Vernacular Photography
Ever take a photo of something you found particularly interesting with the thought that it’s probably only interesting to you? Well, you’re not alone; we’ve all done it from time to time. In the process of “seeing” (an activity some may say is what photography is all about) we tend to see more—subtle details that resonate on an aesthetic level. We often attach different meanings to certain objects, or even view them in a larger context. As a result, we form a deeper attachment to these items, a kind of fetish, if you will, and they become one of the many subjects of our work as photographers.
Well, there’s a name for that. Vernacular photography. One definition of the word vernacular states, “A vernacular, or vernacular language, is the language or variety of a language used in everyday life by the common people of a specific population.” In this way, this seemingly mundane aspect of photography becomes a visual vocabulary to describe the world around us in context. More than a mere snapshot—which can also accomplish this task—vernacular photography can often focus on a specific object, and elevate it to a higher level. “An inanimate object worshiped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit”. Well, maybe these things don’t exactly have magical powers or spirits attached to them. But, we are drawn to them nonetheless.
If you Google Vernacular Photography, you’ll find a lot of vintage photos, which seem to have found a home in this genre. This makes sense, as time has taken them out of the context of what we consider to be daily life, lending a uniqueness to them which makes them well-suited for this category in a safe harbor. But Vernacular Photography can also be deeply personal—a very effective means of self-expression that can make a statement, and tell a lot about its maker.
So go ahead, take photos of those objects you find compelling and share them with the rest of us. There’s beauty all around, even if we do need to look a little closer to see it.
