There's Something Poetic About Photography

Poetry for the eyes...  Visual poetry...  Poetic vision...

I've heard all these things before.  What is it about photography (good photography) that makes it so compelling?  With all of the talk about simplifying and minimizing, why do we still enjoy looking at art so much? 

There seems to be a somewhat universal desire to be surrounded by beautiful things.  We put pictures on our walls, in our offices, even in hospitals.  Glossy magazines tempt us with stunning photographs. 

The best pictures take our breath away.

As do the best poems.

Photography, like poetry, expresses emotion.  It speaks to us; it comes from the heart.  We've all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."  Well, I think a good photograph is worth a poem.  Perhaps, a good photo is worth one word, if it speaks loudly enough.  Or rather, softly.

It could be there are photos worth writing poetry about; it could also be that there are poems worth being composed as a photo.  Maybe, a photo is a poem. 

I would like to think all three are possible.