Kindness Before the Shutter | Knowledge #4

Since the invention of photography in the 19th century, various moments around the world have been captured in photos. Collecting photos is akin to collecting fragments of the world. In the era of media, images, and symbols, the common message conveyed is the abundance of visual imagery in today's world. As the presence of photography increases, the attitude and mindset towards taking and viewing photos have become more important than ever.

The 'Knowledge' series explores deep knowledge about photography and the thoughts behind it. This time, the theme is the spontaneity and aggression of photography, providing an opportunity to consider photographic ethics.

Let's look back about 20 years since the advent of digital cameras. Cameras were once expensive items preserved at home to save memories of special days. Now, with a smartphone, you can not only take photos but also edit and share them, enjoying photography at an advanced level.

Unknowingly, we may have started to capture the world from a new perspective. One motivation for taking photos is to satisfy curiosity. For instance, when you see an unusual sign, you might want to capture it in a photo to feel a sense of ownership, which might be an instinctive part of photography.

The photographer most faithful to this sense was probably Henri Cartier-Bresson, the author of 'The Decisive Moment'. He established a new approach to 'capturing the moment' using a 35mm Leica compact camera. His photos are appreciated not just as captured images but as works depicted through the camera.

We should deeply consider the meaning of our curiosity. The phrase 'curiosity about the unknown' feels natural, but 'curiosity about the known' is rarely heard. Curiosity is an emotion towards unclear and unexperienced phenomena, full of mystery. When this curiosity is directed towards people and captured as photos, caution is required.

American critic Susan Sontag stated that 'the act of taking a photograph is to appropriate the photographed subject'. It means establishing a special relationship between oneself and the outside world. Through photography, people can feel as if they have acquired specific knowledge or power. Therefore, attention is needed regarding the 'aggressive' aspect of photography.

Susan Sontag delves into the aggressiveness of photography by examining the phrase 'Shoot a picture'. The act of pressing the shutter can be perceived as pulling a trigger. While the aggressiveness of a camera is different from physical violence, it still implies an intrusion into the subject. The instinctive resistance to being photographed indicates the impact of this aggressive nature of photography.

When taking photos, try to communicate by speaking to the subject. This shows respect and empathy towards the subject. By doing so, a deeper understanding is created, which is reflected in the worldview of the work. Photos that exude a gentle atmosphere, revealing the rich relationship between the photographer and the subject, can be soothing.