Photograph vs Reality

For as long as I can remember photography was apart of my life. As a kid pictures were taken to remember the big and small moments in life. My family and I would always see someone with a camera at events or family gathering but it never bothered anyone because it was simply the norm. In fact, photography has evolved overtime ranging from picture quality to filter to advanced technology. In other words, a simple photo could be turned into a perfect picture with just a couple adjustments. In the past decade, society has demanded better quality and with advanced technology people can now make a bad photo look presentable.

People take multiple photos to finally get the perfect picture. I mean someone having the right filter, being in the ideal posing position and having a photo taken at the perfect time rarely happens on the first try. I have trouble understanding why people put so much effort into taking the “perfect” picture. When I read Susan Sontag's book "On Photography in Plato's Cave." the author gives explanations on why people take photos and what we get out of it. The main reason people take photos is to record an unforgettable moment like a graduation or traveling to a new part of the world. Society now has a habit of posting those unforgettable moments on social media sites like Instagram and Snapchat. In my selfie, I put a filter to touch up the photo. People all over the world edit photos and then post them on social media so others can like or see the pictures they have taken. People do not just post pictures of themselves some of the photography that is posted online could be of food, art, or loved ones. Viewers give people a like on their social media and in return you like their posts back. Otherwise what Sontag said, " What is written about a person or an event is frankly an interpretation, as are handmade visual statements, like paintings and drawings". Sontag taught me about photography and the true meaning behind a photo. The author also mentions how pictures have evolved overtime. People can hide behind a screen which does not define someone's true figure, but shows the viewers a part of who we are. Sontag describes sharing a photo as, “putting someone self into a certain relation to the world that feels like knowledge and, therefore, like power.

In my opinion, a portrait is a photo that is unique to the owner's eyes. Therefore, only the owner of the photo knows the true meaning behind the photo. There could be so much meaning in one photograph. For example, and why I picked this location, the type of filter, and clothing style. I am a viewer who does not know much about the basics photography. Throughout the world people see these types of photos and never know the meaning behind it. one can have an idea of what the photo is about but never know the true meaning behind it. Sontag did say, "While a painting or a prose description can never be other than a narrowly selective interpretation, a photograph can be treated as a narrowly selective transparency. But despite the presumption of veracity that gives all photographs authority, interest, seductiveness, the work that photographers do is no generic exception to the usually shady commerce between art and truth".

Don't let any image determine who you are as a person in a negative way by comparing yourself to others. Having a strong mindset can lead to positive outcomes. If you have negative thoughts about yourself or you are doubting your decisions just remember they are in the past, so focus on a better future.How I see it is there is only so much time in a day, so do not let an image change how you look at something or someone. There is always a meaning behind an image, painting, or drawing like Sontag said, " While a painting or a prose description can never be other than a narrowly selective interpretation, a photograph can be treated as a narrowly selective transparency."

Back to my two pictures the selfie and the portrait I just wanted to give viewers an understanding of these photographs and the meaning behind it. The first photograph is a selfie that was taken when I was 17. I actually had just got a new phone so, I found my sunglasses and went to look for some good lighting.I liked the picture so I decided to share it on a social media site. However, the second photograph is a portrait of me sitting under a bridge and looking away. The reason why I thought this a good spot was that the lighting, camera angle, and location. Has a lot of meaning behind it. The camera angle that I choose has a purpose which was for 16 year old me to know that it was okay to dream big. I had a love for basketball and I wanted a picture to show how dedicated I once was to the sport. Now I am going to transition to my lighting so you understand why I choose it. The lighting fits with mood of how I was feeling by laying low and focus on other things. The location I have chosen is the most import part of the photograph. My potential was not being seen and it is a chip on my shoulder that I was facing. But eventually I got were I wanted to be in life.

Overall, viewers see different types of picture like selfies and portraits. Society has come a long way in the world. People use to paint a portrait of the family which would take hours, now all we do is take a simple family photo with a click of a button. Susan helped me understand the meanings behind different photography. Reading this book makes me a little more grateful for what I have in life. However, reading and writing about this subject teaches me the important of failing and succeeding.

Work Cited

Sontag, Susan. “In Plato’s Cave.” On Photography, Dell Publishing, 1977, pp. 3-24. Composition Flipped, Michael McGuire, writing101.net/flip/wp-content/resources/documents/sontag-in-platos-cave.pdf.