Although photography is an incredibly mainstream art form which does not require much skill or talent at an amateur level, it is just as capable in terms of telling a story and evoking emotions through a simple image as other art forms. To be able to capture a moment in time, no matter how significant, is a very convenient kind of art that can then be used in a variety of ways to either tell stories or just to keep for ourselves. Photography can also be used to reveal a moment that someone has experienced, or at the very least mimic it, so that others can share that moment as well.
As stated in On Photography by Susan Sontag, “Photographs, which package the world, seem to invite packaging. They are stuck in albums, framed and set on tables, tacked on walls, projected as slides” (Sontag, 2). These images can reveal only that which the person behind the lens wishes for it to reveal. It is because of this that photography is an incredibly personal art form which makes it easy for the photographer to convey their desired result. The ability to tamper with such photos also adds a new dimension to the ability to express exactly what it is the photographer aims to do. We can take out certain aspects of a photo that we may not like or play with the lighting setting to add to the mood we desire to portray.
For those who put thought into the way that their photos align, it is the beauty and precision behind taking photos that allows it to be as expressive as it is. We can easily hide moments that we do not wish to include, and replace them with smaller visuals that add to what we wish to make the audience feel. On some level, I do agree with Sontag’s standpoint where photos can be seen as the “objectification of the subject”, since we take the view for ourselves and make it our own to keep, remember, or share. On the other hand, I would not look at that as an inherently negative thing.
Seeing the evolution of photography as a whole since its was invented also gives us insight as to what people viewed as worthy of taking photos of. The style and types of photography that were used changed overtime as more and more people gained access to cameras. After digital cameras and later smartphones became easily accessible, people began to take more photos of everyday moments since they had the means to do so. I believe that the photos that someone takes can let the audience know what was on in their minds at that moment. The photographer must see beauty or value in that which becomes the subject of their photo, which is why it is worth looking at and discussing.
I appreciate your commentary on how as artists in photography we may pick and choose what we want to include or take out when displaying our final product. While this is a privilege in many ways, I believe it often makes us spoiled in producing art because we get to control every aspect and leave out the variability that spontaneous photography offers.