recording our history

I’ve been toying with the question of the amount of power photography has to be a tool of cultural critique, believing it to be the most impactful medium by which to make a statement. The documenting of the world in image brings bold truth, reality and humanity to the viewer. In a second, the photograph can unravel and deconstruct identities, reveal the unknown and unexplored, tell a narrative and become a universal illustration of humanity. No need for translation, context is derived by the viewer. A photograph forces the viewer to react, feel, intrepret; even if only for a split second.

Recently, a compliment repeated, we were praised for the “realness” and “natural” quality of the retouching done to our imagery. Initially I didn’t think much of it but now I become curious as to the role of photography as an accurate tool by which to make cultural critique and to document our history.

Our modern history is recorded and largely based in iconic images upon which we base our understanding of history and the events that shape it.

How will the understanding of photography as an accurate tool to record history change in the future; will we be able to trust the validity of photographic proof?

I read recently that in India as a gesture of respect and inclusion, it is a tradition to photoshop absent family members into wedding photographs.

How can we safeguard the accurate recording of our history in an era where
post-production and retouching is so apparent?

Will Cindy Crawford ever truly remember what she looked like at 35, or will the gamut of airbrushed portraits alter her memory…

below:
I chose to showcase one of Carty’s summer fashion shoots, these images could be 1974 or 2009. Timeless. (I thought it fit well into the context of my post)

© Steve Carty Photographer, Paulina from NEXT