vs Reality
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Copyright Eddie Adams
This photograph is possibly one of the most famous images ever taken, next to the flag raising at Iwo Jima.
My Boonville Project has changed, I am just now coming to understand why and how: Photography is not a document of something, it is manipulated representation of a fictional moment. Reality it is not. How am I supposed to continue creating something that I worked so hard on, and then realize that it cannot and never could be what I wanted? Some may argue this but the reality is, a photographic image can never represent a real moment. Documents are made, yes, but they are manipulated. The photo tells a story, but it is its own story, not the subjects. The viewer is another argument: The viewer judges for themselves what the story tells, in turn, further separating the photo from reality.
Amy Elkins, a fine photographer and blogger raises this question on one of her two blogs, Wanderlustagraphy. I could not help but add my thoughts to it, and then share them with you.
This whole, photography-is-not-a-true-document-of-something thinking really messed with me. Almost instantly after I started this project it changed, I did not know why, so I dealt with it in the only way I knew how, by not dealing with it at all, in turn I had a number of breakdowns. This is over, for now. Because by trying to understand this, and excepting it, I can break the rules and begin to manipulate the true reality of the work in this series. I have begun to insert myself in this work, not necessarily visually, but metaphorically.
Without "me" the photo does not exist; This is true for any photograph, but putting yourself in there, visually, through a title, or just a subtle connection, is enough to bring back the reality you were looking for. It is reality in the most manipulated sense, therefore you are closer to truly connecting with something. It's a paradox!
Pirated Cinemax, Anderson's residence, 1:30am, Boonville, N. Carolina
Take the above image: It couldn't exist unless I was there: sleeping in that room, I turned on the TV, I watched it and then manipulated the situation by documenting it. But, and this is were it gets confusing, because of the situation and the title, I am manipulating the assumed-reality and bringing it closer to an actual document.
The very top image of the young man being shot, was completely manipulated and it never attempts to explain its true flaw. The flaw being that this was set-up, the shooter specifically dragged this guy in the middle of this scene and asked photographers to surround him. He was taken by the presence of the camera, therefore his actions became flawed and manipulated. The famous Iwo Jima photo of the flag raising was also manipulated, just as every other photograph ever taken. It hurts to think about.
posted by Timothy Briner @ 1:40 PM,
2 Comments:
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At October 12, 2007 7:33 AM,
The Photograph said...
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i know how you fell i deal with these thoughts EVERY day and i could do a 50 page dissertation on it if you would like email me you phone #
[email protected]
and i will be happy to talk with you about your fellings. as some one that has shot mostly photoj i wake up every day and have to ask my self this tipe of ting every day. -
At October 12, 2007 1:19 PM,
Wayne Wallace said...
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hmmm, that's some deep thinking
don't know what else to say except just keep doing what you do buddy
don't give up, push through it just like your hallmark assignments.
as photographers we are constantly growing and learning more about what we do
anytime you want to chat I'd be glad to listen, ring ring
