Entries #5, 6, and 7

#5 “Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.” ~Edward Steichen



“I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul.” ~Mary Ellen Mark







I feel that, as according to Edward Steichen, photography is a major force in explaining man to man.  An image well captured can describe and record emotions and feelings that cannot be described in words.  It allows us to communicate with those of the past, by seeing images from history.  Having heard of the myth that a photograph takes a piece of one's soul, i wondered a bit at the idea behind it.  I understand the importance that Mary Ellen Mark is emphasizing on honesty in photography, so that you the individual in a portrait may shine.  However, i feel that sometimes it is not necessary to inform the subject of your exact thoughts when taking a photo because sometimes it is that element of the unknown that can change the outcome.

#6 In your opinion, when is it beneficial, ethical, or appropriate to digitally alter photographic portraits? When do you think it is inappropriate or ethically wrong?

I think that it can be beneficial in correcting minor flaws in complexion or softening edges that seem awkward.  I think it is ethical to a certain extent, however there is a limit.  I feel that it is inappropriate and unethical to digitally alter the size or shape of one's body to what is "ideal".  It creates a false image/representation of the subject, and has the possibility to create impossible or unhealthy ideas among those influenced by the image.  I also believe that photography shouldn't rely on digital alterations, but on the ability to capture the beauty that already exists in a subject.

#7 Pay close attention to the types and number of photographic portraits you see in one day. Where did you see them? How do you think that the content of the portrait changes based on the context in which you see the image (news, facebook, magazine, advertisement, television, youtube, etc)? In other words, what is the difference between the portraits you see on facebook vs. those on the news? What is the difference between the “viewpoint” of the photographer in each situation? What is the difference between their “intents”?

I see photographic portraits most often on facebook, billboards, magazines and advertisements. They exist all around campus, school, and at home.  The portraits i see on facebook may be snapshots of an event, candid shots, or posed.  Those on magazines and advertisements are often set up to sell a product, emphasizing on the product not on the person.  The viewpoint of the photographer is typically at a 3rd person observing point of view for the news, capturing candid moments or events in action in order to report what is or has happened. The viewpoint of a photographer on facebook varies, because the "intent" of the photographer isn't necessarily to tell a story about what happened in one image. They can be goofy photos from a webcam, just for fun, or they could be posed images from a night out, to record important stuff like everyone's cute outfits... :P