My advice for using photography for symbolic expression is looking through the view finder as your new pair of eyes. In expressive photography, we rely on visual symbols to represent abstract ideas. A symbol stands for something with a larger meaning. And some of the most famous photographs endure because of their symbolism. In expressive photography, we rely on visual symbols to represent abstract ideas. Images like Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother,” and Joe Rosenthal’s “Iwo Jima”, symbolic photographs can trigger multiple meanings, depending upon who may be looking at it, because symbols can often mean different things to different people. Images that offer multiple meanings will often challenge the imagination of viewers in unexpected and provocative ways. Any image that encourages thought, moves the emotions, or stimulates the imagination can be a valuable experience. It all depends on how the photographer has used symbolization and how the viewer understands those symbols. Sometimes it is difficult to accurately present our feelings, ideas and thoughts, or even our mood, in a pure visual form. When photographing we want to exemplify key details and make sure the onlooker can really experience the emotions that accompany it. No naturalistic version of the scene could convey as much as expression, because viewer will notice the important details that constitute the atmosphere of the moment. I think when images strike that metaphysical cord within us that a lot of the time the image will strike others as well.
