Intent Vs. Accident And Form Vs. Content

by Paul Storm

Recently I read some things on form and content and how they both need to be part of a picture to make it successful. Though, I’m struggling more and more with the idea of intent versus accident (or the ‘unplanned’) and the motivation(s) behind it. The thought concretized when I saw a recent picture of Santa Claus exiting a bar. The intent (obvious irony) waged too heavy though it seemed it was a spontaneous moment. When a photo is clearly composed, such as a portrait, you buy into the intent and accept it. The added bonus is perhaps the odd unplanned facial expression giving away some recognizable truth. So do those two elements need to be in a photo? Still contemplating…