A Philosophy of Photography - By Vilem Flusser
Flusser’s hypothesis in his essay, A Philosophy of Photography, is that human civilization has seen two fundamental turning points since its beginning of time. One being the invention of writing, the other the invention of technical images. Technical images in this case can refer to digital media, or more specifically for this class, photography. Because of these two discoveries, humanity has gone through changes in its structure and way of life.
Flusser wants to create a discussion or a thought provoking ideas to his audience about how important photography is to the human race, society, and the individual mind.
Flusser states, “Images are significant surfaces”. It’s the concept of rendering something imaginable to others. It is taking something from the four dimensional world around us and minimizing it down into just two dimension. Images can have different meanings, not just what we see on the surface. Our eyes scan the image trying to understand the image or find symbols within the meaning of the image. These images were originally meant to render the world to man, however Flusser also states they, “...interpose themselves between man and the world”. Instead of finding our own way in the world, we now rely more on images, and having an imagination, is more of an illusion.
Conceptualization is a word used both in creating text and images. Both text and images have a competing yet complex relationship with one another. Flusser uses new vocabulary to describe concepts and words we normally use day by day. One word as an example is apparatus. This is what the technical image is created from. One might say our cameras are the apparatus. He then discusses what a image objective really is. It is not a physical image, but rather a window that transports its viewer into a new world. Trying to find the objectivity or point of an image is a delusion. We search for symbols in all types of writing and images. However in order to fully understand these symbols and meanings we would have to get inside the head of the painter, writer, or photographer. The viewers will always take something away from the image that might not be the original concept.
Photography was invented in the 19th century. One significant concept Flusser talks about how technical images were meant for reintroducing images into life, render hermetic texts, and render subliminal magic. However he states that these images don’t function this way, because of how people will always perceive things in their own ways. With different apparatuses and images, it has also become impossible for one to escape from them.
An apparatus is an object which makes itself ready for something in preparation. It can be used for many different things, as well as cultural, skillful, and conceptual projects. There are two types of culture projects that Flusser talks about. One is good for consumption, while the other is good for production. They are both valuable in their own ways. These apparatus tools humans use were originally made for man and that these machines were surrounded by men, but Flusser talks about how this view has changed over time, becoming the opposite. With the invention of apparatuses, society became split with the “haves” and “have nots”, or the capitalists versus the proletarians. He asks the view whether in art and photography if their is a division of class.
Cameras are not meant to change the world they are meant to change the meaning of the world in a symbolic manner. With the advancement of the camera through time, this has also affected the photographer/artist, also called a functionnaire. Digital cameras today have become so advanced that photographers don’t always have to focus on the technical details, and can now focus on the overall image and meaning they want to portray.
Flusser states, “the photographic camera illustrates this robotization of work, as well as the liberation of man for playing”. I completely agree with this message. He also mentions that no apparatus, such as a camera or software is perfect.
I thought Flusser’s essay, A Philosophy of Photography was a thought provoking read. It made me think outside the box about images and their meanings. I also learned many new vocabulary words when it comes to a philosophy standpoint. Flusser makes the reader delve into history while also thinking about the future of the human race, as well as the journey for photographers and artists. It is clear the the invention and idea of photography has made a huge impact for the human race as well as its future viewpoints and actions.
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