Embarrassed to Show Your Photos? Expanding the Appeal of Creativity Through Empathy | Knowledge #47

In today's world, sharing photos you take on social media is easy. However, many people feel the difficulty of sharing photos. One reason is the 'pressure of photo evaluation'.
Every time you post, you might expect likes and comments, and feel down when you don't get them. It's understandable to feel that way.

The cizucu editorial team suggests a photo viewing approach that focuses on 'empathy' rather than 'evaluation'. By focusing on 'empathy', a new way of enjoying photos emerges. Empathy is based on emotions and experiences. By considering the background of the photo and the photographer's intent, understanding and empathy for the photo deepen.

For instance, consider a landscape photo taken during a trip.
Instead of just showing a beautiful scene, sharing the story of how you got there or what the photographer felt makes it easier for viewers to empathize with the experience.
The cizucu editorial team has often found that after interviewing creators, revisiting their photos deepens the impact of those images.
Knowing the background and context of a photo allows it to be perceived not just as an image, but as a piece with a story.

When viewing photos, it's important to cherish the emotions they evoke. Joy, sadness, surprise—by empathizing with the emotions conveyed by the photo, it is understood more deeply.
Imagining what the photographer felt at that moment enhances the enjoyment of viewing photos.

Focusing too much on evaluation might lead to concentrating solely on technical aspects. However, the essence of photography is not technique, but the story and emotions of that moment. By focusing on the message conveyed by the photo, rather than perfect composition or exposure, the way you view photos changes.

When sharing photos, what can you do to evoke empathy? One method is to write a 'caption'. Why not add a short comment or story along with the photo?

By conveying the situation in which the photo was taken and what the photographer felt, viewers can more easily grasp the essence.

Sharing photos is a wonderful way to share your perspective and emotions with others. By adopting a view that values empathy over evaluation, the enjoyment of viewing photos deepens. Expressing yourself is not something to be embarrassed about. We at cizucu hope to be a small catalyst for your creativity.