Actually, what is Photography?

Vaughn · Dec 2, 2019

Right as rain, Ken! But is it not strange how the extra time of retirement and the increase in available income due to kids' independence, both seem to difficult to find? I mean, I set them down a minute ago...they got to be right around here somewhere...

My own approach to photography is very different, but I appreciate your working conditions!

removed account4 · Dec 2, 2019

Arklatexian said:
The word "photography" is said to mean "writing with light", therefore, to me, memories do not qualify. Those are not "photographs" but rather "memories". Important but not the same.......Regards!

the grey image i uploaded had the image i described on it before it evaporated into the ether, is it still a photograph ?

Vaughn · Dec 2, 2019

I think you called it an image...

removed account4 · Dec 2, 2019

Vaughn said:
I think you called it an image...

Hi Vaughn
I did ! but it no longer exists is the blank grey sheet still a photograph even though the image stain has vanished ?
The first daguerreotype and niepce's first image have suffered similar fates, are they still considered photographs too ?

jim10219 · Dec 2, 2019

photography = recording of photons in a visual medium.

I don't think an audio recording of the sun would count as photography, even though it's a recording of light. And I don't think a laser pointer against a wall would count as photography, even though you could engage in light writing with it.

Vaughn · Dec 2, 2019

jnantz said:
Hi Vaughn
I did ! but it no longer exists is the blank grey sheet still a photograph even though the image stain has vanished ?
The first daguerreotype and niepce's first image have suffered similar fates, are they still considered photographs too ?

"See here my good man, I know a photograph when I see one. These plates lack any image, even the ghosts of any images have passed on and joined the host eternal -- they are ex-photographs!"

Maris · Dec 2, 2019

You have seen this before but here it is again: a lecture note hand-written by Sir John Herschel that introduces the word photography, coined by him, first written by him, first spoken by him, together with an explanation as to what he meant by it.

It is a reasonable proposition in philosophy, as opposed to internet banter, that the maker of a well defined neologism cannot, even in principle, become wrong. There are now many ill-cast, dubious, and ambiguous uses of the word photography, just read this very thread, but Herschel's first and final authority on the matter still rings true for me.

removed account4 · Dec 2, 2019

thanks maris
but i can't read any of that, would you be able to tell me if the now grey retina print ( well niepce's was made on silver chloride paper mine is rc paper ) can still be called a photograph even though
it has vanished like the first daguerreotype and the original 1826 retina prints?

Vaughn said:
"See here my good man, I know a photograph when I see one. These plates lack any image, even the ghosts of any images have passed on and joined the host eternal -- they are ex-photographs!"

made my day , thanks !
https://www.philchang.com/work/
john

NedL · Dec 2, 2019

they were photographs, even by Herschel's definition...
I'm not going to wade into the argument of whether your digital capture of them is still a photograph

I'm still mulling over a different "definition" of photography that I was thinking about over the weekend...haven't decided if I want to write it here or not.

Berkeley Mike · Dec 3, 2019

Fundamentally, photography is about a light sensitive medium that can capture and retain light for production. The rest is technical and aesthetic.

Vaughn · Dec 3, 2019

Berkeley Mike said:
Fundamentally, photography is about a light sensitive medium that can capture and retain light for production. The rest is technical and aesthetic.

Sounds like a solar cell.

The definition is as fluid as the light we draw with.

KenS · Dec 8, 2019

On 'rethinking'.....
A photograph is a two dimensional representation of a Three Dimensional "Reality"

Ken

Arklatexian · Dec 9, 2019

Patrick Robert James said:
Writing with light sounds good to me. Photographs are made with light. Prints are made with ink. I don't call my photographs prints and I don't call my prints photographs.

How about the word "picture". To me, a photograph does not become a "picture" until everything has been done to it from loading film into the camera (analog), exposure made, film processed and dried, print made, processed and dried, then the print mounted and framed and finally it is a "picture", ready to be looked at and either admired or scorned or perhaps "yawned at"...........Regards!

Vaughn · Dec 9, 2019

KenS said:
On 'rethinking'.....
A photograph is a two dimensional representation of a Three Dimensional "Reality"

Ken

My carbon prints have a raised relief, thus are 3-D images, although the third dimension is based on tonality rather than the spacial distribution of the scene.

Actually, what is Photography?

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