Neuroaesthetics and Photography

Have you ever found yourself captivated by a photograph, completely drawn into its beauty, yet unable to articulate why it's so dang appealing? Me, too. Then I discovered the fascinating field of neuroaesthetics. Neuroaesthetics seeks to understand our perception and appreciation of art, including photography, through the lens of neuroscience. From photography school, I knew our brains were hardwired to appreciate certain visual elements. That’s why there’s a “right” way of composing a photograph. Until recently, I didn’t realize how much of our perception of aesthetics was largely universal. 

The Science of Aesthetics

At its core, neuroaesthetics is an interdisciplinary field that combines cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and art to explain the neural basis of aesthetic experiences. It explores how our brain reacts when we encounter beauty and how these reactions shape our preferences and emotional responses.

In photography, neuroaesthetics helps us comprehend why certain images resonate with us (and others don't). It can explain why some photographs have the power to evoke strong emotions, tell a story, or connect with us on a deep, personal level.

According to the Human Brain, a Lot of Beauty is Universal 

When we look at a photograph, our brain processes its visual elements–composition, color, contrast, light, texture–and interprets them based on things like our past experiences, cultural backgrounds, and personal tastes. Certain universal principles, however, seem to evoke similar responses across all of these more subjective lenses.

For instance, humans are naturally drawn to symmetry, often perceiving symmetrical images as more pleasing. This preference likely stems from our brain's tendency to prefer patterns and order. Similarly, the rule of thirds in photography, where an image is divided into nine equal parts, capitalizes on our brain's love for balance and proportion.

Colors also play a crucial role in perception. Warm colors like red and orange often stimulate feelings of warmth and comfort, while cool colors like blue and green can induce feelings of calmness and serenity. 

Beyond visual elements, neuroaesthetics also explores the emotional bond we form with photographs. Images that evoke memories or depict familiar scenes can trigger a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.

Final Thoughts

Personally, neuroaesthetics is the answer to the questions I’ve asked myself over the years: why do I gravitate toward the photos I do? Understanding neuroaesthetics can inform the way we take, curate, and display photographs. By considering how different elements of an image will interact with our brain's mechanisms, we can create more impactful and engaging images.

Expect so much more on this topic going forward!