Many times people are drawn to something because of appearance, they see something that is aesthetically pleasing to them and they become interested in that object. I am focusing on that visual element by trying to draw someone in with something pleasing to look at, and then change the focus to what this photograph means, and how it relates to a larger issue; I consider this technique useful and very appropriate at times. An example of drawing one's attention via attractiveness is with my photograph Shiny Gold Dots .
When trying to decide on which photograph to use, my main focus really was whether or not the photograph would attract somebody's attention. The hope being that somebody might see this and resolve to further investigate any connection it might have. Or that perhaps the photograph might stimulate some curiosity that may warrant further investigation into the meaning behind this photograph.
I wanted to make sure that there would be a clear connection between the photograph and Lyn Hejinian's poem. I had taken this photograph after reading Hejinian's My Life and wanted to connect the literature to a visual element. There were a few photographs to choose from that dealt with patterns and repetition, but this one seemed to be the most interesting, and also the most aesthetically pleasing. The patterns that Hejinian uses in her poem seem for me to be a significant focus and wanted Shiny Gold Dots to be an introduction into the meaning and usefulness behind Hejinian's use of patterns. I do not intend to use this photograph as an attempt to explain how the patterns work in Hejinian's poem, but rather as an acknowledgement of their existence; to create intrigue and instigate a desire to read My Life and develop independent conclusions of her use of patterns. I was not sure if I wanted to use this photograph at first because it came out a little more blurry than I had wanted, but I soon changed my mind after thinking more about the patterns in Hejinian's poem. I realized that the blurriness in the photograph is relevant in the aspect that we do not always realize the meaning behind patterns right away; we have to focus a little harder to conclude their usefulness.
