Read
Berger’s essay at least twice. First, read the essay right through from
beginning to end. Don’t stop to look anything up or take notes, just
absorb the author’s argument. On your second reading (perhaps after a
break,) read more slowly and carefully, highlighting or noting down key points
or things you don’t fully understand. Make notes during or after reading,
in whatever way works best for you.
Summarise
in one line the point of each paragraph. Now answer the following
questions:
Paragraph 1
The majority of people do not consider photography is an art form.
Paragraph 2
Few museums have been preserved photographs as art forms.
Paragraph 3
Art cannot survive and not become valuable property.
Paragraph 4
Photographs have little or no property value as they can be reproduced
ad infinitum.
Paragraph 5
A photograph is someone's thought that was worth recording.
Paragraph 6
A photograph is a record, through the mediation of light, of a given
event.
Paragraph7
Painting is the art of composition whilst composition canter enter into
photography.
Paragraph 8
Events portrayed are mysterious according to a spectator's
knowledge of them prior to seeing the photograph.
Paragraph 9
A photograph bears witness to a human choice being exercised.
Paragraph 10
A photograph isolates, preserves and presents a moment taken from a
continuum.
Paragraph 11
The only decision a photographer can take is the
moment they choose to isolate but this
gives the unique power.
Paragraph 12
A photograph is effective when the chosen moment contains a quantum of
truth.
Paragraph 13
Photography does not deal in constructs, there is only decision, only
focus.
Paragraph 14
Evert photograph is a means of testing, confirming and construction a total
view of reality.
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1.
What is Berger's Argument?
Berger attempts to argue that photography should not (albeit in 1972
when the piece was written), be considered a fine art.
2.
How is Berger's socio-political stance reflected in
the arguments presented?
Berger's communist background and views emerge clearly in his stance on
ownership of fine art by the “nobility class”, thereby excluding access to it
by the masses. Because photographs are easily taken, reproduced and
available, they are merely records of things seen by the photographer.
Therefore they have no rarity value and cannot be regarded as fine art.
Photographs can, in his opinion, be used as ideological weapons in a class
struggle showing particular truths.
3.
Are you convinced by Berger's arguments? If not,
why not?
His views, expressed in 1972, reflect the situation vis a vis
photography before the digital age. It shows that strongly-held opinions
can look ridiculous when set in current times where “the camera never lies”
philosophy is patently untrue and where computer applications, used creatively,
can become a work of art. Many modern museums throughout the world now
house exhibitions of photographs taking their rightful place alongside what
Berger considers to be fine art. Form, composition, lighting and
structure are as important in photography as much as in painting and sculpture
by artists such as Rembrandt and Michelangelo and their more modern
counterparts such as Picasso and Van Gogh. The main and perhaps only
difference is that producing a painting or sculpture takes much longer than
taking and adjusting a photograph.
4.
Berger's writing style.
In my opinion, Berger is verbose and contradictory. He uses long-winded
confusing arguments to substantiate his far-left views which emerge
clearly as the driving force of his beliefs rather than relating to the
aesthetic value of art. His style leaves the reader confused as to his
main points and makes it difficult to follow his justification to its clearly
political conclusion.
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I had a complete mental block as to where to find this essay and finally
came up with it after reading another student's blog! I'll have to set to
and read the essay twice as suggested in the course manual and think about it
before committing pen to paper, as they say, or fingers to my keyboard!
I find it extremely difficult to analyse articles so feel it would be
helpful to read the course support booklets on essay writing and critical
analysis first. I'll continue with the other exercises whilst I complete
my reading.
I found several useful pieces on writing critical reviews so need to
find some peace and quiet to absorb all the advice.
I've found the OCA booklet 'Academic essay writing', the Visual Arts critical
review booklet and an article on Photo Journalism by Ron Frampton FRPS which I
think is worth reading as well.
