Subtracting one dimension and stopping time is the photographer's job

Think about it. The world we live in consists of three physical dimensions plus a fourth dimension of time. A photograph loses the dimension of depth (Z axis for the math wiz) and freezes time at the moment the image was created.

The job of the photographer is to create an image in which the loss of depth and the loss of time is done in a purposeful manner that makes this loss not only painless, but perhaps beneficial.

The photographer must use height and width in the image to imply depth. This is done through careful composition and careful lighting mostly. Light must be used to differentiate intersecting planes as well as surfaces that are perpendicular to each other. Failure to do this results in a 'flat' image that has no 'depth'.

The loss of time can be a good thing. For one, the photograph will survive even if the thing photographed does not. We all look at photos of our families and love to see this daughter or that nephew displaying their gap-toothed grins. In architectural photography we manage things so that the image captures a uniquely purposeful slice of time that will forever serve as the iconic image of the structure. We shoot on a day when conditions are favorable. We shoot before the building interiors start to show age and wear. We produce our images not only in a pleasing composition (as defined by the X,Y,Z coordinates of everything visible to the camera) but also in the optimal time to capture the best image possible.

The mind of the average person is not trained to think this way. Many photographers are not trained to think this way. Perhaps some naturally stumble upon these things. I think I did. Others may see all of this as nonsense.

Study the work of photographers that you enjoy. Are these concepts on display in their images? Have they frozen an opportune moment? Have they learned how to turn the three dimensional world into a two dimensional one with an expert eye?