Photography, in its essence, is a bridge between the tangible world and the realm of memories, a tool that frames what we see in time and space. This act of capture is more than technique or craft; it is a continuous dialogue with permanence and transience, between presence and absence. At the heart of this conversation is the question of authenticity and temporality, two pillars that support the structures of photography as art and as a document.
When Roland Barthes contemplated the nature of photography, he highlighted its constative force, that is, its ability to affirm that "that-was". A photograph is evidence, irrefutable proof of the existence of an instant that, once passed, becomes inaccessible except through that image. This is where photography challenges our perception of reality and time. The captured image is authentic in its affirmation of existence, but what it represents is something that no longer exists. It becomes an artifact, a visual echo that resonates through time.
Authenticity in a photograph is, therefore, double-faceted. On the one hand, we have the genuineness of registration: the guarantee that the light that touched the sensor or film was reflected by real entities at a specific moment. On the other hand, there is the interpretation of the image, the authenticity of experience and expression. photographic art emerges from this tension, born from the photographer's ability to transmit sensations, emotions and perspectives through a medium that It is, fundamentally, a reliable record of reality.
Temporality is also closely intertwined with photography. An image can be seen as an instant plucked from the continuous flow and presented for our contemplation. But, at the same time, each photograph is a door to the past, an invitation to dive into a moment that no longer exists. This ambiguous nature of photography as a temporal document invites us to reflect on impermanence and our relationship with past.
These < em>reflections on authenticity and temporality in photography have profound implications for understanding photography as an art form. Photographic art largely resides in technical skill, but it also lies in the ability to record and transmit the intrinsic meaning of an instant. Each image tells stories about who we are, what we value, and how we relate to the world around us.
In a world where photography is as ubiquitous as the air we breathe, the search for authenticity and meaning becomes even more relevant. Photographs are not mere visual representations; they are manifestations of our search for connection, understanding and expression. Therefore, when we reflect on photography, we are called to consider beyond what we see, to include what we feel and think. Photography, both as art and as a document, is a testimony to our existence, a tool that, in your hands, has the power to reveal truths, question perceptions and encapsulate the transitory and unique beauty of existence.
Written by Angela Rosana, learn more about me here.
Credits to the photographers appear in the images, with links to their respective Instagram profiles. Find out more about each person’s work!
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