If Saint Exupery's famous quote was really true, then there would be no point in photography. Stripped from all but its visual aspect, picture reality could convey no more about the essential than the mere cover of a book about its content.

But good photography is more. It is a selection in place and time. And every picture is unique, because good photography is an opinion, it is a judgement of the world. When we see people, we encounter joy, sorrow, we see hope. When we see landscapes, we feel freedom or beauty, we experience awe. Vision, the mere perceptual recognition, translates into a world in motion.

And this is the fascinating about good photography: That it is more than meets the eye.

Each picture is the artist's view on what he deems fit to convey the essential. Therefore, it does not do away with the need to see things with one's heart. To the contrary, good photography shows what has been viewed with heart, and what should hence be viewed with heart as well.

For this reason, viewing photography can never be passive. Photography provides the visual level, and it leaves it to the beholder to fill in the rest. And to do that, use your heart!

"You only see well with your heart. The essential is invisible for the eyes."