Photographers—how do you answer this question?

Currently, my response begins with a look upwards, a breath, and “well, it’s hard to explain…” (“????????…”)

Photography’s meaning, if it has any, is transmitted through representation. When the answer to this question—which is inevitable, by the way—can’t be something tangible like “flowers” or “street” or “landscape,” the problem we face is one of translation. But more than bridging two spoken languages, this translation is doubly difficult: how to represent a different language of representation?

This makes transmission almost impossible, especially when we assume the other party expects an answer of two, maybe three words. If only we could show them our photos! Then they would understand! (Perhaps)

John Szarkowski’s Introduction to William Eggleston’s Guide is remarkable for the precision with which he has attempted to make this translation.