Shooting in context.

The fountain and neighbouring library in Chehalis, Washington.

While visiting Chehalis, Washington the other day, we came across a decorative fountain.  As fountains go, it was pleasant enough, but it lacked anything especially appealing.  Photographing it from a variety of viewpoints did not add much to its allure, but it became something very different when shot with its neighbouring library in the background.  Suddenly, it became much more provocative; in fact, it makes the shot.

That is the thing about subjects.  They may be able to stand alone but often are improved by including their surroundings.  The important thing in this thought is to understand that not just any surroundings will do.  It is well worth your time to look around and consider just how you want to capture something.  Context is everything.

In literature, context is often associated with the meaning of a word.  A single word, such as dove, will mean different things depending upon its use.  For example, it could be a bird, such as, “The white dove flew away.”  It could also be an action, as in, “The plane dove towards the ground.”  The word is defined by other words around it.  In a similar way, the subject in a photograph is defined through the relationship it has with its surroundings.

Now, this analogy only goes so far, as all do.  The premise remains the same though; find a subject you like and photograph it relative to its surroundings in such a way as to maximize its value.  This is true with people, things, events, and so on.  It is not just the subject which tells the story or gives value to the image; it is the way it is used in context to its surroundings.  

Like I said, context is everything.