what is it

tenter10 · 10-14-2011

what is the philosophy of photography? above my pay grade I think. come on now! there is no such thing, you see something you like you take a photo, simple. No deep thinking involved.

Juan Valdenebro · 10-14-2011

Why take photographs of the things we like?

Cheers,

Juan

Doug · 10-15-2011

philosophy -
the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp. when considered as an academic discipline.
• the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience. Example : the philosophy of science.

I don't know if there's a philosophy of happy snaps, but there does seem to be deep and anguished thinking about some aspects of photography.

tenter10 · 10-15-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Valdenebro

Why take photographs of the things we like?

Cheers,

Juan

why eat ?

tenter10 · 10-15-2011

[quote=Doug;1731583]philosophy -
the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp. when considered as an academic discipline.
• the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience. Example : the philosophy of science.

I don't know if there's a philosophy of happy snaps, but there does seem to be deep and anguished thinking about some aspects of photography.

uote] too deep for me, if anguish is involved then it must be bad?

t6un · 10-15-2011

Quote:

if anguish is involved then it must be bad?

-See, you are a philosopher already.

zauhar · 10-15-2011

[quote=tenter10;1731588]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

philosophy -
the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp. when considered as an academic discipline.
• the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience. Example : the philosophy of science.

I don't know if there's a philosophy of happy snaps, but there does seem to be deep and anguished thinking about some aspects of photography.

uote] too deep for me, if anguish is involved then it must be bad?

I am deeply anguished by the poor framing I have been executing with my 21mm lens. That is a trivial issue, but it is causing me real irritation.

No anguish, no gain.

Randy

randolph45 · 10-15-2011

Does photography need a philsosphy?

zauhar · 10-15-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by randolph45

Does photography need a philsosphy?

No human activity NEEDS a philosophy, but since people seek to understand what they are doing and why, it is almost inevitable that it will develop one in every sphere.

That's my interpretation, anyway.

Randy

Jamie123 · 10-15-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenter10

what is the philosophy of photography? above my pay grade I think. come on now! there is no such thing, you see something you like you take a photo, simple. No deep thinking involved.

I think you may be a little confused about what it is that philosophers actually do.

jl-lb.ms · 10-15-2011

One possible interpretation is found in the study of semiotics - the meaning of symbols. There are a few articles that take on the semiotics of images.

tenter10 · 10-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Valdenebro

Why take photographs of the things we like?

Cheers,

Juan

surely you dont want a reminder of something you dislike. jack

tenter10 · 10-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

philosophy -
the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp. when considered as an academic discipline.
• the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience. Example : the philosophy of science.

I don't know if there's a philosophy of happy snaps, but there does seem to be deep and anguished thinking about some aspects of photography.

ok I do not know what you said but it sounds good jack

tenter10 · 10-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie123

I think you may be a little confused about what it is that philosophers actually do.

look at what happened to Socrates.He was a philosopher, right?

Roger Hicks · 10-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by zauhar

No human activity NEEDS a philosophy, but since people seek to understand what they are doing and why, it is almost inevitable that it will develop one in every sphere.

Randy

Dear Randy,

Often as a substitute for everything else.

Not invariably, of course. But often.

Cheers,

R.

Richard G · 10-18-2011

Towards the end of Geoff Dyer's 'The Ongoing Moment' he poses a final statement about the power of a photograph: in viewing it there is the affirmation that you, the viewer, are alive to see what was captured, a survivor of the moment lost, the moment and its inhabitants.

Doug · 10-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G

Towards the end of Geoff Dyer's 'The Ongoing Moment' he poses a final statement about the power of a photograph: in viewing it there is the affirmation that you, the viewer, are alive to see what was captured, a survivor of the moment lost, the moment and its inhabitants.

Richard, thanks; that puts words to a thought.

SimonSawSunlight · 10-18-2011

photography is one hell of a complicated thing. taking a photo usually isn't.

RichC · 10-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonSawSunlight

photography is one hell of a complicated thing. taking a photo usually isn't.

Yes.

Just started an MA degree in photography and the critical theory seminars are doing my head in! (Compensated by Magnum photographer Mark Power being one of my tutors!)

Jamie123 · 10-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenter10

look at what happened to Socrates.He was a philosopher, right?

Sorry for my previous answer. That was very rude of me.

Anyways, to return to your question, let me ask you an analogous one. Does sex need the science of biology? And are biologists who have studied the human reproductive system better lovers? The answer is no and (probably) no.

rxmd · 10-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie123

Anyways, to return to your question, let me ask you an analogous one. Does sex need the science of biology? And are biologists who have studied the human reproductive system better lovers? The answer is no and (probably) no.

Periphrasing a friend of mine who is a singer, "the difference between an artist and an art critic is the same as between a lover and a gynaecologist."

The point of the forum seems to be thinking about photography without thinking about pictures or thinking about gear. I think "philosophy of photography" is just a forum name that was chosen for want of a better idea.

robert blu · 10-19-2011

Simply about emotion

robert

jsrockit · 10-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenter10

what is the philosophy of photography? above my pay grade I think. come on now! there is no such thing, you see something you like you take a photo, simple. No deep thinking involved.

That is your interpretation of photography and not everyones.

bulevardi · 10-19-2011

Capturing light into a small box...
Locking memories for a long time.
Abstract enough?
Carrying a stock of light (or life?) within a small box?
Carrying a stock of burned film (or death?) within a small box...
Black and white unite.