Why choose the term Exposure Latitude(s)? Let me start with the definition of exposure latitude:
Exposure latitude is the range of exposure for a particular photographic film or emulsion. A film with a wide range of exposure latitude (that is, with greater latitude) has far more flexibility in terms of exposure possibilities than film with a narrow exposure latitude. Greater exposure latitude usually translates into increased range (increased opportunity) to get an acceptable negative/image.
As you can see it is a photographic term, but it also holds a few other connotations for me. Here are a few:
1) Exposure: photographers are as open to exposure as is film. Some photographers walk out of the house not necessarily knowing what they are going to shoot on any given day. Others plan carefully to the last detail. I do things both ways: At times I walk out the door without a detailed plan of what I intend to shoot. Those days I just walk, I look, I ponder, and I stumble across possibilities that speak to me. I try to be present so that I can see deeply a moment, and to capture it photographically. Some photographic moments are quite serendipitous. That does not in any way invalidate the notion that the photographer ought to also approach this art/craft with a clear sense of “making” a shot, taking much into consideration before venturing out. In fact, most of the time I walk out with a good idea of what I need to shoot for a particular project. Social documentary, PJ work, and even street photo work, most often require planning. Still… regardless of my approach for the day, photography requires that I be open to the moment, that I be out there present, “being exposed” to the world (Yikes!). Both of these approaches can be exercises in mindfulness, and both are about being exposed.
2) Latitude: This term can be understood as location, a geographical positioning marker. In that way, it speaks to me of being in place, “on location” if you will. It also means range in the above sense of exposure latitude. For me that translates into having flexibility, openness, range, and not being narrow minded about what I see. It reminds me to not get too boxed in or try to pigeon-hole what I encounter –not being too constrained by categories. Finally, latitude sounds close to attitude (and in fact we “grant latitude” to folks for their attitude no?), and I think photography is also about an attitude, a disposition, an inclination. That disposition and attitude for me is primarily about openness, about experiencing the moment, about sustaining our attention (exposing ourselves) to the present moment in a world where what rules is precisely the utter contingency of life. I’m reminded that in the space program attitude means orientation (as in the attitude of the capsule upon re-entry). Photographers then, have an orientation, an attitude (which might be reflected in vision and style). As I said, for me that attitude is about the openness and flexibility necessary to make photography be a practice of being present, and an extension of my voice to raise awareness and foster social change. I started with latitude and ended in attitude, but that is the latitude I give myself as photographer.
There you have it. Exposure Latitude(s), is truly about the dynamic range I seek to cultivate in my photographic practice. That dynamic range is about remaining open to the moment, about flexibility, about sustaining attention and getting out of my own way so that I can be as present as possible and look deeply. It certainly does not have to be the same for you.