Ways of Seeing

01Images are subjective, they show how one thing sees another

Let's dive into a fascinating idea: a picture is simply a record of how one person sees another. Sounds simple, right? But it's actually a deep dive into how we perceive, represent, and wield power. Let's break it down. When we say a picture is a record, we mean it's a physical or visible representation of something. It's a snapshot, a freeze-frame of a moment, a scene, or an object. But this record isn't neutral or unbiased. It's shaped by the viewpoint of the person who made it. The person who makes the picture could be an artist, a photographer, a filmmaker, or anyone else. This person brings their own unique viewpoint, shaped by their culture, personal experiences, beliefs, and biases. These factors shape how they see the world and, as a result, how they represent it in their pictures. The subject of the picture is the other part of the equation. It could be a person, a landscape, an event, or an object. The way the picture-maker sees this subject is influenced by their viewpoint, and this is reflected in the picture they make. Take, for example, a portrait of a woman painted by a male artist. The artist's viewpoint, shaped by his cultural background and personal beliefs about gender, will shape how he sees the woman and how he represents her in his painting. The resulting picture is a record of how he sees her, not necessarily how she sees herself or how others see her. The context in which a picture is viewed can also influence how it's perceived. For instance, a painting viewed in a museum might be seen differently than the same painting viewed in a private home. The viewer's viewpoint, shaped by their own culture and personal experiences, also shapes how they interpret the picture. In the past, European oil paintings often reflected the interests of their wealthy patrons, serving as a demonstration of their power and wealth. The way the subjects of these paintings were represented was shaped by the viewpoint of the artists and their patrons. Today, the role of these paintings has been taken over by images in advertising and media. These images suggest a new way of seeing to the viewer, implying that they can attain a certain lifestyle or identity by buying the advertised product. So, the idea that a picture is a record of how one person sees another is a deep exploration of how we perceive and represent the world. It highlights the role of viewpoint in shaping how we see and understand the world, and how this is reflected in the pictures we make and consume.