The Word Becomes Art

Do Indexical Images Tell the Truth? “In both documentary and video journalism, the indexical power of cameras can be harnessed as weapons for truth and shine a light in the darkest of places.” — Sara Merican, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021 During my childhood in the 1970s-1980s it was often said that a camera never lies. The assumption was that a photograph reliably recorded the subject matter as it was. Subsequently, image manipulation has become increasingly accessible, so that now anyone with a smartphone and a few apps can do it. The idea that a photograph is always true to life has rapidly become outdated. However, the appetite for objective photography remains, as evidenced by the quote above.  In its introduction to Project 5: Photography 1, the OCA introduces “…the idea that a photograph is ‘indexical’, meaning that it has a direct physical relationship to its object. An image that is excessively manipulated is no longer, strictly speaking, ‘Indexical’”. They add that many new...

Following feedback I’ve edited my Critical Review. I added a different sort of indexical photograph and a paragraph on early photography. I included my photos of stones. I created a bibliography. For some reason the footnotes and images didn’t come across when I copied the essay here. They are in the document though, and I will submit that as a separate document.  Do Indexical Images Tell the Truth? “In both documentary and video journalism, the indexical power of cameras can be harnessed as weapons for truth and shine a light in the darkest of places.” — Sara Merican, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021 During my childhood in the 1970s-1980s it was often said that a camera never lies. The assumption was that a photograph reliably recorded the subject matter as it was. Subsequently, image manipulation has become increasingly accessible, so that now anyone with a smartphone and a few apps can do it. The idea that a photograph is always true to life has rapidly become outdated. However, the appetit...

In Project 7 there is a task inviting further thought and 150 words on our Critical Review. This seems excessively laborious, so I have gone ahead and written my Critical Review.  …   Do Indexical Images Tell the Truth? “In both documentary and video journalism, the indexical power of cameras can be harnessed as weapons for truth and shine a light in the darkest of places.” — Sara Merican, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021 During my childhood in the 1970s-1980s it was often said that a camera never lies. The assumption was that a photograph reliably recorded the subject matter as it was. Subsequently, image manipulation has become increasingly accessible, so that now anyone with a smartphone and a few apps can do it. The idea that a photograph is always true to life has rapidly become outdated. However, the appetite for objective photography remains, as evidenced by the quote above.  In its introduction to Project 5: Photography 1, the OCA introduces “…the idea that a photograph...

This exercise was more challenging than I anticipated, and, therefore, has been quite time consuming. The task sounded quite simple: to find a view with depth and take a series of 5 or 6 photos, gradually zooming in. Then to create a final image for my sequence. I found a place in the park’s walled garden which I thought would work well, as there is a series of wooden structures, against which plants have been trained, along a path which leads to the arched exit from the garden. Initially I saw it when I was out without my camera, so I took a series of images on my phone. I didn’t plan to use them for this exercise but I wanted to get a feel for whether the choice of location would work  I didn’t choose any particular settings for these photos, except for gradually zooming in. I had two sources of frustration: firstly, the lines or the vertical struts, the cross pieces and the paving slabs were all at different angles. It was hard to compose the photos because if I lined up any one...

During the unit we need to work on and submit a Critical Review. It can be in the form either of a 1000 word essay, or an 8 minute presentation such as a PowerPoint presentation. As I access Zoom via my iPad I can’t screen share, therefore I will write an essay.  I didn’t have much idea about the subject matter, except that it needs to be small, given that 1000 words is barely any words at all. I had thought that I might do something around Art Nouveau, seeing as I’ve been pursuing my interest in this genre as I’ve been working on this unit. Then, two days ago, I was asked to reflect on an image created by Hildegard of Bingen, and, as well as many other thoughts, I was struck by the similarities that exist between Hildegard’s work and that of Mucha eight centuries later, particularly in the form of decorative borders and forms within their images. I’m curious about what unites them in their creative processes, and what factors in their personalities or culture might lead them to th...