People believe that photographs are true and therefore cannot be art

People believe that photographs are true and therefore cannot be art

Mason Cooley, an American aphorist known for his witty and insightful observations on life, once said, "Photographs are a way of imprisoning reality...One can't possess reality, one can possess images--one can't possess the present, but one can possess the past." This quote speaks to the idea that photographs are often seen as a direct representation of reality, and therefore cannot be considered art in the traditional sense.

Many people believe that photographs are true because they capture a moment in time, freezing it for eternity. Unlike paintings or sculptures, which are created by the artist's interpretation of reality, photographs are seen as a direct reflection of the world as it is. This belief in the truthfulness of photographs can lead to the misconception that they lack the creativity and imagination that are often associated with art.

However, this view fails to take into account the artistic skill and vision that goes into creating a photograph. Just as a painter uses brushstrokes to convey emotion and meaning, a photographer uses composition, lighting, and framing to capture a moment in a unique and compelling way. Photographers make choices about what to include in the frame, what to leave out, and how to manipulate the image to create a specific mood or message. In this sense, photography is just as much an art form as painting or sculpture.

Mason Cooley's quote suggests that photographs have the power to transport us to the past, allowing us to relive moments that have long since passed. This ability to evoke memories and emotions is a key aspect of art, and it is something that photographs excel at. Whether capturing a fleeting expression on a person's face or the play of light on a landscape, photographs have the power to move us in ways that are both profound and lasting.