Can a photograph really capture what's going on?

Photography, since it has become an art subject, has had many influential criteria and aspects. Not only does it capture a moment in time, the emotions, the setting and the people there, but it can also mislead and misguide people, making us think that there is one reason to it, when there could be hundreds of other reasons for it's purpose

These first two photos, both by anonymous seem pretty basic. The first one looks like a scenic landscape, with the sun setting over a field, after a bout of rain, the land looking moist and full of life and nourishment. The one below is of a run down house, which looks like it is full of idyllic little stories of the family which has lived in it, a little suburban house, which would of been set in a whole street of houses just like it. The colours are natural and unedited, just like a quick snapshot. However, both of these scenes were both host to horrific murders, however the photographs do not capture this, they just capture the idyllic scenes they have been captured as.

Another artist that uses misleading photography is Trent Parke, who's series called Minutes to Midnight is daunting and dark, however looks classic and simple. His images captured his trip across Australia are not like the typical holiday snapshots, however are both very different within themselves as part of a series. The first one is very traumatic and stressful, however instead of being part of a war scene in which it resembles it is something a lot more innocent, just everyday Australian life for the people in poverty. As for the bottom picture it is very idyllic and innocent, just a crowd of people looking out on the beach, however it is misleading because of the colours it has been set in. With the dark contrasting black ans white editing, it looks alot more harsh than it actually is, like the public are looking out onto a scene more horrific and life changing, instead of just an ordinary day at the beach. The main thing that makes these photos more misleading from traditional holiday snaps is the colouring, especially considering it is Australia. Connotations of holiday snaps, especially Australian ones, is that the black and white colouring give it that eerie and depressing feeling, of which was more than likely a very enjoyable visit.

In conclusion, photography is meant to be an honest and truthful subject, but clearly, every photo can have a hidden message or a completely seperate meening all together.

"The camera never lies"

Bibliography

Vhttp://www.theblurb.com.au/Issue50/TrentParke.htm