Amen! ++1
I don't snap the shutter, much less print a negative if I don't think the resulting image will communicate on many different levels.
Sure, you don't have to try to communicate with your photography, but I believe that the best photography (and art, literature, music, etc.) does communicate, and does so powerfully and eloquently utilizing the particular strengths and emotional-sensual language inherent in the medium.
So, "what are you trying to communicate?" is a valid question for communicative art of any sort. Even purely documentary photography has a communicative goal.
With non-verbal media, the communication that occurs is so often on that non-verbal level that descriptions are difficult if not impossible. Nevertheless, I find it useful to try to put my intentions into words if for no other reason than to clarify my own thinking.
Stradibarrius, look deeper! "because it looks cool" might, on closer reflection, be more specifically expresses as (for example), "The proportions of visual spaces, lines and shades have a subliminal emotional impact. That coupled with the subject matter..." You get the idea and, no, I'm not trying to be facetious. Don't get me wrong, I hate empty "Artspeak" with a passion, nor do I believe that art should be able to be described to be fully appreciated. But, as a tool for clarifying one's thinking process, and bringing the subconscious into awareness, trying to describe what we are trying to say has value. That is why teachers often ask this question; they want you to examine your own motivations in a more critical and conscious way. I think that is good.
Best,
Doremus
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