More Than a Rock, 2nd Edition

The Educated Audience13

The more knowledge (including technical, psychological, historical, and personal) that a viewer brings to a photograph, the richer will be his experience.

—Minor White

Much writing about art describes the skills and creativity of artists, but the view in the other direction is often neglected. Appreciation of art—getting the most out of experiencing art as a viewer—also involves some skill and knowledge, an investment of time and attention, and an honest willingness to understand and to be moved by the work. While many photographers rely on easily digestible aesthetics, more complex, abstract, or nuanced work may not always accomplish its intended effect, as it often requires of an audience a degree of emotional maturity: ...