Photographer or Viewer, who's in charge?

Ultimately, the mods decide. I occasionally post a photo of OT dolls with an allowed doll and have never had a photo removed. I don't think it's that big of a deal. The mods are always right in any case.

 

I think the OP is asking about perspective, not whether a particular picture is allowed by a mod or not. These are some really interesting questions, none which have ever occurred to me. I will try to answer them best as I know how:

Who's job is it to decide what the subject of a photograph is?
Is it the Photographers?

Is it the Viewers?

Where is the line drawn between who's responsible?

I would have to answer the first 2 with one answer. The photographer may decide what they want their subject to be, but ultimately, it is the viewer's perspective who decides what the subject of the picture is. The gifted photographer can control the viewer's response to the degree of his or her talent, however.

The 3rd question relates to the above answer. The line is drawn by the abilities of the photographer to set the theme. If the photographer can accurately convey his/her vision for the photo, then the viewer will see the photographer's intent.

 

Unfortunately here, mods decide.

Viewers have more power on deciding what the subject is, but as a photographer, if one is a good one, they can use photos and composition to persuade the viewers in their opinion.

 

If we're talking about photography in general (I'm not even touching the off-topic vs on topic dolls in one photo thing) then I think it's a mixture of both the photographer and viewer because each and every person who views a photo will take away something different from it but it's the photographer who obviously makes the compositional choices and decides how to photograph their subject.
The photographer has tools at their disposal, such as purposefully composing a shot so one doll for example is what the eye naturally falls on or is lead too and signifiers that communicate something to the viewer that can influence the viewer's perception and get across what the photographer is attempting to communicate. So in that respect I think there's a definite relationship between photographer and viewer when it comes to how a photograph is interpreted rather than it being solely down to one or the other.

 

If a photo has to qualify for something, then it's the judge (i.e. whomever you're submitting it to; here, the moderators) who gets to decide whether it qualifies. In your case, size doesn't matter-- the off-topic dolls are allowed in photos with the on-topic doll, as the rules say.

Other than that, it's not any one person's "job". Both photographer & viewer get to come away from that photo with whatever impression they get from it. The photographer may have an intent, but the viewer might see something different. Both are correct. I might be taking a picture that for me showcases a lot of the color blue, but a viewer might focus on the doll's expression, or jewelry, or eyes, or what-have-you. It's the same with painting, or music, or poetry, or dance, or any other art form. The consumer takes away whatever s/he will, which is as it should be. The creation now has another life apart from its creator.

 

If the OP is talking about this in relationship to a decision by the mods about a specific instance, then the mods decide.

Otherwise, unless you are a commercial photographer working for a specific client who obviously wants their product to be the subject of the photograph, ultimately it doesn't matter.

I take a picture (or make a print using my "real" artform) and I am doing it to express something specific to my own experience. I don't care whether the viewer can tell what my intent was, nor do I even particularly want them to. To be honest with you, looking at a piece I have done a few years ago, I may not even remember myself what it was exactly that I was thinking as I made the piece, because I was able to work through the inspiration by doing the piece and have since forgotten. All I care about is that I elicit an emotional response from the viewer. Sometimes people will "interpret" my artwork (or photos) to me and ask me if they are right or wrong. In my opinion there IS no right or wrong, there is just what the viewer brings to the artwork and what they take away from it. It is similar to an ink blot test- no right or wrong answers, but people's interpretations can tell me more about the viewer than my artwork tells them about me.

So my opinion is- ultimately this is a philosophical question which cannot be answered, although both sides can be argued endlessly.

Unless of course, as a student, you are referring to a specific assignment from a teacher that requires you to establish an easily-identifiable subject- in which case the responsibility is the photographer's.

 

Just have to say yay for the Art Institute (I went there too). Who's job is it to decide what the subject of a photograph is (use my example or don't, doesn't matter to me)

This is the fun of art! It's so subjective! It's the same with every media, from writing to drawing to photography. For instance, let's say an author writes a book and they have a particular message they're trying to convey when they write. When it comes time that someone else is reading it, they might get that message AND another message that wasn't originally intended by the author. Or the reader may find a different message and not have noticed what the author was driving at in the first place. The same thing can happen with a drawing or a photo. The artist planned for a certain subject and they planned it to convey a certain feeling or message. The viewer sees a completely different piece than the artist planned, or maybe they see exactly what the artist was thinking. Either way, I don't feel like right and wrong particularly belong when discussing art. Who's to call the viewer wrong for seeing something differently? Everyone is different and they think differently and come from different places, they have been through different things in life. All of that adds up to a person and just because the person sees things differently doesn't make them wrong. Art wouldn't be half as interesting if everyone viewed it in the same way.

 

It's not necessarily right or wrong, but I do think there's this element of... failure if the photographer hasn't explicitly communicated with the viewer about what the main focus should be. I do get that art is subjective, but if say, 99% of your audience says this doll is the main focus and you say actually, it's that doll... something's gone wrong there Your work should speak for itself, not have you constantly explain what message or emotion you're trying to convey.

Obviously it's up to you whether you want to do this extra effort or not. But a lack of a clear message could explain why a viewer thinks the main subject is not the one the photographer wants us to think.

 

The forum rules do not prohibit posting an image of an off-topic doll TOGETHER with an on-topic doll. An image of several off-topic dolls which includes at least one on-topic doll, no matter what size, will formally qualify, for example, a conceptual photo which depicts an on-topic BJD floating in the sea of fashion dolls.

However, if a photographer consistently posts images of off-topic dolls as his/her primary models and just throws in an on-topic doll for the sake of formality, in effect abusing a loophole, it may present a problem. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to use the Ask the Moderators subforum to post your questions to the Moderators' team.

 

When viewing an image the viewer decides because the artist has no place telling the viewer what they should or should not consider the focus. If the artist wants to communicate something specific it's up to them to create art that does exactly that. If your work is misinterpreted it means you are being too abstract or you might be talking to the wrong audience. If you want something specific to be the primary focus then use composition, color and light to make it undeniably so. It seems like art 101.

 

Who's JOB ~ TO DECIDE ~ LINE DRAWN ~ WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?

I first want to express my respect for asking questions like this, before I go into the BUT part...I would love the opportunity to take photography lessons from the Art Institute. Congrats to you! In order to really let your creativity fly you are greatly served by knowing the technical aspects of how a camera works, and what the general natural occurrence of brain-eye connection to a photograph will be with most humans.

Now, BUT -- I shudder [no pun intended] at the idea of using those words in connection to creativity. I don't even want to think about trying to decide something like that because that is not the kind of thinking I want in my head when I am looking at/OR MAKING photography or art.

And talk about what the subject is...isn't it interesting how some people took the example of on and off topic doll and relationship to the system of order kept here in DOA by our mods...as the point of the question. A good example of how focus can only be controlled so much. Humans all share common things but we are also absolutely unique in our responses.

I love the freedom that art allows me to perceive the world in a place where I can suspend thinking and even time seems to disappear.

All that said, it is the photographers responsibility and the viewers prerogative. Once your photograph or art is shown to a viewer, it has become their exclusive special right to decide what the focus will be. OR in an almost mystical sense, it becomes the power of the art to tell whatever story IT chooses.

Ack--the word responsible--THAT is a good example of what is not great about being TAUGHT art.

When I'm writing, I love to play with italics, bold, caps, color...because I want to be in charge {responsible} -- or something like that? Maybe it is because it took me a long time to notice I could use those things and I like to play? Ummm...who cares? I'm being flip and really it is an interesting question and represents a whole world of questions and perspective about creativity and purpose.

 

As a former art student (and continued pilgrim for the cause..) ~ it is my opinion that the SUBJECT is on the burden of the artist. It is our job to create the focal point in whatever medium (painting, photograph, etc) ~ using the power of color and composition.

 

As many dolls as are in my personal photographs are all the main subject. Typically I take couple shots of Ash and Chris, and their love is the focus. Of course I admit I look at Ash more because he's my favorite but I suppose others might find Chris more appealing in photos. I dunno, that's an interesting question.

 

Who's job is it to decide what the subject of a photograph is (use my example or don't, doesn't matter to me)
In a sense it is the photographer, as they are deciding what it is they are trying to communicate and how best to go about doing it. However, it is not a situation where the photographer will ever have 100% control, because viewers will bring their own perspectives with them -- things that will color how they view the artist's work. It's one of those inevitable things. There will always be a certain amount of subjectivity. Also if the photographer is trying to send a very specific message or focus and nobody is getting it, that might point to the photograph itself being unsuccessful.

Where is the line drawn between who's responsible?
I don't think it's always clear, and it depends on the situation and how clear the meaning of the photograph was meant to be. Some photos will by their nature be more subjective than others, however viewers responses will always vary somewhat no matter the situation. Also, people's gut reactions to things are just that -- they aren't necessarily so controllable. What the viewer does have power over and where their responsibility lies (from my perspective anyway) is what they do with that reaction.

 

Whose job is it to decide what the subject of a photograph is? Is it the Photographer's? Is it the Viewer's? Where is the line drawn between who's responsible?

Interesting questions. If the photographer wants to get a specific message across, then it's his or her responsibility to present the image in such a way that the viewer will get the message. Good photographers, artists or writers won't just throw something out there and see what sticks. They'll use their skills to get across what they want to get across.

Art is interactive, though, so the viewer will always bring their own point of view. But I think a good photographer has more power than the viewer.

 

I really think its 50/50. The photographer has their say about what they want, how they take the picture, where the post it, what the story is but the viewer has their own opinion and....well, views as to what they see and what they think because of it.

 

Honestly, I think that photography is like most other art in that the subject is, well, subjective. You as the photographer can attempt to push the viewer in the right direction and emphasize what you want to be the subject, but there are about as many different interpretations of a picture as there are viewers ans I don't think anything can be done to really change that.

 

Every picture is open for interpretation by its viewers, but I believe the photographer has the control to direct its meaning and/or theme by applying their skills like adjusting the focus, lighting, exposure, color, backgrounds and/or whatever variables that the photographer can manipulate during the photoshoot (and in some of the cases, even after the photoshoot by using photo-editing software).

Using the OP's example, there are plenty of techniques to focus on the PukiPuki like placing it on the center, making them hand-in-hand but cutting the other dolls out of the picture at some pics, showing the off-topic dolls one at a time but the pukipuki present in all of the pictures. Or turn the pukipuki the star of the show by making it wear better clothing and/or wigs than the other dolls. These techniques are just basics, but I guess you can go as far as your abilities go. I'm sure your school will be able to point you at the right direction

As for moderation, don't think that every post you'll made with an off-topic doll will send red flags to the mods though, because I have seen pics in the gallery with off-topic dolls (and yes, even action figures) as long as it is limited to showing scale and proportions and skintones, or used as props in a photostory. Some users are even kind enough to tell that they are about to post something off-topic. As long as there is a specific purpose on doing that for that specific photoshoot and not doing it everytime you make a post, it is fine