The Photographer's Eye

"an army of photographers who run rampant over the globe,photographing objects of all sorts, sizes and shapes, under almost every condition, without ever pausing to ask themselves, is this or that artistic?"

While reading this article written by John Szarkowski, i came across this quote and it stood out to me. Painters have slayed themselves over their works for hours upon days, centuries before the ability to snap a camera. Before photography, an artist went to work with brush and pallette in hand and nothing less than a vision in mind. Upon the arrival of photography, it eliminated the greuling work and concentration, not to mention talent, that went into painting. The ability to capture a point to paper in a miniscule amout of time, greatly popularized photography. By the late 18th century, photography had become a sinch do to the elimination of the wet plate. This made photographs easily accessible and had given the ability for anyone to do if they had a camera. Anybody could be a photographer. I feel that the quote meant that as long as one possesed a camera, it did not matter if they had the talent.

Another subject that stood out to me was under the section of "The Thing Itself." The quote, "the world intself is an artist." To become a great artist of photography, one must not see the world through his own eye, but must become intuitive with the world around. The naked eye cannot grasp the truth and beauty of its surrounding. With photography, anything can be depicted and have meaning to it of some sort just aslong as the artist can view his camera the right way.

I have really gained an interest in photography after reading this passage. It has opened my eyes a little more to my surroundings and made me realize that anything is possible in regards to taking a photo. A camera holds the truth of the world, for it can show an angle and perspective that can not be seen without. Every day objects can hold meaning to them if they are photographed at the correct perspective and have the right angle of light. I have also gained more understanding as to how to use a frame to eliminate possible distractions and give relation to objects that normally wouldn't have relation otherwise.

photography rocks! LOL sort of