The aim of the David duChemin book “Photographically Speaking” is to “introduce some key concepts in language in a way that is accessible as I can make it”. The language referred to is the language used to describe photographs so that some meaning can be gained from the elements that make up the photograph and the way in which the photographer has used those elements.

The book does this by first discussing the photographers intent - that is, what the photographer intended to express through this photograph, then by discussing what influences makes the photographer choose to express his vision in this way (his personal larger vision of the world being one). David acknowledges that this is not easy, and that many photographers will never do it, but that you will become a more satisfied photographer if you fully engage in the process of “making images”.

Following on from this are the elements the author wishes us to consider when we make an image - the frame of the photograph, the “depth”, the layers of impact we put in and a discussion of the “rules” and their place in making our images. This is all discussed with a view to making us more comfortable in talking about our images, and what we intended them to convey to the reader. There is a section in here that talks about how awkward we (as readers of photographs) are in starting to critique a photograph - we shuffle, we mumble, then someone inevitable says ”Well, I like it…” . If you have attended any such gatherings then you will instantly recognise this scenario.

The second part of the book is concerned with the “Visual Language” which is made up of the “elements” of all photographs (lines, colour, light, contrast, juxtaposition, repetition, moment etc.) and is rounded off by what decisions we make when we use these elements to realise our vision and convey our story to the reader of the image. Our decisions relate to the craft of photography - how we frame the image, image orientation and aspect ratio, the choice of lens, aperture, shutter speed, the point of view we adopt, the perspective we choose, how we balance elements within the frame and how we expose the image - and reflect earlier writings from David on the subject of craft.
(Check out the Craft & Vision web site - it is not called “craft” and “vision” for nothing!)

Part Three of the book treats us to a discussion of 20 Photographs made by the author. These discuss each photograph in terms of the language we have just been learning about, some more in depth than others. David walks us through his thinking while making the image, and then shows us how the resulting image expresses his intent through his vision, and what he hopes the reader will get from the image.

Overall, this is not an easy book. It doesn’t jolly you along with platitudes and an avuncular manner - it challenges you, it makes you think about why you pick(ed) up a camera and what you are trying to do with it. It will make you aware of the process of “making an image” and it will challenge you to improve your reasoning behind your choices in an image, and it will make you aware of the “reader” who will assess your image by applying their frame of reference to it.

Personally, I will read this book again ( and then again ) because, like Davids’ images there is a lot of depth that will reveal itself with further study.

Recommended.

Tags: review, photography, David duChemin