Science for the Curious Photographer, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 18 The Creation and Appreciation of Art in Photography

 

 

What people find beautiful is not arbitrary or random but has evolved over millions of years of hominid sensory, perceptual, and cognitive development.

—MICHAEL S. GAZZANIGA

Everything the visual system does is based on (such) educated guesswork.

—V. S. RAMACHANDRAN AND S. BLAKESLEE

 

 

 

18.1 What Is a Good Photograph?

To most casual camera users, photography provides documentation of people and events. Photographs “save” memories and are usually judged by their content. Did the photograph capture a likeness, was there good timing, and so on? Family and friends glance at photographs and say “that is a good one” or maybe “I’d like a copy.” When the photographer has better, ...