The Photograph Chapter Three
The three main levels of the photograph:
1) Mechanical Photography: photos which aim at a simple representation of the objects in which the camera is pointed.
2)Artphotography: the photographer aka artist decides to diffuse his mind into objects by arranging, modifying, or otherwise disposing these objects so that they appear to be in a more beautiful manner
3) High-Art Photography: consists of certain pictures which aim at a higher purpose than the majority of art-photographs, and whose purpose is not merely to amuse but to instruct, purify, and ennoble.
The photograph on page 44 is said to have cause a minor scandal because it was faked; how funny…how many things are faked these days anyway? MOVIES are faked…how would these people feel about that? And fashion photos are posed and faked; what would people from the 1850’s say about that?
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Photograph Chapter Two
The Photograph Chapter Two
“The photograph is itself the product of the photographer.” Sometimes I think we forget this when we are looking at photographs. There are certain things that the photographer wants us to get out of the photograph, and most of the time we will not get out of it what he or she intended. But it is all about expression. And the beauty of art is that everyone can get something entirely different out of it—can have a different emotional reaction to the work and really feel a bit more fulfilled. I know I compare a lot with dance, but I really think that that is the beauty of dance. Every piece has some purpose, some story to tell, and for every viewer, a different story will be told. How beautiful.
It is also interesting to note the terms denotation and connotation. Denotation is what the picture actually contains—the literal things in the photograph. Connotation is the symbolism involved in it, what the denoted things stand for; connotation can also involve things such as gesture, attitudes, and expressions. I love the picture on page 31 with the couple and the child playing in the background. The woman seems to be relaxing, to be soaking up the sun. The male seems upset or stressed out about something. His body language reminds me of a child (the way his feet are facing inward). The child in the background seems oblivious to the lives of his parents, not unlike many children today. The backyard is very large (not something impressive but something that I did notice immediately).
The way that we view a photograph is the way that we view the world in cultural terms. A different person from a different part of the country or world will see something TOTALLY different in a photograph. Who would have thought that where we live would cause a difference in the photos that we prefer?
“The photograph is itself the product of the photographer.” Sometimes I think we forget this when we are looking at photographs. There are certain things that the photographer wants us to get out of the photograph, and most of the time we will not get out of it what he or she intended. But it is all about expression. And the beauty of art is that everyone can get something entirely different out of it—can have a different emotional reaction to the work and really feel a bit more fulfilled. I know I compare a lot with dance, but I really think that that is the beauty of dance. Every piece has some purpose, some story to tell, and for every viewer, a different story will be told. How beautiful.
It is also interesting to note the terms denotation and connotation. Denotation is what the picture actually contains—the literal things in the photograph. Connotation is the symbolism involved in it, what the denoted things stand for; connotation can also involve things such as gesture, attitudes, and expressions. I love the picture on page 31 with the couple and the child playing in the background. The woman seems to be relaxing, to be soaking up the sun. The male seems upset or stressed out about something. His body language reminds me of a child (the way his feet are facing inward). The child in the background seems oblivious to the lives of his parents, not unlike many children today. The backyard is very large (not something impressive but something that I did notice immediately).
The way that we view a photograph is the way that we view the world in cultural terms. A different person from a different part of the country or world will see something TOTALLY different in a photograph. Who would have thought that where we live would cause a difference in the photos that we prefer?
The Big Event
This past weekend, Centenary had the first annual Big Event. The purpose of the event was for the Centenary Community to give back to the Highland Community of which we are a part; the idea-an excellent one-impressed many and the entire event was a huge success.
As a member of the Big Event Committee, on the day of the actual event, I did not do manual labor but instead was a part of a team that checked up on all of the job sites. I went from site to site, making sure that the workers had everything that they needed, making sure that everyone was safe, and making sure that the owners were happy with the work done so far. In seeing many of the work sites several times throughout the working day, it was interesting to see the progression. On the first stop the workers were just figuring out what they needed to do and getting acquainted with the owner--we shall call this the before picture. The second stop provided a half-way done picture, and definite progress could be seen. The third stop provided the after picture; we took literal photos so that we could see firsthand the difference between the before and the after, and let me tell you, there was a large difference. So not only did I get to feel as if the Centenary community was making a difference, but I knew that they were for sure making a difference; I got to see before and after pictures.
The most rewarding job site that I visited all day was the site that the Theta Chis were working on; they transformed a jungle back into a backyard. A little old lady with major back problems stated that it was the first time in 15 years that she could really see her back yard. The boys felt so good about what they had done for the woman that they were thinking of returning the following weekend and doing some painting for the lady.
This is the purpose of events like this; to boost moral within our community, to give everything a facelift, and to teach Centenary students and faculty how to truly work together. A big thumbs up to the mastermind behind the event, Holly Williams. Congrats Holly, your event was a huge success!!
As a member of the Big Event Committee, on the day of the actual event, I did not do manual labor but instead was a part of a team that checked up on all of the job sites. I went from site to site, making sure that the workers had everything that they needed, making sure that everyone was safe, and making sure that the owners were happy with the work done so far. In seeing many of the work sites several times throughout the working day, it was interesting to see the progression. On the first stop the workers were just figuring out what they needed to do and getting acquainted with the owner--we shall call this the before picture. The second stop provided a half-way done picture, and definite progress could be seen. The third stop provided the after picture; we took literal photos so that we could see firsthand the difference between the before and the after, and let me tell you, there was a large difference. So not only did I get to feel as if the Centenary community was making a difference, but I knew that they were for sure making a difference; I got to see before and after pictures.
The most rewarding job site that I visited all day was the site that the Theta Chis were working on; they transformed a jungle back into a backyard. A little old lady with major back problems stated that it was the first time in 15 years that she could really see her back yard. The boys felt so good about what they had done for the woman that they were thinking of returning the following weekend and doing some painting for the lady.
This is the purpose of events like this; to boost moral within our community, to give everything a facelift, and to teach Centenary students and faculty how to truly work together. A big thumbs up to the mastermind behind the event, Holly Williams. Congrats Holly, your event was a huge success!!
The Ebb of a Heart's Progression
The Ebb of a Heart’s Progression
We went to dance festival this last week, and it was a week filled with visual culture. Centenary’s own, Anna Maris was chosen to perform in the gala, a supreme honor that is awarded to the best ten pieces of the festival. These top ten are chosen out of about 70 pieces of dance. Anna’s piece is particularly beautiful not only because I know Anna and I know that Anna is almost perfect inside and out, but because it brought with it a beautiful story.
The piece opened up with a rain noise; Anna is center stage with wet hair and a blue dress. There is an umbrella downstage right. Beautiful piano music picks up, and Anna dances a movement that seems to be a struggle between her and the umbrella. She approached the umbrella several times as if to get under it out of the rain but hurries off each time. At the end of the piece, the rain returns, and Anna slowly begins to walk towards the umbrella wringing out her dress as she goes. She does not entirely reach the umbrella before the lights go down, leaving some to the viewers’ imagination.
The meaning of the dance of course is to each his own, but Anna, of course, designed a specific meaning. The umbrella is a representation of God, and Anna had gotten out into the real world and had experienced some unpleasant things (the rain). She knew that the answer to her problems was to get under the umbrella, to seek God, but like all sinners, she had a hard time recommitting to the umbrella. In the end she walks towards the umbrella in acceptance of what is necessary, in humbleness. It’s a beautiful highly symbolic dance, and I could not be more proud of my sweet Anna Banana.
We went to dance festival this last week, and it was a week filled with visual culture. Centenary’s own, Anna Maris was chosen to perform in the gala, a supreme honor that is awarded to the best ten pieces of the festival. These top ten are chosen out of about 70 pieces of dance. Anna’s piece is particularly beautiful not only because I know Anna and I know that Anna is almost perfect inside and out, but because it brought with it a beautiful story.
The piece opened up with a rain noise; Anna is center stage with wet hair and a blue dress. There is an umbrella downstage right. Beautiful piano music picks up, and Anna dances a movement that seems to be a struggle between her and the umbrella. She approached the umbrella several times as if to get under it out of the rain but hurries off each time. At the end of the piece, the rain returns, and Anna slowly begins to walk towards the umbrella wringing out her dress as she goes. She does not entirely reach the umbrella before the lights go down, leaving some to the viewers’ imagination.
The meaning of the dance of course is to each his own, but Anna, of course, designed a specific meaning. The umbrella is a representation of God, and Anna had gotten out into the real world and had experienced some unpleasant things (the rain). She knew that the answer to her problems was to get under the umbrella, to seek God, but like all sinners, she had a hard time recommitting to the umbrella. In the end she walks towards the umbrella in acceptance of what is necessary, in humbleness. It’s a beautiful highly symbolic dance, and I could not be more proud of my sweet Anna Banana.
Founders' Day Convocation
Founders’ Day Convocation
This was a surprisingly good convocation. I am a fan of short and sweet. I know that it was raining on Founders’ Day, but I was really hoping that more graduating Seniors would have shown up to walk. I was disappointed in this. Of course the chor did not let me down; they never do. Dr. Schwab did well in his presentation, and the speaker also did well. I am a bit bothered with the alma mater. I think that everyone should have to learn it. This is a new realization for me. But maybe it would boost school spirit and pride, and I think that this is something that Centenary is in drastic need of. Perhaps this is why not a lot of Seniors did not walk; they did not feel as if they owed it to their school to walk, they did not experience enough pride.
I personally thought it was a bit funny the things that they had put into the time capsule 50 years ago. Did they honestly think that the stuff would last? From what I hear, pretty much nothing survived in the time capsule. This is a bit sad, but people should have used their heads.
It is always interesting to see the faculty cruise around in their full regalia, although I do not know if regalia is the correct word. I love looking at all the colors and the different hats, and it is interesting to notice the order of the professors as it has to do with their time at Centenary. I would like to ask someone that was very near the beginning if they remember when they were last in line. An interesting thought indeed…it shows time’s passage.
Perhaps my favorite part of the convocation was the accent of Dr. Don. I believe that was his first name, and I do not remember his last name. His Wales accent was pleasant to listen to, and definitely made the entire event more fascinating.
This was a surprisingly good convocation. I am a fan of short and sweet. I know that it was raining on Founders’ Day, but I was really hoping that more graduating Seniors would have shown up to walk. I was disappointed in this. Of course the chor did not let me down; they never do. Dr. Schwab did well in his presentation, and the speaker also did well. I am a bit bothered with the alma mater. I think that everyone should have to learn it. This is a new realization for me. But maybe it would boost school spirit and pride, and I think that this is something that Centenary is in drastic need of. Perhaps this is why not a lot of Seniors did not walk; they did not feel as if they owed it to their school to walk, they did not experience enough pride.
I personally thought it was a bit funny the things that they had put into the time capsule 50 years ago. Did they honestly think that the stuff would last? From what I hear, pretty much nothing survived in the time capsule. This is a bit sad, but people should have used their heads.
It is always interesting to see the faculty cruise around in their full regalia, although I do not know if regalia is the correct word. I love looking at all the colors and the different hats, and it is interesting to notice the order of the professors as it has to do with their time at Centenary. I would like to ask someone that was very near the beginning if they remember when they were last in line. An interesting thought indeed…it shows time’s passage.
Perhaps my favorite part of the convocation was the accent of Dr. Don. I believe that was his first name, and I do not remember his last name. His Wales accent was pleasant to listen to, and definitely made the entire event more fascinating.
The Photogrpah Chapter One
The Photograph Chapter One
Thus far, I have enjoyed this book much much more than Practices of Looking. I can honestly say that I have never thought about the first photograph and was thoroughly pleased to get to see a copy of the original in our book on page 12. I think that it may be a characteristic of my generation…not to consider where something came from or the time period in which it originated. The thought of the picture taking hours and hours to reproduce its subject is appalling; now we click the button and BAM we have a picture. I have never thought of the process in any other way.
The photograph can tell more than what it exactly tells. One must keep in mind the choices of the photographer…size, framing, color, type, etc. This can also tell a great deal not only about the photograph itself but also about the photographer, or artist. I learned on page 22 that a portrait is vertical and a landscape is horizontal…the first words that came to my mind: Who knew?
Perhaps the most important idea to consider when reflecting on photography as a whole is that we as a viewer bring the meaning to the picture. The artist can want us to think or notice one thing, and maybe we will get the story or idea that the photographer is trying to display. But the beauty of photography is that each picture becomes a different story for each viewer. For me it is like dance. The choreographer has something that they are trying to relay the audience, but chances are good that the piece will speak to people in completely different ways than the artist intended. This is the beauty of art.
Thus far, I have enjoyed this book much much more than Practices of Looking. I can honestly say that I have never thought about the first photograph and was thoroughly pleased to get to see a copy of the original in our book on page 12. I think that it may be a characteristic of my generation…not to consider where something came from or the time period in which it originated. The thought of the picture taking hours and hours to reproduce its subject is appalling; now we click the button and BAM we have a picture. I have never thought of the process in any other way.
The photograph can tell more than what it exactly tells. One must keep in mind the choices of the photographer…size, framing, color, type, etc. This can also tell a great deal not only about the photograph itself but also about the photographer, or artist. I learned on page 22 that a portrait is vertical and a landscape is horizontal…the first words that came to my mind: Who knew?
Perhaps the most important idea to consider when reflecting on photography as a whole is that we as a viewer bring the meaning to the picture. The artist can want us to think or notice one thing, and maybe we will get the story or idea that the photographer is trying to display. But the beauty of photography is that each picture becomes a different story for each viewer. For me it is like dance. The choreographer has something that they are trying to relay the audience, but chances are good that the piece will speak to people in completely different ways than the artist intended. This is the beauty of art.
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