The Ontology of the Photographic Image André Bazin; Hugh Gray Film Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 4. (Summer, 1960), pp. 4-9.http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0015-1386%28196022%2913%3A4%3C4%3ATOOTPI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0
This piece of writing speaks about multiple things relating to the artistic world and their relations with one another. The section I focused on was the discussion of how painting has transitioned to photography, the meaning behind this and their overall purpose.The writer discusses how photography differs from painting, as it gives artistic freedom to the imagery, without ‘intervention’ from the artist.
INTERESTING QUOTES AND A REFLECTION OF THEM:
(1)”No one believes any longer in the ontological identity of model and image, but all are agreed that the image helps us to remember the subject and to preserve him from a second spiritual death.”
In philosophical terms, ontology defines the theory or something’s existence. In this case, it is the existence of model and image, or the subject of the imagery we see. This quote suggests that we no longer try to decipher why they were there, but understand that they were, to reflect on them and preserve them in that state as they are no longer there. Photography is a preservation of time and moments.
(2)”…photography has freed the plastic arts from their obsession with likeness. Painting was forced, as it turned out, to offer us illusion and this illusion was reckoned sufficient unto art.”
This quote refers to the ‘plastic arts’, relating to art forms such as photography, painting, and sculpture. The discussion is that photography has ‘freed’ these other art forms from an ‘obsession’ with likeness – perhaps referring to the way in which they are trying to replicate things, for example in paintings, we often try to replicate objects or surroundings to create imagery of it. It speaks of how painting was used to create the illusion of a space, where as photography doesn’t do that, it captures the exact space without manipulating the scene.
(3)”…photography is not the perfecting of a physical process (photography will long remain the inferior of painting in the reproduction of color) ; rather does it lie in a psychological fact, to wit, in completely satisfying our appetite for illusion by a mechanical reproduction in the making of which man plays no part.”
At a time when colour photography wasn’t yet created, it was interesting to see how it was called ‘inferior’ to painting on this basis. Or the fact that within painting, the artist must create their own colour palette to reflect the scene of the painting, showing creativity and skill not many are able to produce. It also speaks of how photography is not on the same creative platform in the art world as painting is, as it requires no help from ‘man’ or the artist, to create illusion, however still being satisfactory. At this time, it is clear to me that photography was not yet explored through all creative and artistic possibilities, as us photographers now often manipulate and create imagery which allows the audience to explore and create wider understanding.
(4)”For the first time an image of the world is formed auto- matically, without the creative intervention of man. The personality of the photographer enters into the proceedings only in his selection of the object to be photographed and by way of the purpose he has in mind. Although the final result may reflect something of his personality, this does not play the same role as is played by that of the painter.”
Again, this quote discusses how the photographer’s creativity and artistic ability is only shown through what they choose to photograph, as the camera was just seen as an automatic piece of machinery, not a tool of creation. The photographer is again compared to the painter, who is seen as above the photographer, still at this time, regarding creative and artistic ability to create. However, it does allow for the photographer to be able to show some of their personality through their work.This time in history, where photography was becoming widely recognised, shows massive creative change in how we view the art form today. The camera is the tool to create beautiful pieces of art, but the photographer is the tool to the creation of those pieces. Photography is being able to correctly use a piece of equipment – which has progressively changed over time – pairing with artistic vision by the photographer, to create moving and substantial pieces of artwork, many of which have rocked the art world.
(5)”The photographic image is the object itself, the object freed from the conditions of time and space that govern it.”
This quote discusses how what was the original subject matter of the photographic image, is simply transformed into the image. Disregarding its original position and purpose, it becomes the image and transforms its previous meaning. Making it free of all previous conditions, allowing it to live out another life – which I think is one of the main purposes of the photographic art form.
(6)”…For photography does not create eternity, as art does, it embalms time, rescuing it simply from its proper corruption.”
I find this quote interesting, as it suggests that photography doesn’t create eternity, but embalms time. This to my understanding means, taking imagery using the photographic art form, is a way of capturing one specific moment in time and holds it there, never to get younger or older, captured still and memorable. Possibly differing from the painstaking art form of painting, which is created over time and lasts. The bit that challenges this is when it suggests photography ‘rescues’ the subject, possibly meaning that the moment is transformed into a new way of viewing the moment. Although all of this is a beautiful way of looking at it, the quote still doesn’t refer to photography as ‘art’, which is disagree with wholeheartedly. Art is a way of viewing the world though the eyes of people you don’t know, using materials you may or may not be familiar with, but any creation made is art.
(7)”…it has freed Western painting, once and for all, from its obsession with realism and allowed it to recover its aesthetic autonomy.”
This quote to me, simply allows photography to have rescued artists from an obsession with realism, as what is taken in the images is perceived as the real world. In today’s day and age, we know that it is not necessarily the truth, as photographers and artist can manipulate meaning to imagery, which once was not considered.
(8)”…the photograph allows us on the one hand to admire in reproduction something that our eyes alone could not have taught us to love…”
I saved this quote till last because I felt very connected to it. It suggests that photography allows us to appreciate a moment / subject / item for longer, as we can hold onto its momentary meaning forever once captured. Anyone who looks at imagery knows that the moment has passed, knowing that the original meaning for the image has gone – whatever it was. Whether it’s 10 minutes or 10 years after viewing the image, your heart and mind seem somewhat more connected to it, for whatever reason. Photography has that within the art form, to allow you to reflect and revisit past experiences with an open heart, as the meaning has changed, but your fondness towards the moment captured, has not.
FREQUENT TERMINOLOGY USED:
PLASTIC ARTS – art forms such as painting, sculpture, ceramics and film.
PSUEDO-REALISM – “is a term used in a variety of discourses connoting artistic and dramatic techniques, or work of art, film and literature perceived as superficial, not-real, or non-realistic.” – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudorealism
FINAL THOUGHTS
My thoughts after reading this are that: the meaning behind photography as an art form has transformed completely since this was written, to me anyway. I feel it was still not recognised as a true art form compared to the ‘greats’ – hands on creation like painting or sculpture – but almost getting there. However, it was within the discussion of the changing of times, how the future of art is changing and transitioning with new technologies becoming available.The piece left me feeling more connected to my art form than ever, reminding me why I love it and wanted to pursue it so much as a career. In my opinion, Photography is a useful tool, spread wide open with it’s technological pasts of analogue and digital progression. It becomes more useful however, with an artist being director of shots, knowing what best to capture and why. It allows moments to be transformed and created, holding new meaning to the audience, allowing for sentimental values to be added to the creation.
Emily Ryder 