Blog Question #19-21

Blog Prompt #19

Can you think of anything that:

1)            Should not be photographed? Why?

As I think of this question, Every time I think of something that should not be photographed I re-think that maybe there would be a purpose for someone else to photograph it.  For example, suffering children, death, or destruction.  We can learn by photographing these subjects.  Maybe it would make more sense to say not to photograph scenes that depict exploitation because exploitation is harmful.

2)            Cannot be photographed? Why?

I’m not sure there is anything that cannot be photographed.  I suppose the senses cannot be photographed, sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Not without manipulation of some sort.  Because they are intangible would be the reason they are not photographable. 

3)   You do not want to photograph? Why?

I would not want to photograph people or subjects that don’t want to be photographed.  I believe you should have complete permission to photograph a subject. I feel it would be disrespectful not to honor their wishes.

Blog Prompt #20

“We therefore consume images fleetingly and randomly. It takes very special pictures to grasp and hold our attention. We need to be seduced by images that outdo reality through excessiveness—as in advertising and movies”

(Constructed Realities: The Art of Staged Photography Edited by Michael Kohler).

What do you think about this quote? I feel this quote is very accurate.  Americans have been exposed to more every generation, which in turn makes advertisements, movies, photographs and art more explicit as time goes on.  I believe we do need and expect to be seduced by an image to keep our attention. 

How do you think that our lives are changing as the speed of our interaction with photographic images grows? Our interaction with images is growing as technology grows.  This technology changes peoples lives and not always for the better.  Like I mentioned in the previous prompt, because of the need to be mesmerized by images, someone, art, advertisements are trying to shock or out-do one another by pushing the envelope to the extreme.  If you think about the 50’s you would think of a very apple pie America because this is what images portrayed.  However if you think of the 2000’s your image is very different.  I think this type of change is due to technology.

What are your thoughts on “Infotainment” and how it affects our lives?

Infotainment as first glance seems to be twisted reality.  I feel that some of the best movies are a mix of fact with fiction added.  I can understand how this seems like lying especially if you where to question the main character in the fact based story.  However, real life or factual points are not always interesting so the enhancement of an image or advertisement is needed.  I think this affects our lives negatively.  Having to live up to fiction is nearly impossible.

How does it affect the way we see and understand “reality”?

It affects what we see negatively.  We start to confuse what is real and important with what is fake, fiction, and unimportant.  For example, 20 something females in Hollywood getting 10 plastic surgeries to live up to images that are not real.  Images portrayed perfecting because of manipulation and infotainment.

How does it affect photography in general?

I don’t think infotainment affects photography in general.  Photography is more of an expected creative subject.  Images are expected to be manipulated and trickery for the eye, especially in certain settings.   Of course, portraits and more formal settings it would not pertain too. 

Blog Prompt #21

1. In what ways do you “construct” your identity? In what ways do you “perform” in your daily life?Construction of identity starts by making decisions for yourself and taking responsibly for your actions would be one way.  So I suppose that starts at a very young age.  You build your identity through years of experiences, and learning the path you want to take.  The way of performance would be reaching the goals you have set.  Learning from experiences and the way you handle adversity is what I would consider daily life performance.

2. Describe some ways in which your personal culture and social environments are “constructed”.Personal culture construction would include family traditions.  For example, eating dinner every evening at 6:00 p.m. to holiday traditions as attending midnight Christmas mass.  Social environments that are constructed would be holidays, voting, and other social events.

3. Describe some ways in which your physical environment/space is “constructed”.One-way my physical environment is constructed is football.  Daily and weekly schedule are constant.  Another way my physical environment is constructed are daily activities like eating, cleaning, and walking.

4. In your daily life, what would you consider to be “real” and what would you consider to be “constructed/fabricated”?I think spontaneity is probably the best definition of real to me.   Not planning anything and doing what I want at that very minute.  I really feel most of my life is constructed, for example, daily life chores.  These things are real but are all constructed, from waking up by a constructed alarm clock to attend a constructed class followed by constructed football practice ending with a constructed shower, homework and sleep.