Power of Photography: Photography is more powerful than the written word
Today we use visual images and words to communicate, advertise, and describe our surroundings. Words have been very useful to the world in every way possible. They can be used to read an article, describe a scene you saw, but those words would not give you the exact emotion as a photograph would. Though some people see the words others use more powerful, truly photography has more power. The best way to interpret life is through photography, not words.
Photography is a story people fail to put into words. You may or may not realize it, but you are constantly surrounded by photography. We share on social media and as well as make little or maybe even big impacts on the environment by sharing out social life with others across the world. In the article 6 reasons why photography matters, O’Neill points out that “Images are much more than a simple record. Photography speaks to the best and most generous part of our human nature – the desire to share what we find beautiful and interesting with others” (O’Neill 2012 . Everyday humans are documenting
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In the article, Why Photography Matters As Never Before, it explains how “the complexity of an image does not make its meaning more apparent to the viewer.” (Leshem & Wright p.114-115). This previous quote meaning, it does not matter how complex the image is, but it does reduce the tendency on the picture to help identify things about the pictures. As well as the article, Is Photography an Art? it argues that “The photograph is not an interpretation of reality but merely representation of it, they say”. Photographs are to be interpreted. It expresses the values of life and people have to be able to interpret this specific piece of art to fully understand what the image explains. If you look at a picture you must be able to interpret it and can put it in words to get the concept of
A reoccurring topic of the essays, concerning photography, discussed during the course is the future of professional photographers/photojournalists. Some believe that the easily accessible spread of amateur photography can and has put a strain on the works of professionals. However, with magazines such as National Geographic still in print after over a century, it raises some questions. Though the spread of information, and thus photography, has increased the platforms and need for professional photographers and photojournalists still exists.
Like Sontag, I believe that taking pictures is a form of liberation that enables people to release anxiety and increase their power by constructing a better society.
Since the beginning of time, artists have labored extensively to find innovative ways to convey sentiment, passion, and feeling. Telling stories and trying to unlock the minds of people through different avenues of artistic labors. Art touches and affects people in unique ways; it can have special or unusual meaning on the person depending on how one views it. Artists’ rendering of their art is interpreted in numerous ways by others who view it unless it is explained by the artist on its meaning giving a clear example of what they are portraying. Two people looking at the same painting, sculpture, portrait, or photo may come to different views on the arts meaning even though they are looking
Over the past hundred of years, photography has advanced and changed drastically from photographic film to mobile uploads on apps such as Instagram and snapchat. Pictures have transformed from a black and white pixelated film of your family into a colorful, vibrant, clear image of anything your eyes capture. As technology emerges and advances, its very imperative that they express the quality of pictures that society has become accustomed too. Companies such as kodak, google, apple, fuji photography, and etc compete to produce the latest photo quality and keep up with the photo trends. Apple products have continued to produce high caliber technology and one of the major advancements have been the photo aspect of there devices. The camera on apple products have evolved into live photography, slow motion videos, retina display, and much more. Photography is changing everyday, over the next 25 years Apple will continue to advancing technological improvements.
Since the beginning of time, artists have labored extensively to find innovative ways to convey sentiment, passion, and feeling. Telling stories and trying to unlock the minds of people through different avenues of artistic labors. Art touches and affects people in unique ways; it can have special or unusual meaning on the person depending on how one views it. Artists’ rendering of their art is interpreted in numerous ways by others who view it unless it is explained by the artist on its meaning giving a clear example of what they are portraying. Two people looking at the same painting, sculpture, portrait, or photo may come to different views on the arts meaning even though they are looking at the
Paintings can reveal so many things about painters without saying any words. Most of the times we don’t need words to express the emotions or feelings, so painters use painting to do that. People need words in some way to express things. It’s not just painters who could be anything that can express feelings and emotions. It would be difficult for many people to understand creative things, for many people we need words to express something. Pictures do say many things without any type of words, but it wouldn’t make much sense. People need words for feelings and emotions, thoughts cannot deliver
People approach photography the other way around, by bringing their own interpretation. I think that’s a good approach. There are no wrong answers to approach to photograph. Because it is not math, we don’t need to calculate or solve the problem. Viewers can approach it as they feel when they see the photograph. Photograph may interpreted in many different ways by viewers’ mood, experiences, and situation. One photo looks ‘sad’ today and next day same photo looks ‘finding hope in difficult circumstance.’ Photographers often manipulate composition and lights for better photo or to making a story that they want, so when viewers see the photo, they can approach in their way and just read photographer’s intention is good way to appreciate photos.
Photography has made me more persistent about my passions and has taken me on new adventures. Twice a month, I would join my cousins’ to take photographs at new locations. It did not matter if it was early in the morning or late at night, sunny or rainy, we would travel to places that were waiting to be seen by us and captured by our cameras. I have been able to visit countless of remarkable and astonishing sites throughout the country and across
Taking pictures in today's society seems like a normal part of everyone's life. We edit, post, and share them so that we can display to others what our day consists of. Not only has our way of sharing pictures changed, but so has our believes on them. As Susan Sontag suggests in her book, "On Photography," taking pictures gives people a defensive power against anxiety and a social tool of power. Sontag's stance on pictures is true, but, with recent invention of social media, I believe that taking pictures is no longer a tool of social power or a defense against anxiety. It has transformed into a gateway to mental instability and induces anxiety.
In addition, photography does it pivotal role by showing people the realities of life. One relevant example to this is photojournalism. Through photographic presentation, people are informed of the real situations of the stories about the real situations around the globe, may it be good or bad news. It is very easy to understand news or stories with photos attached to them. Therefore, photography is a powerful communication tool that embeds social happenings to the human awakening, with no other form of media can
According to John Berger, “a dramatic photograph may be as ambiguous as an undramatic one.” Photographs are significant because of their distinctive meanings. Depending on the person, the meaning of the image will change. Images can change a life. They tell the untold story. They do not lie. Elliott Erwitt states, “photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” This is also Berger’s understanding of photography. The image does not have the meaning, but the analysis of the observer is where the meaning lays. The interpretation of a photograph can change based on the observer's experiences.
Today we use photography frequently in our everyday lives and we are constantly surrounded by images that would not have been possible without photography. It's considered a hobby for some, a business for others. Photography is a huge money making industry, from people taking pictures to sell to magazines to portrait photographers taking happy snaps of families at their best. Photography is used as a form of identification, showing us exactly how we are and proving we are who we say. It is used to sell products and advertise almost anything you can think of. It's also used as a journalistic tool, to send a message to the world and inform others. It can
Have you ever taken a picture or been looking through a photo album and felt a sudden rush of emotion? Do you wonder what caused that emotion? Many find themselves captivated by a photograph and overwhelmed by the emotions that the photograph arouses. Believe it or not the arousal of emotion from those photographs was not caused by the content of the picture but by certain elements within the photograph. When a photograph is viewed it is not only the subject that triggers the overwhelming emotional response, it is the length of time that the film was exposed to sunlight, the way lighting is used and played with, and the strong detail of colors or lack thereof. While many believe that the subject acts as the primary stimuli to emotions, the
For many individuals collecting and viewing art might be thought of as a favorite hobby or past time. Individuals might be seen at a local art museum just gazing at a piece of art, exhibiting almost signs of being in a trance of deep thought as one stands front and center, not moving for what seems to be an endless amount of time. The reason for such an appreciation for art, might be what it represents. Lisa Marder writes, “Art can be thought of as a symbol of what it means to be human, manifested in physical form for others to see and interpret. It can serve as a symbol for something that is tangible, or for a thought, an emotion, a feeling, or a concept. Through peaceful means, it can convey the full spectrum of the human experience.” (Marder, 2017, para. 28). Meaning, art really has the ability to express many things and perspectives, which can also be represented in various shapes, sizes, and forms such as, drawings, sculptures, paintings, etc. With that being said, art is not only about the message that is being conveyed, but also a significance placed upon how the message is conveyed. There is a lot of thought and precision that goes into creating such art, that will enhance the message being conveyed; form and composition, material and technique, the lines, color, and texture, space and perspective, and proportion and scale.
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” You have probably heard that quote just about a thousand times. None the less I believe that a picture can tell a story or convey more than just a image. Photography allows us to share and communicate with people everywhere, express ourselves, and capture any moment we wish. Taking a picture is a lot like painting on a blank canvas; except the world is your canvas and you can take a picture of whatever you want. Pictures can be anything you desire, I believe that a picture can say a lot more than a word can.