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Reading Assignment & Note Submission | Chapter 3-5
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Reading Assignment & Note Submission | Chapter 3-5
CHAPTER 3 - Documentation: Architecture and Landscape Week 2
Discussion – Whether photography is art or documentation?
Part I: It is essential to understand that the argument on whether
photography is art or documentation has existed since this practice
began. Initially, photography was merely viewed as an objective
method of depicting reality, which proved helpful in scientific and
geographical endeavours. At some point, photographers such as Ansel
Adams went further to show that photographers can also capture
artistic works, so they combined technical issues with artistry
(Rosenblum, 2019).
Another level added to this debate is the question of what art is. Since the mechanical process
of taking a picture degrades photography, the vivid imagination of the photographer, the
arrangements of objects and people, and the ability to elicit feelings make photography artistic.
Breaking down the distinctions has continued with the evolution of settings and the arrival of
signal modification in photographic media. Therefore, the art of photography manifests its
ability to break away from nearly all conventional categories of artwork about the conversations
that never end regarding its place in the artistic scale.
Part II: Thanks to tourism in the 1850s, many demands impacted
landscape photography. To meet these needs, photographers adapted
and started posing photographs to suit those fancies while often being
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less concerned with authenticity. As a result of this shift, there
appeared compositions that depicted natural beauty through the use
of such aspects of art as balance, contrast, and perspective and other
features as balance, contrast, and perspective, among others
(Rosenblum, 2019).
This period of cartography also helped in the commercialization of landscape photography,
hence enhancing the art. As the role of spectators emerged, photographers started to
accommodate their audiences' preferences and improved or staged specific scenes to make
them look even more beautiful. This practice met society's need for stunning scenery and
challenged photographers to find the best angles and style. Also, the connection between
tourism and photography aims to save cultural and natural values by displaying views that
probably would lose their existence. As a result, the aesthetics of the photographic practice are
both simultaneous and paradoxical, growing increasingly divided between the dual function of
art and documentation privation.
Landscape Photography and Ethical Considerations – Week 2
Discussion
European photographers in foreign lands during the early period
considered landscapes as being pristine and unaltered by man,
motivated more by curiosity and documentation than anything else.
Unfortunately, this approach was perceived to have some ethical
issues. The liberty and rights these photographers enjoyed, and the
chances they were afforded represented the scarcities citizens of this
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region had been subjected to. This distinction points to the imperialist
perspective, in which photography minimizes the contexts of cultural
and historical surroundings of the places and people. Such ethical
problems escalated when these images were commodified again back
in Europe since they barely escaped the tendency to reproduce
stereotypes and colonial discourse (Rosenblum, 2019).
In addition, the power relations evidenced within these photograph projects commonly
reassembled colonialist discourses and constructed the photographed territories as savage and
wild. This perspective should have considered the indigenous populations as active living people
with their drama and, more critically, as people with their own culture. These images were thus
commercialized in Europe, distorting public opinion and policies towards the colonized
territories. When today's photographers revisit the history of these practices, there is a call for
ethical representation and working closer with the indigenous people to ensure that the
photographic practice is sensitive to cultural and historical surroundings.
Week 2 Writing Assignment on Landscape Photography
Functions of Landscape Photography:
1. Documentation for Scientific Study: Photography portrayed
the Botanists, Geologists, or explorations. Example: The purpose
of Frederick Catherwood as an archaeologist in 1841 was to
document Palenque's ruins to support further archaeological
research (Rosenblum, 2019).
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However, it is useful to mention that landscape photography was useful in documenting
scientific discoveries and played an important role in creating maps and surveys of new
territories. Depictions from photographs gave a conceptual and intimate narrative to
the flow of words and arrows on maps, aided in the assessment and the depiction of the
geography and the tangle of the topography of the parts of the world that remain
unseen. This multifaceted and transitional nature of photography as both a scientific
and explorative means in various spheres helps to elaborate on this tool's significance in
advancing numerous disciplines, including archaeology and environmental science.
2. Tourism and Souvenirs: Tourists could buy postcards or
souvenirs of the places they have visited, and landscape
photography fulfilled this ever-increasing need of middle-class
tourists. Example: The Views of Yellowstone by William Henry
Jackson in the 1870s encouraged tourists to visit the newly
created national park (Rosenblum, 2019).
Another area was also affected by the growth of tourism and consumers' desire for
photographic mementoes, namely natural and cultural landmarks' protection. Jackson
used to be a famous photographer who showed pictures of places like Yellowstone and
made a growing interest of people in such areas and, therefore, the conservation
strides. Thus, the postcard landscape photos responded to tourists' expectations,
helping raise public awareness of environmental issues and the protection of natural
sites.
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3. Artistic Expression: Some photographers, one of whom was
Carleton Watkins, also pursued the creative composition of the
images, emphasizing form and light. Example: In the 1860s,
Watkins produced images of the Yosemite Valley that straddled
the line between documentary and artistic (Rosenblum, 2019).
Landscape photography evolved into a means by which Watkins and his contemporaries
could experiment and expand the possibilities of visual art as a whole since the primary
emphasis was placed on the use of light and shade and the general organization of the
picture plane. Some of the contributions of these artists were to apply painting to depict
the physical world and simultaneously evoke emotions in the viewers. These innovative
photojournalism features greatly fostered landscape photography as a legitimate and
revolutionary art category.
CHAPTER 4 - Documentation: Week 2 Discussion – Photographing
objects and events
As with most aspects of society, industrialization was transformative,
and photography was valuable in capturing this change. One
photographer that can be noted is Charles Marville, who photographed
the modernization of Paris during the mid-nineteenth century. His work
focused on the process of demolition and construction during the time
of Baron Haussmann; he recorded significant changes in the urban
landscape. Marville's photographs can be considered as documentation
of the dramatic shifts in the urban environment, making this
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photographer's work an excellent example of how photography could
capture and shape the process of socialization of progress (Rosenblum,
2019).
It is noteworthy that Marville's work is wider than simple reporting and describes a process of
change and improvement consistent with social development during the author's period. To
show progress, he paints young people, old houses, rusted balconies, and new buildings. Thus,
through his work depicting these transformative changes in the City, Marville helped future
generations of urban topography and social organization in Paris during the period of
transformation due to industrialization.
Week 2 Discussion – The Rise of Photojournalism
With the help of war photography, the perception of the public and the
process of recording history also changed. Mathew Brady of the United
States was a photographer of this era and documented the Civil War.
Through Brady's images, the public could see the faces and
implications of war and how wars were represented and covered. His
work is an excellent example of how photography can influence
people's attitudes and visually document some historical events
(Rosenblum, 2019).
Brady's work shows that he did not restrict himself to the Civil War; he paved the way for future
war photographers. Through their reflection, he presented the true meaning of the post through
the use of poor and often vivid language that helped to bring out war from its abstract shell. This
work highlighted the efficacy of the visual media in creating and representing historical memory
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and the practicality of photojournalism as an important segment of the new reporting and
historical evidence.
CHAPTER 5 - Photography and Art: Week 2 Discussion on
Photography and Painting in The First Phase: 1839 – 1890
Impact of Painting on Photography: When photography was in its
infancy, it used compositions and subjects similar to paintings to be
considered artistic. This influence can be seen in the works of
photographers who used elements like soft focus and staged
compositions to replicate the look of paintings (Rosenblum, 2019).
An interdependence was essential between the two forms of art, so that photography became
an influence on the paintings. Thus, photographers adopted painterly perspectives to achieve
artistic respectability at the same time as painters started looking for new points of view and
compositions in the wake of photographic realism. The politics of influence between the two
forms added to the sophistication of new approaches and styles that brought about dynamism
to the concepts of visual arts. The initial attempts to replicate the painting with their help also
contributed to classifying photography as an independent and worthy activity.
Impact of Photography on Painting: Photography allowed painters
to free themselves from the responsibility to depict reality, thus
opening the doors to abstract and impressionist painting. Photography
influenced painters like Edgar Degas, who were forced to employ
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different angles and positions due to photographic rendition
(Rosenblum, 2019).
While photography slowly but successfully started to depict reality accurately, painters became
free to forge their compositions and use almost any colours and shapes they wanted. The
emergence of photography was a liberation from the preciseness of things since artists could
focus more on expressionism and be freer with their work. This led to such trends as
Impressionism with Degas and Monet, who were interested in painting the transient nature of
light and the atmosphere. Photography vastly affected painting by igniting some artistic
revolution and changing the methods of painting astonishingly.
Unique Power of Photography: This meant photography had a
particular control over painting since it could freeze time by capturing
pure, real moments. Paintings could be idealized, manipulated, and
changed anyway, whereas photographs were viewed as the actual
representation of reality, thus making it natural and perfect
(Rosenblum, 2019).
The Tang was correct in stating that, as opposed to painting, photography's specificity made it
complete and authentic. This characteristic of photography made it possible for the form to be
used as a tool in documentation, recording, and the narration of history. While paintings could
depict either an imaginary or an imaginary picture, photographs captured real-life scenes, thus
making them more believable than the paintings. This intrinsic credibility remains one of the
distinctive characteristics to this day, which in turn predetermines the functions of photography
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as an artwork and evidence guarantees its prospects as a medium capable of conveying the
truth and emotions.
Statement Analysis: Based on Rosenblum's comment on
photography, I support him in describing it as more effective in
enlightening some parts of the natural world than trying to mimic
painting. The most remarkable thing about photography is its ability to
reconstruct moments of life with maximum precision and clarity
(Rosenblum, 2019).
The proficiency of Photography Paste is in its ability to bring the real world to Hollywood's door
clearly and concisely, giving the audience glimpses of life that many may not have seen before.
Due to this it becomes a very useful tool of scientific documentation of the natural environment
and a source of record of events as well as an artistic medium. Regardless, painting achieved the
possibility of free interpretation and idealistic representation while, on the other hand, the
advantages of faithful realistic documentation provided within the photographic medium
increase one's awareness and appreciation of the environment in which one lives. Through
singling out the aspects that differentiate it from the other types of art, photography has found
its special and important niche and belongs to the sphere of visual arts.
Week 2 Discussion – Photography and naturalism
Unlike the other works in the chapter, Charles Negre's photograph
supports Peter Henry Emerson's Naturalism by capturing candid
expressions of real/everyday life, thereby seeking beauty in the
natural. This approach went a notch higher in terms of the naturalness
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of the compositions than the earlier photography. Thus, using an
authentic and straightforward style, Negre's work preceded modern
tendencies of documentary photography. Contemporary photography
can be closer to Naturalism and Realism to represent accurate models
of objects (Rosenblum, 2019).
In particular, Negre embraced Naturalism, which sharply contrasts much of the conventionality
of his peers' output and the stylized nature of the subjects portrayed. It was, therefore, easier
for the viewers of the photographs to relate to the subjects and themes portrayed by Negre by
capturing the bar's raw reality. This focus on naturalism thereby contributed to the enrichment
of imagery within the field of photography and the generations of documentary photographers.
Naturalism and Realism remain pertinent in today's photographic practices, stressing aspects of
the actual location/ surroundings and the unadulterated portrayal of subjects. Thus, Negre's
early work, which has some flaws, did create the basis for a more authentic representation of
identity via the lens.
References
Rosenblum, N. (2019). A world history of photography (5th ed.). Abbeville
Press.
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