What the camera captures is not always what the mind captures. When a photographer takes an image, he has a definitive assumption regarding the message he conveys. However, when the same image reaches the viewers, the impact can be different. For many reasons : the image could be altered in some manner : cropped, reversed, enhanced or simply resized to lesser proportions. Those alterations are nothing compare to those done by the human mind. The way we relate to images has a lot to do with our own experience. Everything we process is passed through our memory filter in order to better interpret and organize the information we receive. Photography is no exception.

The role of the photographer then becomes a subtle work of connecting what he sees with what we already know. It is to pull together two experiences that somehow have similarities. Obviously, no photographer can know everyones past. However, he can tap into the social awareness as a source of common knowledge and tie it to the message he is trying to convey. Thus, the truly talented photographer constantly weaves a perfect web of related information going back and forth from our common knowledge to our required experience.

1. International Center of Photography, ICP

After the explosion of the first Atomic bomb on civilians in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, president truman dispatches more than a thousand men to survey the damage. The team included photographers that went through great pain to document the remains of the devastated city. Those images were first highly classified, The US Government did not want people see the extend of the damages, then mysteriously found their way to the trash where they were found by a man walking his dog. Now, for the first time in 60 years, some of these images can be seen. They are brutally emotionless, almost scientific. These are the not the work of photojournalist but the result of passively accurate surveyors. For those who cannot make it to new York for the exhibit, a selection is available on the ICP website, along with a short video.

www.icp.org/museum/exhibitions/hiroshima-ground-zero-1945

2. Picture Editor’s Guild

When professional photo editors get together to judge photographs, it is always a welcoming event. It is no exception when those photo editors are British and are members of the UK Picture Editor’s Guild. Fresh out of their session, the winners are now available for all to see on their on line gallery, a bit hard to navigate, but still of wonderful talent that you might, or might not have seen. There is obviously a lot of british theme involved here, from Cricket to Royals (they actually have a Royal Photographer category). However, all demonstrate a lot of talent, with very often a slight twist of humor, something rather typical of the british culture.

www.piced.net/winners-2010×.html

3. Rock Paper Photo

You like photography and you like music? Well, there is a new site for you. Especially if you into vintage rock, hip hop, or just simply into all kind of musical icons. Recently launch during a big party in new York, Rock Paper Photo is a site that allows you to discover or rediscover images of your favorite artist(s) and, if you purchase a signed frame copy for your personal wall. But even if you do not have the means to purchase any of those images for yourself, you can still can peruse the site for top images. With such photographer

www.rockpaperphoto.com