Late Discoveries
It is interesting to me how often I find myself taking a photograph of something interesting without having any idea what it really is. This makes it all the more exciting when I discover at a later date exactly what I had been photographing in the first place.
I had this experience a few years ago when I was in Italy for a couple weeks. While walking near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, I stumbled upon an iron railing that had a large collection of padlocks attached to it. They were interlocked to form a cluster of quite a lot of padlocks. I wondered if perhaps they were left by people who didn’t want to carry a lock around all the time but needed it to lock up a bike or scooter, but that didn’t make any sense since there were no chains with these locks.
I later learned that these locks had been placed on the railing as a custom of love. The locks are intended to be a symbol of the commitment of two lovers, and it seems to have become quite a bit of a worldwide phenomenon. I had no idea this was the case when I took the photograph of the locks, but it certainly made the photo more meaningful once I knew the origins of the interesting “sculpture”.
More recently I have been using a photo of prayer sticks I captured in a cemetery in Tokyo, Japan, as part of my various workshops. Each time I’ve asked the students if anyone could read Japanese or knew someone who could, but to no avail.
Finally, I found someone (thanks, Gary!) who was able to get them translated. It turns out these sticks contained a Buddhist slogan and a wish for blessings upon the deceased. The experience I had during the time this photograph was taken was quite incredible, and now having a better understanding of the customs surrounding these objects makes what had already become one of my favorite photos all the more meaningful.
We often hear the advice (and good advice it is) to truly understand your subject when photographing. Sometimes, however, you discover subjects you didn’t anticipate. When you finally are able to learn more about the subject that inspired you to capture a photograph, the images become all the more meaningful.
Explore posts in the same categories: Philosophical, Photography
December 10th, 2009 at 7:00 am
HI Tim, i think you make a very important point in the above entry and it is something i will pass on to my students in future classes that i teach here at the high school photography program. In a way you took the above photos out of an initial attraction to the principles of art. The locks were sculptural with great texture and pattern. The sticks were repeating patterns with a strong directional composition. However, once you discovered the meaning behind these images they took on an increased value. Also it was interesting to me to see that one image was about love and the other about belief and blessings. Maybe there is no coincidence that you were drawn to these seemingly random photos. If one were to meditate upon them for a little while it would seem to me that perhaps they both represent two of the most important aspects of life, namely love and Belief in a higher power. Interestingly too is that love and belief can only exist in the world if there is faith. Consequently you took these two images on faith, knowing they held special value. You never questioned their power and loved them for what they were. Now you know that your faith paid off and the value of your images is great. I really appreciate your sharing this story with us. jerry eisner
December 14th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Upon occasion, I’ll go away from a workshop with something worthwhile - one from an Atlanta guy was also, ” understand your subject when photographing”. It can be so enriching. Like getting paid double, the beauty of the subject and understanding of it.