Understanding What Makes a Good Image and Learning How to Use That Knowledge

By Charles S. Johnson, Jr.
PART II:
Understanding What Makes a Good Image and Learning How to Use That Knowledge
New cameras don’t just capture photons; they compute pictures, Brian Hayes
Finally I found in the appearance of the real world the same abstraction as in pictures, René Magritte
______________________________________________________________
Why do images attract or repel?
Now we come to the crux of the matter.  Why do we respond as we do to art?  It is easy and fun to speculate. Consider the following suggested “attractants”:
Representations and reminders of stimulating experiences:  Representational art certainly reminds us of people and events.  Food, games, combat, and attractive people are all featured in popular art.  This brings to mind good documentary photography that has impact and evokes feelings.  At a deeper level all art represents nature, and some universally satisfying features of images reveal our evolutionary past.  Natural landscapes are preferred, especia...