Camera Lucida

In this lesson we learnt about the words Punctum and Studium. We researched what they meant and then discussed it as a group. We then discussed how they are applied in photography.

On the nature of Barthes’ Punctum:

Punctum is a metaphor, something that catches your eye, stands out. It is a theorectical interpretation. It is the effect of the photograph on the viewer for example a historical photograph of cultural, maybe a serious subject to talk about. It triggers meanings or memory. It stays with the person and has an emotional impact.

On the nature of Barthes’ Studium:

Studium is something that can be different for different people. It is inconsequencal. What we like or what we dont like, Meaning that Studium is the element the thing, person that creates the effect.

Index:

The viewers interpretation. How we see the image. The connection we have, or create from the image. Reading the signs, the symbolism behind it along with the metaphor. We also have the narrative, the still narrative, the story that the photograph is trying to be presented to us. That photographs suggest that we get attached to a thing, the photograph showing the story then making the individual show emotions and have feelings about what is going on in the photograph.

Blind field Roland Barthes:

What we don’t see, the motionless. Creating narrative, beyond the photograph. completing a story whats behind the photograph. What is out the picture, outside the frame. Suggesting to look outside the box behind the bigger picture. what could happen next.

For example a photograph of someone on the floor looking as if he was scared and had been approached by someone bigger than them looking unfriendly. We would suggest that, that person is being bullied and would then be in the process of being beat up but we don’t know for sure because we only see what has been photographed, but because that is what has been photographed some people would choose to see the worst, if the photograph didn’t look a pleasing photograph to look at. For example the body language of the person looking sad or just from the shadows and use of black and white used.

Different things can help create different moods to a photograph. It is then how the individual decides to see the photographs for themselves. Therefore we are drawing us more of a meaning , adding to what is already there with our imagination. We are trying to understand what is happening and what could possibly happen next.