Yet Another Visual Metaphor

“We’re at a crossroads in HIV treatment…” begins the 2014 Undetectable flash collective.

Ten years later, this year, I believe that we find ourselves at yet another kind of crossroads. In an attempt to make sense of this particular crossroads, I’ve explored visual metaphors–from “choosing wisely” (a la Indiana Jones) to “not becoming negative space” and revisiting the concept of an individual’s and/or a “collective state of mind.”

Today, one week before this year’s consequential crossroads, one that could become a point of no return in our lives, please allow me to add yet another visual metaphor, one that talks about post-production workflow and the various ways to edit an image. I hope that it will make sense.

Photographers or a photographer can capture a subject, and then edit that image in various ways. The resulting images will look different, offering various, unique, facets of the same said subject. Various edits can enhance various looks or moods. Some edits could emphasize a fine-art feel, while others, more of an editorial one.

It depends on the ultimate use and purpose of that particular photograph.

Sometimes, any or all of these edits work, at least in one way or another. And sometimes they don’t.

And sometimes they don’t.

Remember the final purpose and use of a particular image. That the printed images is permanent and the final image oftentimes lasts forever. Photograph and edit with that in mind.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Alina Oswald