John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
This passage from the book of John in the Bible (King James Version)is quoted in many places, from churches to the main entrance of the CIA. As the knowledge-based world expands in scope, it is ever more important to understand its message.
We are all searchers for the truth in our own way. Photography aids us in our journey of discovery of the world around us and our inner selves.
The photograph begins with the photographer's selection of a particular portion of the visual field to photograph. Post-processing allows for a varying degree of additional work, from minimal optimization of the image to creative digital manipulation that further extends the photographer's creative vision. The photograph ends up being sold, shared and/or exhibited or sits in lonely silence on some hard drive. The process of generating a photograph is transformative.
There is the saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words". Imagery is conceptual. We see the image, internalize it and make an association with one or more concepts. Our minds do this seamlessly. An image with a number of concepts may thus evoke a number of reactions. Some images may express opposing concepts in the same image, leading to conflicting reactions. Since we process what we see internally, the interesting challenge is to understand consciously the messages that images may be providing on an unconscious level.
Our ability to process visual representations, make associations and to draw conclusions allows us to navigate in this conceptual space we "inhabit" in our quest for the truth. There is more and more information to process, with varied and often conflicting messages. Knowledge of photography gives us tools to understand the impact of visual content. Photography is a vital part of our journey as we grow to appreciate its diversity and vitality, enjoy its visual pleasures and reap the benefit of the knowledge it brings.
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