A Personal View From Our Own Correspondent

There are pictures that cause us to laugh. And there are images that make us feel sad; cry even. And then there’re photographs that arouse nostalgia. And again, some pictures can arouse disgust or loathing.

Throughout history pictures, paintings and sculpture have become famous wholly due to emotionally affecting the viewer. And in more modern times, think of Don McCullin’s graphic images from the Vietnam War, or Franz Lanting with his expressive wildlife photography that tells a story: they arouse emotions.

It was noticeable at a recent H2 competition that the judge, not only had more to say about some of the images; spent longer viewing them, but also gave them higher marks. As she stated several times later, the images in question had aroused an emotion in her.

As individuals we have all had different life experiences. As a consequence, people seeing the same image will be affected differently - some can see much passion and excitement in a piece of art, whereas another person can be neutral, unmoved. Yet another can positively dislike it.

So the next time you find yourself looking slightly longer at a piece of art, be it painting or photograph, it may be interesting to ask yourself whether it has aroused an emotion. And if it has, which one? Is it amusement, sadness, nostalgia? Or disgust?

Cameron Trypodd