The Growth of Photography in Graphic Arts: from Black-and-White Photography to Modern Photography - Essay Example

Reflective Journal on The growth and development of Photography within Graphic Arts: from Black-and-White Photography to Modern Photography Description: The growth and development of photography within Graphic Arts, especially from Black-and-White Photography to Modern Photography, is quite interesting because the same is symbolic of the influence of different theories and approaches related to photography as a genre of art. To be specific, the origin of photography as Black-and-White Photography and its transformation to cinematography did not affect photography’s independent growth and development. For instance, the origin of photography resulted in the origin of ideography, motion picture, and cinematography. Still, all these genres within art are different and independent. One can see that cinematography cannot surpass the scope of still-photography because both the genres share certain basic elements but differs in visual representation. It is interesting to go through the growth and development of photography because the change in the medium (say, from film to digitalization) did not affect its status within the modern world. When black-and-white photography transformed into colour photography, most of the photographers accepted and made use of the same to unleash their artistic creativity. Similarly, the change in the use of films to digital technology did not affect photography because photographers were ready to accept digital technology. Still, some photographers consider that nothing can withstand the scope of black-and-white films within photography. Similarly, digitalization and the use of digital cameras revolutionized the scenario of photography because the same reduced time consumption while developing a photograph. Still, the contemporary theories related to photography confirms photography’s role in forming national and cultural identities in general. Interpretation: This interpretation is broadly divided as: Historical Photography, Modern/Contemporary Photography, importance: (relevance, entertainment value, and usefulness), similarities and differences, and exploration/explanation: contemporary theories and Historical Photography and Modern/Contemporary Photography. Historical photography Portrait Photography: August Sander One can see that August Sander (1876 –1964) revolutionized the scenario of Portrait Photography because he is termed as the backbone of Portrait Photography in German context. To be specific, his earlier experience in mining and military service helped him to have deep knowledge in human character and to make use of the same in his later works. But one need not misunderstand that August Sander’s photographic works are limited to Portrait Photography. Instead, his main themes include natural landscapes and cross-section of human life. Still, his series of photographs named as People of the 20th Century helped him to gain prominence within the history of Portrait Photography. Marien (2006, p.289) states that, ‘He planned to have forty-five portfolios, each consisting of twelve related images that would be collectively called People of the 20th Century’. Besides, this series is symbolic of the photographer’s attempt to expose the cultural and national identity of Germans under Weimar Republic. One can see that August Sander provided ample importance to each and every section of his society in his series of photographs. To be specific, the photographer tries to go beyond the limits of Portrait Photography as a conventional mode of still-photography and tires to amalgamate the same with national and cultural identities in general. Landscape photography: John Davies Generally, landscape photography is considered as a mode of artistic expression with less complexity. But John Davies’s (1949- ) photographic works are exceptional within landscape photography because the same is based upon his tiresome effort to document the British landscape. Wells (2011, p.170) makes clear that, ‘In 1987 John Davies referenced in his title, A Green and Pleasant Land, for a series in which challenged the rural idyll through applying picturesque modes to industrial and post-industrial landscape’. To be specific, his photographs cannot be considered as the outcome of the photographer’s interest in landscapes with scenic beauty. Instead, his photographs act the role of visual representation of the change in British landscape through ages. Besides, his earlier life in rural and industrial areas helped him to observe and extract the differences between rural and industrial landscapes in Britain. This keen observation helped him later to make use of this basic difference in landscapes to get involved in documentation projects. On the other side, he did not try to be conservative within the scenario of photography because he used medium, large, and digital cameras to unleash his artistic creativity and to create awareness on the after-effects of industrialization on landscapes in general. Black-and-white photography: Sally Mann One can see that black-and-white photography is symbolic of the origin of photography as a different genre within art. Even some modern photographers are not yet ready to give up black-and-white photography because the same is symbolic of a photographer’s genuine interest in photography. Within the scenario of black-and-white photography, Sally Mann’s (1951-) works are exceptional because the same sticks on to conventionalism and innocence of childhood. Friedlander (2009, p.93) states that, ‘Mann’s work has been mired in controversy, in large part, because her images not only complicate the usual understandings of childhood innocence but also trouble the common expectation of photographic innocence’. Her collection of photographs, named as At Twelve: Portraits of Young Women, is symbolic of how feminine identity is formed during adolescent age and the confusion faced by adolescent girl children in general. One can see that nudity is an important characteristic of Sally Mann’s photographic works and one can guess that she considered nudity as purity and innocence. For instance, her collection of works named as Immediate Family represents her urge to portray childhood and feminine life from a different angle. So, Sally Mann’s works can be evaluated as the by-product of her positive attitude towards the artist’s role in the society, but beyond the limits of feminine identity. Family portraits: Thomas Struth Within the development of photography from Black-and-white era to digital photography, one cannot ignore the historical importance of family portraits. To be specific, family portraits help individuals to go back to their past and to contemplate on private moments related to their private domains. The family portraits and black-and-white photos by Thomas Struth (1954- ) are symbolic of human interest in preserving past moments. Besides, Thomas Struth’s works are genuine because he did not provide any importance to digital manipulation. This is important within photography because digital manipulation is one among the main features of contemporary photography. His series of photographs on historical monuments and museums are renowned for novelty because he provided importance to the historical importance of the same. Sager (2007, p.26) states that, ‘From 1989 to 2001, the German photographer Thomas Struth traveled to museums in six different countries to take photographs of people looking at pictures within the context of a museum’. This sort of amalgamation of history with photography is the key element of Thomas Struth’s success as a photographer. Still, he did not give up his interest in family portraits because his family portrait on Queen Elizabeth II proves so. Modern/Contemporary Photography Celebrity/advertising photos: Michael Muller One can see that modern/contemporary photography is the by-product of innovation within photography, aiming to go beyond the limits of historical photography in general. Lindstrom (2012, p.154) opines that, ‘Studies have also shown that when celebrities appear in advertisements or endorse products, not only do we perceive the brand message as more authentic, but it also enhances our recognition and recall of the product in question’. To be specific, celebrity/advertising photos is one among the modes of modern/contemporary photography. Michael Muller’s (1970- ) photographic works are symbolic of the rapid development of photography, especially within modern/contemporary photography. His photographs consist of celebrities and the same is mainly used for advertisement purpose in general. Some famous singers choose his photographs as their album cover because they are aware of the economic importance and value of the same. For instance, the music album by Rihanna, named as Unapologetic consists of Michael Muller’s photograph. Besides, his works prove that how photography is influenced by the world of advertisement and celebrity life. Similarly, his unique photographs are popular among magazines and the same is symbolic of its importance within the business world. Professional sports photography: Adam Pretty At the same time, professional sports photography is unavoidable in the modern/contemporary photography because the same amalgamates the scope of still-photography with business interest. One can see that success in professional sports photography is related to a photographer’s ability to react to unexpected moments in professional sports. Frakes (2013, p.135) opines that, ‘Add reflexes and knowledge of the games, and you have the recipe for being a good sports photographer’. Here, technical perfection is most important because the same determines the economic value of a photograph. Adam Pretty’s photographs are noteworthy because his works are renowned for technical perfection. He started his profession as an amateur freelancer and his ability to go beyond the limits of conventional photography helped him to gain popularity as professional sports photographer. His career at Getty Images helped him to serve as one among the main photographers at Athens Olympics (2014). So, one can see that professionalism and technical perfection, apart from genuine interest and talent, plays the most important role in modern/contemporary photography. Importance: From a different angle of view, the importance of photography is related to its capacity to preserve historical moments for future generations. One can see that photographs help human beings ponder over past events and the same is the relevance of photography as an art within the mainstream society. Besides, the modern world is aware of the entertainment value of photography. Today, even amateur photographers can create photographs with technical perfection with ease. On the other side, professional photographers provide importance to the value of photography because they are aware of the importance of their profession. Still, photography can be considered as an innovative mode to collect and preserve evidence because the same is a solid proof. Even courts consider photographs as evidences because the authenticity of photographs cannot be denied. In short, the scope of photography is not limited within the sphere of entertainment, but extends to other fields like crime investigation, historical research etc. Similarities and differences One can see that the development of photography from Black-and-White Photography to Modern Photography unmasks a number of similarities and differences. For instance, Black-and-White Photography provides ample importance to the value and significance of photographs. On the other side, modern photography provides importance to technical perfection. Besides, the origin and development of digital photography within modern photography reduced complexity within the sphere of photography. Still, one cannot deny the historical significance of Black-and-White Photography because the same is the symbol of the process of development within the sphere of photography. Similarly, historical photography provides ample importance the value of photographs and the photographer’s artistic creativity. On the other side, modern photography provides importance to the economic value of photography. This basic difference is enough to prove that the importance of photography in the modern society. Exploration/explanation: Within the scenario of visual arts, formalism provides less importance to conceptual aspects of art and projects its historical and cultural aspects. When the theory of Anti-Formalism is superimposed into the scenario of photography, it is evident that this theory can be helpful to evaluate the development of photography from historical and cultural views. Zangwill (2001, p.102) states that, ‘Anti-Formalism has become the consensus in aesthetics’. On the other side, Formalistic view of visual arts is that evaluation must be based upon an artwork’s content, not upon its background information. But it is difficult to evaluate a photograph on its content only because historical and cultural aspects help photographs to be free from prejudice and misunderstanding. Besides, research on an artist’s (say, photographer) background, his/her social/cultural background can unmask several hidden facts related to an artwork (say, photograph). Wright (2004, p.38) states that, ‘Thus all photographs will contain information about the subject (realism), the medium (formalism) and will contain clues to the intentions behind the production of the image (expressionism)’. So, contemporary theories can be helpful to evaluate the origin and development of photography from a different angle. Outcome: As far as I am concerned, I have learned that the origin and development of photography is symbolic of the human urge to go beyond the limits of time element. To be specific, photography helps human beings to realize how past influences human deeds. When one views a photograph, one is able to perceive its historical and cultural importance. Besides, photographers make use of their works as an innovative mode to communicate with their viewers. When a photographer selects a historically important theme, he/she is trying share his/her views with the viewers. Besides, genuinely created photographs are entirely different from technically perfect photographs because technical perfection cannot surpass authenticity. In short, I have learned that the rapid development within the scenario of photography resulted in technically perfect photographs, but the same diminishes the scope of novelty. For sure, the difference in perceiving the essence of photography within Graphic Arts will influence my future work. To be specific, now I know that the growth and development of Photography from Black-and-White Photography to digital photography is related to the human passion to attain immortality through solid visualization. Within this scenario, a photographer must be ready to accept change and innovation. Besides, a genuine photographer must realize the fact that he/she is with responsibility towards the society and it must reflect in his/her works. In short, I will try to combine conventionalism and modernity within photography into a single entity and it will help me to go beyond the limits within photography. References Friedlander, J 2009, Feminine Look: Sexuation, Spectatorship, Subversion, SUNY Press, Albany. Frakes B 2013, Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, Peachpit Press, U.S. Lindstrom M 2012, Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy, Kogan Page Publishers, n.p. Marien, M W 2006, Photography: A Cultural History, Laurence King Publishing, London. Sager LM 2007, Writing and Filming the Painting: Ekphrasis in Literature and Film, ProQuest, Ann Arbor. Wells, L 2011, Land Matters: Landscape Photography, Culture and Identity, I.B.Tauris, New York. Wright T 2004, The Photography Handbook, Psychology Press,Cornwall. Zangwill N 2001, The Metaphysics of Beauty, Cornell University Press, New York. Read More