Critical & Contextual Studies
How we read a photograph?
When we look at at photographs, we don't just look at them passively we search for a deeper meaning and message even if we are not consciously aware of it we are always actively doing it. In this way it could be argued that we read photos like we read writing, trying to find the meaning and message hidden behind it.
There are two ways that relate to reading a photograph, Denotative and Connotative:
Denotative - refers to the main surface level meaning (literal meaning) and doesn't take into account the feelings or ideas that may be behind the image.
Connotative - refers to the not explicit, implied meaning behind the image. The implied overtones in the photo that may surface once you've looked at the image for long enough.
There are two ways that relate to reading a photograph, Denotative and Connotative:
Denotative - refers to the main surface level meaning (literal meaning) and doesn't take into account the feelings or ideas that may be behind the image.
Connotative - refers to the not explicit, implied meaning behind the image. The implied overtones in the photo that may surface once you've looked at the image for long enough.
Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus was an American photographer. Arbus worked to normalize marginalized groups and highlight the importance of proper representation of all people. She photographed people on the fringe of society , such as the mentally ill , transgender people and circus performers - these people where considered 'weird' and 'freaks' in the days Diane photographed as everyone was very closed minded. "A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know,” she once mused.