Blog Prompts, Week 2

#5“I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul.” ~Mary Ellen Mark


With the permission of the subject a photograph is displayed, open for judgment, interpretation, praise, or questioning; also available for not always flattering alterations. For these reasons I agree that it is a somewhat soul-surrendering action to be photographed. The content may be purposeful and important in the present, but who is to say how it will be used or interpreted in the future? The subject can never reverse the decision, especially in today's world.

#6 In your opinion, when is it beneficial, ethical, or appropriate to digitally alter photographic portraits? When do you think it is inappropriate or ethically wrong?

One circumstance in which I support the alteration of digital portraits would be when the changes are made for a strictly artistic purpose without a social agenda. I believe the problems begin with photographs used for advertising, in particular. Images being used to sell should not be significantly altered.

#7 Pay close attention to the types and number of photographic portraits you see in one day. Where did you see them? How do you think that the content of the portrait changes based on the context in which you see the image (news, facebook, magazine, advertisement, television, youtube, etc)? In other words, what is the difference between the portraits you see on facebook vs. those on the news? What is the difference between the “viewpoint” of the photographer in each situation? What is the difference between their “intents”?

Aside from the obvious difference in quality, likely due to the difference in the types of camera’s being used, and the lack of attention to framing and lighting, the biggest distinction between images on social media sights and those seen in advertising and television is the content. Photographers who gather images for work related purposes seek out subjects who provide supportive and effective material for stories or specific documents. Photographers posting images to social media sites don’t often have an agenda, but are more often taking candid photographs of spontaneous moments or interactions. Therefore the intent of a working photographer is generally driven by need and/or a service to the public at large, and the intent of a social photographer is generally to capture unforeseen moments of togetherness or humor with the intent of sharing only with other friends and family.

Please respond to the following three quotes.

#8 “My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” ~Richard Avedon.

Photographers ultimately have control over every detail of a shoot and how their photographs are eventually portrayed. Especially when looking over a photographer’s complete collection of photographs, I believe it’s true that we learn more about them than their subjects. When we look at photographs as viewers, we don’t always ask ourselves about the subjects, we ask about why, where, and how the photograph was taken. These questions are asked of the photographer, not the subject.

#9 “You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ~Ansel Adams


Photographs, like most forms of fine art, should be thought of as complete compositions. There is a process that must be gone through in order to achieve correct balance, lighting, framing, and content. Therefore, a composition is created, much a like a painting. The final image involves much more than simply pushing a button at the right moment. 


#10 “All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.” ~John Berger


Especially in regards to modern photography, I tend to disagree with this quote. With such a wide range of uses it would be a huge stretch, in my opinion, to say that all photographic images are there to remind us of what we forget. From advertising to fashion photography, these images are often used to spark imagination, or even to present things that don’t actually exist. While many photographs, especially those taken by amateur photographers, have nostalgic undertones, I would venture to guess that a majority of photos taken in today’s world have a very different purpose. Additionally, it is a great stretch to say that paintings always record something the painter remembers. Sometimes painting is done simply for design for instance. It can be geometric in nature, and many paintings have no social content or human subjects. Spontaneous decisions by painters can also be made, just as they are by photographers. I do agree that photographs can have multiple meanings depending on the viewer, however I believe this is also true of most paintings.