I have been reading Maria Short's reflections concerning truth and reality of photographic images in her excellent "Context and Narrative." In the first chapter The Photograph Maria explores the functions of photography from capturing the true visual appearance to creating a constructed reality. It is clear that such different aims would create different outcomes and would in many ways determine the relationship between the photographer, their subject, the photograph and the audience (or audiences). They might require a different set of technical and creative skills and abilities from the photographer. The photographer's choices of the lighting, equipment, setting, background and composition would also be made with these functions in mind.
Whether it is determined by the given brief or the subjective perception of the photographer, the photographic reality can be and is often altered. Like most things in life, it isn't good or bad - it's just the way it is. As long as we are all aware of and accept the limitations of the media it should not be a problem.
The camera lies...
The camera captures the truth...
The question asked by the 4th century BC. philosopher Eubulides comes to mind "A man says that he is lying. Is what he says true or false?" And we are getting into the deep waters of the liar paradox.
Whether it is determined by the given brief or the subjective perception of the photographer, the photographic reality can be and is often altered. Like most things in life, it isn't good or bad - it's just the way it is. As long as we are all aware of and accept the limitations of the media it should not be a problem.
The camera lies...
The camera captures the truth...
The question asked by the 4th century BC. philosopher Eubulides comes to mind "A man says that he is lying. Is what he says true or false?" And we are getting into the deep waters of the liar paradox.
