It's odd for me to think that I can define truth photographically. Photogrpahy is a very slippery medium that can be manipulated to fit whatever purpose best suits the photographer and the viewer. I used to think that there was a truth to everything that underlies all of science and religion, and I believed that I could share this truth photographically. I thought that I could use the printed image as a pointer to some kind of higher purpose for everyone. But instead, I realize that it can only work for me. In that way I think that photography (forf me) tends to be a more personal medium rather then a gateway to broader understanding. But photography isn't the same to all people. It can be, as I said before, used to manipulate the perception of facts. I know this as I see it every day. From the digitally enhanced models peddling the wares of multi-million dollar corporations, to the retouching of vain actors in extremely expensive movies. Whoever controls photography (and the rest of the media) defines reality. That is part of the reason that I believe that photography doesn't live up to it's potential.
So how does this relate to the title of this article? There was a quote once that "God is in the details." I still think that I can discover the truth photographically, but I'm beginning to doubt that my personal will fit across the board for everyone. For me, the details point to the truth, but the truth isn't about the details. The truth is about what underlies the details. It's "The Big Picture" Needless to say, I'm going to keep photographing. Perhaps I'll find the truth. I can't speak for anyone else.
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A while back (16 months) I talked about truth and my
search for spirituality and truth through the medium of photography. At
this point in time, I don't find myself any closer. It was a novel idea
at the time, but I'm thinking that I should revise my ideas.
I think that my quest for truth in photography is all
the more important. Bringing a new respectability to the medium is a goal
of mine when faced with the omnipresent media. Having just seen the movie
"Wag the Dog," a movie that fortold a similar situation to that
of the President of the United States. In the movie, presidential spin doctors
manipulate the media, spin information, and even fabricate video of a nonexistant
war to distract the public. These days, control of the image, both physical
and figurative play a VERY important factor in control of publice opinion,
and in turn, the public in general.