A few weeks ago, I came across a stunning photo of a dancer, captured by a very talented photographer, Rishi Raj.
Needless to say, I loved the photo. While admiring it, someone next to me said, “Look carefully—there are so many elements coming together to make this photo remarkable. The pillars in the background, the subtle, graceful pose of the dancer, the way the color of the costume complements the pillars. None of these elements are loud or demanding attention on their own, but together, they create a beautiful piece of art. The subtlety builds a sense of affinity.”
That struck a chord with me. True visual storytelling lies in these nuances. At first glance, we may not notice every detail, but when we take the time to observe carefully, we see how each element contributes to the whole. It’s a quiet kind of magic, one that invites us to linger and discover.
Now, contrast that with a photo designed to grab attention through theatrics. Its appeal is obvious, almost shouting for the camera’s focus. While such images may succeed in catching our eye, they often fade quickly, replaced by the next dramatic spectacle demanding our attention.
Subtlety, on the other hand, builds affinity. It requires comprehension. It invites us to navigate its layers, to uncover its story with curiosity. And when we do, it stays with us. Many of us will clap for attention-grabbing stories, but it’s the affinity-building ones that leave us speechless.
In today’s fast-paced, convenience-driven culture—now amplified by the ubiquity of generative AI—only stories that build affinity will truly endure. Attention-grabbing stories may win applause, but they are ephemeral, fleeting.
The stories that leave us speechless? Those are the ones we’ll remember forever….
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