What we see is one thing. However, the way we see it has more to do with the way we think than with the actual image coming in through our pupils. The brain interprets the images coming in through our eyes and attempts to make sense of the world around us. Take a picture with a camera, and the photo captures details of the whole scene. But when your eyes observe the same view, you consciously observe only that part of the scene on which you focus your attention. How the brain does this remains a mystery. It may be that as your brain processes the visual information you compare what you see with what you already know.
As an artist I am often struck by the beauty of a particular scene. Usually this happens while I’m on my way to an appointment. Not having the time to stop and set up an easel and begin painting, I’ll photograph the scene. However, when I return home and go through my pictures I am often disappointed by elements of the picture that I hadn’t noticed, such as telephone poles and wires. Equally disturbing is the camera’s inability to capture and record light. Many times the shadow areas are too dark and devoid of any detail, while on the other hand the sunlit areas are washed out. What I thought was a beautiful scene now looks very unappealing in the photo. I still may be able to accomplish a beautiful painting but, it would require the use of my memory to make deliberate choices to edit the light, shadows and objects in the picture. As time passes, I begin to forget. The longer the time interval between the actual taking of the photograph and the developing of the picture the greater the potential for me wondering just why I took the picture in the first place.
The role the brain plays in how we see can also be demonstrated in another way. Have you ever listened to someone tell a story and find yourself completing his thought before he gets there only to be corrected by him? The same thing can happen when viewing art. While fishing on Claverack Creek with a friend of mine I took this picture of him with his fly rod. When I decided to begin the project I realized I didn’t like the surrounding landscape. So I took him out of that picture and selected a picture I took while I was hiking along the Agawamuck an entirely different stream. When I showed him the painting, he swore he knew exactly where the location was. I had a tough time convincing him otherwise. I finally had to remind him that our fishing trip was in summer yet this painting is obviously an autumn scene. Looking at this painting so reminded him of a previous enjoyable fishing trip of his in the fall that his brain made the emotional connection.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson. Rather than concentrate on strict detail it is more important to capture the impressions of a scene that will trigger the emotions in the viewer. As I share more of my work with you, feel free to let me know if I am getting closer or farther away from accomplishing my goal.
Ken
