Analysis of Photography - Essay Example

In particular, he points out the mismatch between the photographs and the title; therefore, loss of relevance. He criticizes not only the photograph but also the artist. He wonders why the artist would go to such a length of mismatch the title and the photograph and rebuts him as wasting his ability and talent.  But who is Charles Baudelaire? One may ask. Charles Baudelaire was once a government employee in the French government bureaucracy. Many thought that this would prepare him for success; however, he quit his job to become a professional writer and an art critic. He wrote many poems which became the foundation of French symbolist literary tradition. He worked closely with ancient revolutionary French painters such as Delacroix and Courbet, who shaped his understanding and perception of art. Therefore, it expected that such a lover of realistic art would be averse to photography. Arguably, Alfred Stieglitz's Portrait of Georgia OKeeffe (1922) would not be approved by Charles Baudelaire.

A number of things disqualify Alfred Stieglitz's Portrait of Georgia OKeeffe (1922). To begin with, the portrait does not convey much information other than the fact that it is a portrait.  Charles Baudelaire would anticipate an imaginary representation of a piece of art that brings the audience to a world of fantasy. The photograph is dull. Secondly, the photograph does not show any contrast of colors. The background has no color connotation. It would enhance the hue of the portrait and perhaps make it more beautiful.  Moreover, it would fit into the world of the industry but not artistic realism. Charles Baudelaire opines that photography best serves to aid man’s memory but does not represent the mental world of dreams, imagination, and fantasy. For instance, the portrait shows Georgia OKeeffe staring blankly into space. It does not relate to any phenomena or any natural event.

Nevertheless, photography is an essential part of the industry. Although Charles Baudelaire offers valid points why he disapproves of photography in comparison to art, photography enriches the traveler’s album and fills ancient archives of events,people, and places in our memories. Charles Baudelaire brings forth the importance of naturalistic art compared to photography. He uses harsh words criticizing photography and shows his avarice to photography. Therefore, it is expected that he would criticize Alfred Stieglitz's Portrait of Georgia OKeeffe (1922) much more as he had done on previous photographs.