Perfect Language Use

I studied Spanish and Latin in high school. Russian in college. Learned enough of each to be able to converse with an early elementary-age child if required of me. Nothing more. 

Foreign language was a requirement in both schools, and I wanted to graduate. I knew Spanish would come in handy as I lived in Florida where even in the early 60s it was common to regularly speak with someone from a Spanish-speaking country.

Everybody took Latin.

I studied Russian because I thought it would help me explore more about the Cold War, about our boldest adversary, and for a skill that would come in handy in business or the military.

Don't remember much of either of these languages. I never put the skills into practice.

The language I most employ now is photography.

It doesn't matter how much you know about a language or how many words or phrases you can say. What matters most is the emotional choices you make with the language.

Making photographs that evoke a response from the viewer is the apex of visual communication, the best use of photographic language.

Being a perfect technician, knowledgeable about the mechanics of photography, is of little value if your choices in making photographs doesn’t convey the emotion of the subject.

One aspect of the use of any language is becoming engaged in it. Letting it begin to flow without thought, without measure, without worry about the process.

Only then does the language succeed in communicating your thoughts. Learn the language by becoming immersed in it.

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