Friday, March 19, 2010

Words v/s Photographs

It’s been a while since my last post. Apologies for the gap. Been juggling between writing about my previous reviews and fixing some for the next month.

This post isn't  going to be about a place. I have a question for you instead. One that was asked to me by a friend’s friend over dinner the other night, “You think it’s a picture that gets someone to read a travel piece or the quality of writing?

My instant response was, “Both.” His question led to a big discussion amongst us over wine and steak. For an hour. Conclusion: there was no conclusion. Some said it was just the photographs; some said, the writing and some said, their state of mind.

I on the other hand realized, I didn’t have an answer to his question. Because I am on the other side, clicking and writing about a place. Plus, my passion for knowing about every bit of the world is so strong, I would just soak in everything related to it that comes my way. Be it words or photographs. So I really wouldn’t know what a regular reader would like.

It’s you who reads what we write. Is a good photograph required for you to want to read, even if the writing is mediocre? Is it the headline that lures you? Do long paragraphs just put you off? Or would you rather read and read and read some more, and oh well, if there are photographs to compliment what you read, good enough.

The writer and photographer in me is curious.

5 comments:

  1. I guess its both. But yes god photographs makes me more curious about places and to read further. Catchy headlines do draw my attention quickly... but then the writing has to be interesting to keep on reading further on.

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  2. @Avani: You've basically mentioned everything i questioned in my post miss.photographer. The confusion still remains!

    @gesh: Aaah ok. And you seem to use them rather sparingly...:)

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  3. I am not an avid reader but yes i feel the photographs and the headlines do grab my attention when it comes to reading an article. Also, if the writing is not interesting and informative i do leave reading the article mid way.

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  4. Hey Navneet...so you're saying that while great pictures maybe the pulling factor, if it's not well written, there's no point, right? Fair enough. Thanks for your feedback!

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