. In my research, my best answer is leaning in favor towards the uses of color. Color is often times associated with feelings and biases. In our culture, red is a warning, danger, and excitement. In others, it is the symbol of life. In my book PAINT Room to Room by CHIC Simple, is is mentioned that in our culture, white is pure and clean. It follows up by stating that white is often a symbol for mourning in many Asian cultures. This perceived association of emotion linked to color will persuade my audience to connect to what I intended in the image. Most of the time vivid and flashy colors remain in people's memories longer than a dull colored image would.

In the beginning, I searched through books, some of which are works of CHIC Simple and Exposure Magazine, and odd articles I would find on the internet. This was to gain footing in the vast expanse of knowledge that comes with researching an art form. Once I understood where I was going with color, I made more direct searches towards my goal of answering my essential question in the clearest way possible. The majority of my sources were online articles and eBook sections. The world of photography is constantly evolving  and growing so nobody publishes real books. Information is here today, gone tomorrow, and we are already living in a world where the things we learned today are things of the past.

At one point I was slumped. I could not think of any answers beside color that I could appropriately answer my essential question with. I made a 180 and went from photography to the brain and its functions. This gave me light to what memory is really all about. Which is things you are already familiar with, things that ingrained into your mind since day one.

I wouldn't necessarily think that there are two resources that helped me extensively. All of my research and the people that contributed to their existence deserve recognition. Even though this would never reach the knowledge of anyone that contributed to my learning, except maybe my mentor, thank you all so much for the help. I would like to bring up Henry Molaison who's amygdala and hippo campus were ignorantly removed. He is the reason why neuroscience exists. I do have to say that "What Makes a Visualization Memorable", a collaboration between MIT and Harvard students, and "Visual Design: Using Color in Photography" by David Peterson, a photography expert and teacher, were the most informative, extensive, and all around helpful sources to go towards the answering of my essential question.