The Camera

On the other hand, the camera forms the final connecting link between the innate ability to see and the external capability to report, interpret, express what we see, without having to have special talent or extended training to effect the process. There is little doubt that contemporary lifestyle has been influenced, and crucially, by the changes enacted on it by the fact of the photograph.

“In print, language is the primary element, while visual factors, such as the physical setting or design format and illustration, are secondary or supportive. In the modern media, just the reverse is true. The visual dominates; the verbal augments. Print is not yet dead yet, nor will it ever be, but, nevertheless, our language-dominated culture has moved perceptibly toward the iconic.”

Most of what we know and learn, what we buy and believe, what we recognize and desire, is determined by the domination of the human psyche by the photograph. And it will be more so in the future.

"...it is the technique that will serve most effectively as connector between intention and results. Conversely, a familiarity with the nature of techniques will make a more discerning audience for any visual statement..."

Representation

Reality is the basic and dominating visual experience. For example the total general category of the bird is defined in elemental visual terms. A bird can be identified through a general shape, linear and detailed characteristics. All birds have some connecting, shared visual referents within the broader category.

All visual information of a particular object can easily be obtained through various levels of the direct experience of seeing. We all are the original camera; we all can store and recall for use this visual information with high visual effectiveness.

“The difference between the camera and the human brain lie in the question of faithfulness of observation and ability to reproduce the visual information. It is clear that the artist and the camera hold some special expertise in both areas.”

Beyond a realistic three-dimensional model, the closest thing to actually seeing a bird in direct experience would be a carefully exposed and focused photograph in full and natural colour. The photograph matches the facility of the eye and brain, replicating the real bird in the real environment. We call the effect realistic. It should be noted, however, that in direct experience, or on any level of the scale of visual expression from photograph to impressionistic sketch, all visual experience is intensely subject to individual interpretation.