The Soul of the Camera: The Photographer's Place in Picture-Making

by David duChemin

that are more compelling, you have to accept that every intentionally made photograph is an act of interpretation, and within our scene and with our choices it is we who are responsible to find the best expression of that interpretation. The camera can’t do it. We have to be willing to interpret. The scene in front of us might be meaningful to us, but we must find the best and strongest way to present that meaning. Creative photography is a deeply subjective pursuit. I would argue that even photojournalism and forensic photography are much more subjective than we’ve been led to believe. This is not a criticism; rather, it elevates the roles of the photographers upon whom there is even greater responsibility to present an honest interpretation. There is freedom in this perspective. Knowing that every choice changes the way we interpret a scene and thus affects (though does not control) the way others read and interpret the photographs we make gives us room to play. We can play with the perspective we choose and see how moving the position of the camera changes relationships between the elements—as well as the things implied about those