Blog Response #4

#4 “If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.” ~Lewis Hine.

Write a brief reaction to this quote. Is this quote applicable to your experience with photography? What does it mean to you? Do you agree with the idea presented or disagree? Describe situations when photographic images reveal “the story” (as compared to words). Describe situations when words reveal “the story” (as compared to images).

I completely disagree with this perspective. If pictures were the only way to see the world, it would make things like literature obsolete. Some of the best visuals I have had come from things which allow me to imagine the specifics and not seem them so literally as they are presented in pictures. As I perceive the world around me, I see it only through my eyes. In photography, I am only empowered to project what I see on to others and not what they see for themselves.

As I approach viewing photographs, I believe it is incumbent upon myself to interpret the picture within the context of my own life and not necessarily how it is supposed to be viewed as dictated by the photographer. Analogous to a novel, I see photographs as a way to create a story for myself and not to REcreate a story intended by the person who took the photograph. I can think of a few photographs that I have taken which remind me of situations and instances I have been in. However, when others view the photograph, they obviously don't have the same connotations as I do about these pictures. This is further underscored when people ask me about the photograph and why I have them displayed.

However, I think it is important to acknowledge that photographs can do a great job of capturing a story. I feel like this happens more when the viewer has more context around what is being photographed. As an example, I can think of pictures taken during the war in Iraq. I have a lot of connotations surrounding the situation which I apply directly to photographs that I see of the scene there. Even if the picture I view is completely unbiased, clearly I am going to have feelings attached to that scene.

Overall, i think it is important to acknowledge both perspectives. A photograph can represent a story to some and just simple a picture to others. From my perspective, I find pictures to invoke a story (or lack thereof) on their own. I do not always find a story in a photograph but sometimes do.