Thinking Photography

Thinking about the purpose of the photograph that you are taking is essential in photography. Why is it interesting? Why would people want to see it?

"For the functionalist there exists a why, a wherefore, as well as what and how. That is what makes a work into a 'cause', i.e.an instrument of purposeful effect." (Quote from Novy Lef, quoted in Burgin 1982:179)

Taking photographs as 'status updates' relies upon the narcissistic principle of assuming that people will want to see your photograph. What is the point of photographs that are not interesting? Is this principle destroying the medium of photography itself? Look at the photograph before you take it - does it have a punctum? Is there a meaning behind it that you are attempting to convey, or is it merely a studium with no focus or purpose?

I must ensure that my photographs are taken purposefully, and that they will achieve their desired function: to inspire people into being more imaginative, like our ancestors, rather than blindly believing that they have seen all this world has to offer. To focus more upon the future than to dwell upon the past is important, but important lessons can only be learnt by looking back. Ancient fables and fairytales are still told to children today because they teach essential lessons so effectively, there is no reason to stop telling the same tales. Equally, we all still learn about the mythical creatures featured in Sussex Myths and Folktales, because they still inspire such interest in people today. We have not yet surpassed believing, however hesitantly, that there might just have been some truth in these stories.

I do not believe that the medium of photography will ever die. Truly aesthetically pleasing photographs will never lose their beauty, and people will never lose their captivation with such images. Photographs as political points as well, as showing changes both throughout the world and over time, will always be useful as historical record, to be used in the future. Vernacular photography teaches us about the past, with each photograph telling its own story.

-Burgin, V. (1982) 'Chapter 8: Photography, Phantasy, Function' in Thinking Photography. London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 177-219.