Photography and Reality

You might want to look at this in connection with Annie Leibovitz's work, as they were partners for many years.

The camera lies. Every photograph is edited for the subjective view of the photographer. Every photo.

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Photography is not any different than any other artistic medium, yes I concur, it is wildly subjective --- as is film, painting, writing, set design, choreography, music-- it's all a matter of interpretation. Different interpretation isn't always a bad thing...
for example:
Fosse = slow comfortable screw; versus Marshall =one night bump and grind. Both have merit, neither one unanimously loved both never to be viewed as one in the same.

What a photographer chooses to frame within the window, may in fact hide some things, but it can also expose others.....and while it may fracture or reflect light to enhance or limit a scene, in my opinion it is no less valuable than any other artists rendering.

The problem, as I see it, is that people often see one image (picture) and then perceive or believe it to be news (reality).

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"Basically, she says that photography limits our understanding of the wold."

Compared to what? The argument is taken out of context, so I'm not sure why she is saying this. I don't think it limits our understanding of the world any more than any other subjective art form.

"A camera's rendering must always hide more than it discloses."

Must? Again, I'm not sure how this logic is applied. Perhaps she means the only way to understand the world is to experience it for yourself, but that is a given. I'm not sure I agree that photography is more limiting than other media. Sometimes the photograph is posed or edited or cropped. Sometimes it is a candid shot capturing one particular moment from a particular angle. Motivation is a factor. So many things. What is she talking about specifically?

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A photograph is like an essay, I suppose. It takes a position since it can only depict an instant, or one approach to something multi-dimensional. On the other hand, like a persuasive essay, it can be compelling in symbolizing something bigger. I always remember the photographs from the Viet Nam war that had such an impact on the anti-war movement. The little girl running naked and screaming down a muddy road after a napalm attack. Or a captured soldier about to be shot by opposing troops, with the gun held to his head. Not reality in the true sense, but still true.

Is that a vibrator?

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Thanks for the clarification...nice photo!

I wonder if Bibi Galini had that building erected.

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"You are, how you say, the little woman?"

"Michael Dahling!"

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