The Power of a Photograph
I got an email recently from a stranger that changed how I think about my own photography. I’ve been inspired by other photographers’ work plenty of times, but it had never really occurred to me that a photograph of mine could land on someone else the same way.
As a landscape and seascape photographer I’m constantly out scouting Rhode Island for the next scene — tide charts, maps, a handful of apps, all in service of finding good light and an interesting angle. After I share a photograph, people Like it, comment on it, share it around. I love the feedback, and I’m genuinely grateful for it.
Sometimes I get emails instead, and those tend to be a lot more personal. One recently really got to me. Before I say how, here’s what he wrote:
Hi Mike, I would like to share something with you. I left Tiverton to join the Navy back in 1974. I have since lived in, worked in or visited about 30 countries. I count Newport Harbor as one of the most beautiful spots in this whole world. My parents lived until their deaths in Tiverton, so I visited every so often. My dad was a native Rhode Islander and a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. He ended up dying back in the 80’s right there in the Newport Naval Hospital. I remember coming back from Germany for what turned out to be a final visit with dad. I can see to this day almost the same shot you took. I had visited dad, and knowing he was close to the end, I stood outside the front of the hospital in a moment of peaceful reflection and watched a beautiful sunset. I knew right then that all was good, as dad would pass on while under the care of our Navy and at one of the most beautiful spots in this world. Mike, you have captured an amazingly beautiful sight with your skillful eye and hand.
I was speechless. Read it a few more times that afternoon, then read it out loud to my wife after dinner. It took me about a day before I could put together a reply.
The photograph he was talking about was this one: Seascape Photography at Newport Harbor.
As a photographer, I’m trying to make some kind of emotional connection — I want a photograph to remind you of a place, a feeling, a time. I’ve been on the receiving end of that plenty of times with other people’s work. It had just never sunk in that mine could do the same for someone else. In the weeks since, I’ve noticed myself out shooting a little differently — less caught up in the technical side, thinking more about what the photograph is actually trying to say.
To the gentleman who sent that email — thank you, for opening my eyes to what a single photograph can do.
Note: the email and story were shared with the author’s permission — something that personal didn’t feel right to post without checking with him first.