Subtlety

Subtlety

Time magazine had an obituary for Alec Guinness, which said:

“In an era when grossness is king, subtlety needs to be honored.”

 The root of subtle is French for finely woven. It is defined as: perceptive, refined, or having been marked by a keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly. Highly skillful. Expert (as in craftsman). Other synonyms are: discriminating, astute, indirect and sophisticated. They may also be: abstruse, suggestive and elusive. It also can be: difficult to understand and distinguish.

 Are these not the attributes of a good photograph: one that takes a bit of sensitivity and effort on the part of the viewer to be understood. It is, for the most part, antithetical to the current art scene.

 Dick Arentz  2004