Andre Bazin Reading

After reading the insert from Bazin and listening in on the discussion from class, I have certainly formed an opinion on Bazin's words about photography. To my understanding, Bazin was trying to convey two simple messages, that photography is beautiful and that photography is psychologically sound. Bazin stated that photography can surpass art in creative power, which I very much agree with. I do believe that it is more difficult to take a beautiful image than paint a beautiful painting. In order for one to capture a beautiful photograph, one must first find a beautiful subject, which could very based on individual's opinion on beauty. Bazin also stated that photography is more psychology sound than a painting. This statement confused me at first, but after I was given the example of using a picture of a subject with a murder weapon versus a drawing of a subject with a murder weapon, it made much more sense to me. I also agree with Bazin, in saying that more people trust the elements of a photograph than in a painting, for they know that the elements of a photograph are true, to some extent.

I do not agree with Bazin's statement that photography is not utilitarian anymore. Utilitarianism is described as a doctrine that actions are right if they are useful for the majority. I believe that a photograph is still and will continue to be right for the majority. Most people enjoy a good photograph, and though a photograph might damage a few people's pride and reputation, a photograph is typically enjoyed in masses.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tom Gunning - An Aesthetics of Astonishment

From the attraction of a movie to scenography of a film, Tom Gunning discusses how movies appear to people, and how every element of a movie is important. Gunning focuses on the attraction of the film mostly, stating how it "address the audience directly." It engages the viewer, peaking their curiosity, making them want to watch even more. Though the language was slightly confusing, I interpreted Gunning stating that even in the early films about a train car coming toward the camera, and people being terrified to watch more, people would still watch the films, despite being scared, because of the curiosity, the want to know what occurs in the film. This is still used today in modern horror movies, as often times people want to look away from the screen, but they simply cannot due to the fact that they most know what happens next.
Read more

Dorsky's Devotional Cinema

Dorsky draws on elements of human perspective, vision, emotional response and the artistic merit of various cinematography to illustrate the sensations of a 'devotional' cinematic experience. Certain films can evoke the feelings of their own world, a full universal order, emotions and sensations trapped on the ramifications of the screen. It seems thats the type of visual experience Dorsky would describe as devotional. Certainly those films engross, and offer a perspective of the world thats similar to our own interpretation of the world. However, these are not the only types of valuable, and emotionally impactful films. Dorsky describes how documentaries can have a disconnect between the visual style and the narration. If the footage was captured as field recordings, it's nearly impossible to correlate the necessary audio backing to the footage shown. These type of films can still offer valuable insight into our perspective, construct a world, and absorb with their own exi
Read more