The one thing that really stuck out to me in this article is how photography is an art that is so readily available that people are not taking the time to understand why they are taking a certain photograph or even trying to understand why photography is an art. I know that I am guilty of this at times when I go to a concert or am out with my friends we are all taking pictures to document that we were there and what we did. Also, there are people who just take a lot of photographs because they can and they want to share them with all their friends and family on social networking site such as facebook. Sontang used the example of going on vacation or when parents take hundreds of pictures of there little children documenting that something really did happen (Sontag 8). Then she also goes on to say that it is just social standards that are being set and that even if someone didn’t want to take pictures at a big event then they would be seen as not being normal (Sontag 8). When thinking about it in this manor why do we need to prove that we did or did not do something? Just like if someone were to go on vacation people will take a picture of everything that is happening and not really enjoy the time while they are on vacation. They will be behind the camera so much that they really don’t get to enjoy the time away from work. Also, it does not help that camera’s are so available and that the camera industry is saying that anyone can use their product and so people are not understanding the art of photography they are just taking photos to take them and trying to prove they were somewhere or trying to brag about a situation. It would be really hard to get everyone to change his or her view on photography and I would not do that. But, it is just interesting to think about why are people taking a certain picture, are they taking it because they want to or because they feel social obligated to take the photograph in that particular situation?
I'm glad someone else feels this way. I am usually very cautious, even with my digital camera, to limit my picture taking at events and on vacations so that I don't end up only focusing on the compositions of the moment, rather than participating in the moment itself.
ReplyDeleteI hate when I go to a concert or to the park with my nephew or something and aftewards can only remember the act of taking pictures, not what songs were played, or the games my nephew made up.
I also can't stand it when I am out with a group of people and they insist on taking a thousand group photos, one minutes after another, as if between the two so much happened that they would somehow tell the story of the night! Ugh, haha.
I battled with this during my semester abroad. I was seeing new places and people several times a week and my camera was constantly up to my eye, making sure i didn't miss a thing because I wanted to share my experiences with everyone back home. I would spend an afternoon in a new town, and the result at the end of the day would be an upload of 1000 pictures to my kodakgallery account. In 4 hours, or 240 minutes, I had taken 1000 pictures.... nearly 4 pictures a minute, or one every 15 seconds (my mom's a math teacher). Did I ever take the time to actually SEE what I was "seeing"?? The camera can become quite the obsession-- and I too have to remind myself to take in the memories that go beyond the eye: the sounds, the smells, the feelings.... the things that make up the whole experience.
ReplyDelete" I am usually very cautious, even with my digital camera, to limit my picture taking at events and on vacations so that I don't end up only focusing on the compositions of the moment, rather than participating in the moment itself.
ReplyDelete"
Well put, Ryan.