New forum: The Philosophy of Photography.

philosophy = pursuit of wisdom and knowledge

[Thanks to philg for making it so easy.]

This forum is aimed at helping us to think about photography. To think about the harder questions. Technical issues ('how') are addressed elsewhere, this explores the nebulous issues ('why').

Topics do not have to be questions. Indeed, there will rarely be direct answers to these issues. Rather, I hope to promote discussions and dialogue, to explore the aesthetics and ethics, to analyse and synthesise.

Is this forum for experts only? No way! You are welcome to start a new topic, or respond to one, whether you have been a photographer for 20 years or 20 days. Or even if you've never picked up a camera.

Topics might include, for example:

• relationships between photography and other art forms/media
• the role of still photography in this world of MTV
• how much damage do beautiful photographs do to the photographed?
• was photographer X better than photographer Y?
• has anyone heard of photographer Z?
• how should I get inspiration?
• the ethics of street photography
• please look at my photographs, and let me know what you think
• I think sharpness is vital
• I think sharpness is pointless

Topics that will be ruthlessly deleted include, for example:

• how should I photograph a painting? (try photo.net)

• how long should I develop Delta 3200 in D76? (try one of the forums in B&W world)

• how good is the new Nikon camera? (try the Camera Equipment forum)

In general, if there is a simple answer to a question, this is probably the wrong place to post the question.

Topics discussed here will be very personal. They may be very opinionated. I encourage opinions and discussions. I discourage wars. When an opinion is expressed, and you disagree with that opinion, feel free to argue the opposite. But you are not to make personal slurs, insults, abuse or offensive remarks. You may find that you still disagree. That is fine. Indeed, it will be common.

OK, here's the forum.

It's your forum. Enjoy it!

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), January 21, 1999

Answers

I am taking a Photo II class at the local college. We are required to use the exact same subject for every assignment, i.e. a specific person, a specific tree, a watch, etc.

I have noticed that after 2 months of photographing the same item, that my photos have become more and more abstract. I have chosen a mortar & pestle. (This is the bowl and grinding stick used sometimes for garlic or spices in cooking or in the old days by pharmacists to compound prescriptions.) In many of my recent photographs,

The other students who have put a lot of time into the class have not followed this trend, though they have a person for the subject.

1. Is this tendency towards abstraction common? 2. Do you think that this type of subject exploration improves the artistic content of the photos?

-- Bonnie Oglesby (oglesby4@hit.net), March 12, 2001.

Hi, unfortunately you've posted your question in the wrong spot. go to www.greenspun.com/bboard, scroll down till you see "philosophy of photography" and repost your question.

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-- touchel berne (touchel@excite.com), March 14, 2001.