claudia__ Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 In an article on Sylvia Plachy's new book <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0204/p16s01-alar.html">, click here,</a> she speaks about memory, recognition and truth in photography. I found these three elements very useful in thinking about photographs. Does memory play a part in your choices of what you shoot? Does recognition of something you already know play a part? <p>here is a quote....<i>"The work of the artist is not so much what you say or what you know, it's recognizing what you know. That's what life is about. That's what photography is about. You see something, or you hear someone say something, and you say 'That is a truth.' You know, deep in you," she continues. "That's when you start shooting. That's when you write it down. That's when you start thinking, or that's when you start feeling, because you recognize it. You fall in love with that truth. That's what it is, it's falling in love."</i></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdanger Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Thanks, I enjoyed the article. Maybe memory plays a part, but I think when I'm shooting, that panic at what I don't know, plays a part. I feel like I'm wildly peeling an orange to get at what's inside. And when I hold up the wet negatives before drying, I panic again at the shear rediscovery. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
._._z Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 She was interviewed on the radio last month (<u><A href = http://snipurl.com/ckb3>RealAudio link</a></u>) and some photos from her book can be found <u><A href = http://www.wnyc.org/slideshows/plachy/popup.html>here</a></u> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdanger Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Z, that's not an audio link to her interview, it's about water pressure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 I found that listening to the "water pressure" show while looking at Plachy's photos created an interesting experience. I prefer seeing things I don't recognize. It allows me to construct a much more interesting story. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
._._z Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 <i><blockquote> Z, that's not an audio link to her interview, it's about water pressure </blockquote> </i><p> Hmm, that was supposed to be the link for the entire 2-hour show, with the Plachy segment fast-forwardable (after the Larry & Al Ubell segment). Here's the webpage where I got the link: <p> <u><A href = http://wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/01122005> http://wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/01122005</a></u> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_sullivan Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 it's not the first audio link.........it's down further where the mention to James Horner's music is (the music is the lead-in to the interview) anyhow, claudia...and jeff..........I'm not reading that quote the same way you guys seem to be. It's not memory of something you did, or saw, or experienced.........it's memory of a concept, or as she calls it a truth. Like falling in love. You never fell in love with "that" person before, but you "KNOW" that person the moment you see them. It's what your mind and soul has pieced together as THE person for you to love (.....albiet, things dont always stay that way ;o). It's the same with something you see while walking around with a camera. You've never seen THAT sight before, but when you see it, you KNOW it. You remember "feeling" like that before, albiet just a concept of feeling prior to this time, but now........there it is, the thing that makes you feel that way. And you KNOW this thing. That's when the camera gets utilized.........or when you write it down, if you're a writer. Anyhow, that's what I think she's talking about.........it's how it happens to me, anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_foto Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 <p>"<i>I prefer seeing things I don't recognize. It allows me to construct a much more interesting story.</i>" <p>I dont' think that what Plachy meant was that we only photograph what we feel most comfortable seeing because we previously recognize it. surely she knew that creative photographers prefer to see new things and see old things anew. probably, by "recognition" she meant that we recognize what we train ourselves to observe (the seeing) and thereby realize what it is (the recognition) that we want to photograph. therefore, it is that process of "photographic observation" that creates the "recognition" of what a photographer "knows". indeed, haven't we all had moments, as photographers, of "'falling in love' at first sight" with what we are "observing"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terribletomterrific Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Hi, I feel that recognition is a huge part of enjoyment. Think of certain styles of jazz, where the clarinetist, or the saxaphonist, teases us by going in and around and through a well known tune, until we finally think, "Oh, that's 'Fly Me to the Moon.'" And then we think of the other words to that tune, and of our experiences with that tune, and all of the baggage that that tune carries for us. And we apply all of that to the meaning of the clarinetist. I don't know what this has to do with "'truth' in photography." "Truth" is a very slippery idea. But I think it has a lot to do with the role of "recognition" and "memory" in giving meaning to artistic expression. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudia__ Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 the book arrived. very nicely done. recommended for those who are Plachy fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeman458 Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 A nice, feel good <a href="http://www.theconnection.org/shows/2005/02/20050221_b_main.asp">interview</a> with Sylvia Plachy, "Self Portrait With Cows Going Home". Click on the link labeled "LISTEN TO SHOW."<p> Warning, it's about forty-eight minutes in length.<p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now