SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE
SPOTLIGHT
Photography and Text By Douglas Schwartz
Examining a photograph, painting, or other work of art, is an exercise in understanding the basic
fundamentals of a jigsaw puzzle. Allow me to explain.
Just as there are numerous elements that make up a puzzle, so too are there numerous elements that
make up a work of art. The pieces must all fit together in both examples. Attempting to force the
elements to fit results in an inferior presentation.
The photograph that I chose to examine in this SPOTLIGHT is one that I created over twenty years
ago during a visit to Grand Teton National Park. For those of you who have never been to this majestic
place, Grand Teton National Park is immense and, if you don't have ample time to explore it, a bit
overwhelming. There is so much to see and on such a grand scale!
As I drove down the park road, I arrived at this vantage point of the mountains and river. Several tourists
as well as a couple of other serious photographers were nearby as well. As is often the case at a popular
location such as this, I centered my attention on the scene and politely ignored the other humans. As an
artist, there are times when you have to be that way. Otherwise, you'll miss the opportunity.
Working quickly so as not to see the combination of natural elements before me change, I set up my
camera and composed the image which I felt best conveyed the beauty and majesty of the landscape.
To this day, it is one of my most popular images sold as a fine art print. Not bad for an east coast artist!
fundamentals of a jigsaw puzzle. Allow me to explain.
Just as there are numerous elements that make up a puzzle, so too are there numerous elements that
make up a work of art. The pieces must all fit together in both examples. Attempting to force the
elements to fit results in an inferior presentation.
The photograph that I chose to examine in this SPOTLIGHT is one that I created over twenty years
ago during a visit to Grand Teton National Park. For those of you who have never been to this majestic
place, Grand Teton National Park is immense and, if you don't have ample time to explore it, a bit
overwhelming. There is so much to see and on such a grand scale!
As I drove down the park road, I arrived at this vantage point of the mountains and river. Several tourists
as well as a couple of other serious photographers were nearby as well. As is often the case at a popular
location such as this, I centered my attention on the scene and politely ignored the other humans. As an
artist, there are times when you have to be that way. Otherwise, you'll miss the opportunity.
Working quickly so as not to see the combination of natural elements before me change, I set up my
camera and composed the image which I felt best conveyed the beauty and majesty of the landscape.
To this day, it is one of my most popular images sold as a fine art print. Not bad for an east coast artist!
INSIDE THE IMAGE
Why is this image so popular? The answer to this question is multi-faceted. Looking beyond the fact that I
chose to create the image in color rather than in black and white, we must examine the various elements
that, like the pieces of a puzzle, combine to create the presentation. Is there a center point? Is there an
element that is the most significant? What exactly makes this image work so well?
Delving into this image, we are naturally confronted by the enormity of the mountains. Because of their sheer
size, they must surely be the primary elements, or "stars" of the photograph! What else?
The river would most assuredly disagree. In fact, considering how important the river is to the photograph,
the tranquil flowing water must be the main element. Right? Not if you ask the trees! For without them, the
scene would not be complete. That is their opinion, of course. An appeal to be recognized is heard coming
from the small vegetation alongside the river, as well as the clouds above. Their call is simple. Without them,
would the photograph be complete? Would the photograph be a work of art?
Before we form a conclusion, let us not forget the light of the sun gracing the landscape, without which, there
would be no scene to enjoy! That ball of cosmic fire that illuminates our world and fuels the crops that nourish
our bodies and our creativity as artists. Old Sol must be the star! Who else?
Well, what about that small and unseen human element. I am referring to me, the artist, standing behind the
camera and creating the exposure. After all, without yours truly, the scene, as I portrayed it, at that precise
moment in time, would have gone unrecorded. As important as my involvement was, I would rather focus my
final thought on the scene itself.
In my opinion, each element in this image is equally important regardless of its scale…from the smallest
vegetation to the river, mountains, clouds and sky. Is a blade of grass, leaf, rock, or clump of soil less
important than the entire, vast Earth? Not if you consider that without all the blades of grass, leaves, rocks
and clumps of soil, there would be no planet Earth! The Earth is comprised of a myriad of tiny, intermediate
and enormous elements. It is as simple and miraculous as that!
Like a puzzle, each work of art, be it a photograph, painting, poem, sculpture, film, musical score, or any
creative design, is comprised of an infinite number of pieces which, if assembled correctly, present
something truly wonderful and meaningful for the intended audience to experience. That is what makes
art so special and incredible! I celebrate the infinite!
chose to create the image in color rather than in black and white, we must examine the various elements
that, like the pieces of a puzzle, combine to create the presentation. Is there a center point? Is there an
element that is the most significant? What exactly makes this image work so well?
Delving into this image, we are naturally confronted by the enormity of the mountains. Because of their sheer
size, they must surely be the primary elements, or "stars" of the photograph! What else?
The river would most assuredly disagree. In fact, considering how important the river is to the photograph,
the tranquil flowing water must be the main element. Right? Not if you ask the trees! For without them, the
scene would not be complete. That is their opinion, of course. An appeal to be recognized is heard coming
from the small vegetation alongside the river, as well as the clouds above. Their call is simple. Without them,
would the photograph be complete? Would the photograph be a work of art?
Before we form a conclusion, let us not forget the light of the sun gracing the landscape, without which, there
would be no scene to enjoy! That ball of cosmic fire that illuminates our world and fuels the crops that nourish
our bodies and our creativity as artists. Old Sol must be the star! Who else?
Well, what about that small and unseen human element. I am referring to me, the artist, standing behind the
camera and creating the exposure. After all, without yours truly, the scene, as I portrayed it, at that precise
moment in time, would have gone unrecorded. As important as my involvement was, I would rather focus my
final thought on the scene itself.
In my opinion, each element in this image is equally important regardless of its scale…from the smallest
vegetation to the river, mountains, clouds and sky. Is a blade of grass, leaf, rock, or clump of soil less
important than the entire, vast Earth? Not if you consider that without all the blades of grass, leaves, rocks
and clumps of soil, there would be no planet Earth! The Earth is comprised of a myriad of tiny, intermediate
and enormous elements. It is as simple and miraculous as that!
Like a puzzle, each work of art, be it a photograph, painting, poem, sculpture, film, musical score, or any
creative design, is comprised of an infinite number of pieces which, if assembled correctly, present
something truly wonderful and meaningful for the intended audience to experience. That is what makes
art so special and incredible! I celebrate the infinite!
Artwork featured in this SPOTLIGHT © copyright Douglas Schwartz. All rights reserved.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
See more of Douglas Schwartz's photography at SchwartzNaturePhotography.com.
