December 16th 1997:

Uncovering/Recovering
Photographic Truth Pt. 2

Reflecting on over a year of Generic Mail, I'd like to return to the concept of truth in photogrphy. In this case, I'd like to explore how the medium influences the senses. It's believed by some that some senses are stronger then others. Well, perhaps. Does that mean as a photographer and artist I place more stock in the sense of sight?

I believe that photography is an inferior means of communication. Ever heard the phrase "a picture (*read photo*) is worth a thousand words." Which words? I say this not to be flip, but even the most overt of subjects can be read differently from the intention of the photogapher... even if they had no intention at all. Take for example the documantary photographer Bill Owens. When he released the photogrphic collection "Suburbia," it was meant not only as a documentary of life in the suburbs, but also as a near-tribute. However when he released the book complete with quotes from the suburbanites, it was read as not a tribute, but as a criticism of the suburban lifestyle. Even when you provide some context that can often times not be enough.

Unfortunately it's difficult to replicate experience. Owens learned this. He didn't try to augment his photogrpahy with other senses, but with more "precise" methods. This backfired. The other senses are often very difficult to include as part of the experience. So, we're left to use photography as what I would consider it's best function, to be used as a pointer.

Truth cannot be realized just by viewing of a photo, we've already proved this point. I do not believe as Minor White did that there is an inherit meaning of a photo itself. they must be viewed by way of context. The photo itself cannot truely be anything more then a simple recording medium of the facts as a scene. Truth must come from an intense and personal relationship with the photo.