Creativity Anonymous

Metal. Glass. A camera is made up of a few simple elements, but photographers can use it to stir a large emotional response. I wind the film and look through the lens. I’ve carefully composed my shot. I envision the finished photo in my mind, the scene and colors laid out perfectly.

The seemingly normal things in life interest me. A cloudy sky, buildings on the left, and a single autumn tree silhouetted against the sky, perfectly balanced. I focus the lens, slightly squeezing on the shutter release. Ka klunk, the shot is exposed. By capturing these moments on film, I can provide viewers a window into my experience. I try to imbue my photos with the emotion I’m feeling at that moment. To capture emotion visually, I’ve developed knowledge about photographic effects that can draw emotion. If the photo is of a busy street, my photo will convey the hustle and bustle, the movement, the chaotic blend of colors and people and clothing.

Capturing the photo is half of the process, development is the other half. Film development is a time consuming process that requires precision. Various factors, such as timing and temperature, have to be accurate. When the photo emerges from the chemical bath, seeing the image I had visualized makes the...