The Ontology of Photographic Image - Essay Example

The Ontology of the Photographic Image’, André Bazin Argues That Photography Marks Both an Extension of Earlier Forms of Image Making Table of Contents ‘The Ontology of the Photographic Image’, André Bazin Argues That Photography Marks Both an Extension of Earlier Forms of Image Making 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Ontology of Photographic Image 4 Digital Film as a Wholly New Medium 4 Digital Imaging in Film 5 Cinema as the Complete Representation of Reality 6 Conclusion 8 References 10 Introduction The theme behind “the Ontology of photographic image” implies that the invention of photography played a very important role in the history of plastic arts. In order to prove this, Andre Bazin carried out an analysis by putting the history of plastic arts under psychoanalysis. According to Andre Bazin, the fundamental idea behind the theory of plastic art originated from the embalming of the death in Egypt. One of the most important moments in the history of plastic arts is considered as the invention of camera obscura, which was followed by the creation of visual arts by the artists (Bazin & Gray, 2007). However, it was not perfectly considered as photography. It is also claimed by Andre Bazin that the personality of an author is always reflected by the work of art, whereas the image created through photography does not involve any creative intervention any individual. Through painting, the artists always try to bring out the impression of a certain object, but there are certain flaws in painting that opposes the artist to reflect the realism of the object (Philosophy Now, 2014). Thus, with the invention of digital photography, the representation of objects became more realistic. It overcomes the fingerprint evidence found in painting and replicates the real picture of the object. Photography began its history with the invention of digital photography, which involves the progressive change in the medium of recording like photographic film or CCD sensor. However, in order to make the representation of the image of any object realistic and improve the quality of the image, digital photography was introduced. With the help of digital photography, the cinema industry has been highly benefited. However, there is a great controversy regarding the fact that whether digital film is the developed version of analogue film or it is a completely new medium (University of Amsterdam, 2012; Offscreen, 2014; Metelerkamp, 2001). In this regard, the essay focuses on the statement made by Andre Bazin relating to photography. In addition, the discussion emphasizes the development of digital photography as a progress and a new ontological understanding. Ontology of Photographic Image In the ontology of photographic image, Andre Bazin has shown the expectations from the plastic arts. He has also outlined how these expectations are similar or different from the expectations of cinema. Andre Bazin noted that the main goal of the plastic art is to preserve the bodily appearance or the physical reality for a certain period. Thus, the purpose of the plastic art was to provide a similar image of any object, which is not in existence at present. However, the invention of photography was to provide something different what the painting or the plastic art concept cannot provide. It was regarded as the creation of any image without the artistic interference of any individual. In this regard, Andre Bazin stated that invention of photography is one of the most important events in the history of plastic art. Moreover, he declared that photography is completely a different concept and it is not a substitute of anything. The concept of cinema has also become possible because of the invention of photography. Subsequently, in the present day scenario, photography is more creative than art and it portrays the real image of the world without the intervention of any individual (Rifkin, 2011). Digital Film as a Wholly New Medium Digital film is considered as a completely new medium, as it does not have any connection with the analogue concept, which involved painting or other representations of objects in the form of sculptures and arts. In analogue concept, the representation of the object completely depends on the skill of the artist. In this context, the exact representation was not obtained because of some flaws in the artists. However, with the invention of photography, the exact representation of the object can be obtained. The concept of photography was discovered from the principle of camera obscura and through certain observations of the alteration of image when they were exposed to light. Thus, based on these combined concepts, the concept of photography was introduced. The concept of photography was first commercially introduced in the year 1839. At the beginning film roll were used that could produce only black and white image. With the passage of time and technological advancement, colour rolls were introduced. However, the introduction of digital camera in the year 1900, proved to be a great revolution in the history of photography. With the invention of digital photography, the use of traditional camera roll was replaced by microchips and the image quality improved because of the high-resolution production of images. Moreover, there has been a remarkable development in the field of movie industry with the advent of digital photography. Various special effects in the movie through digital imaging have become possible that has made different scenes of a movie look more realistic (The Chicago School of Media Theory, 2014; Slugan, 2013). Digital Imaging in Film The concept of digital imaging has only become possible due to the invention of digital photography. It is the process of creating digital images from a physical scene. The most common method used for digital imaging through digital photography is by a digital camera. Contextually, the concept of digital imaging was developed during the years 1960-1970 to overcome the weakness of the normal film camera. The concept was used for various military missions and scientific research. However, now-a-days digital imaging is playing a significant role in the making of various movies (Olympus America Inc, 2012). In the year 1920, ‘Bartlane cable picture transmission system’ was the first inventor of digital image. Through digital imaging, the analogue information is digitally encoded with the help of technology. Digital graphics are part of digital imaging, which provides all sorts of computer graphics service that helped a business to communicate with the customers as well as formulate strategic planning in as effective way. Digital imaging plays an important role in establishing special effects in the making of any movie. The introduction of special effects has become possible due to the ability of digital imaging in the manipulation of video information as well as imaging with computer (The Florida State University, 2013). A simple image or video can be represented in a very eye catching and exciting manner in any movie with the help of certain digital tools that include light-room, coral draw and Photoshop among others. One of the major advantages of digital imaging is that digital cameras take images and videos without the use of any film or roll and thus, it can be made available for immediate use. Moreover, the images or videos taken by digital cameras can be easily stored in a computer or other external storage devices, which further ensure reliable storage. Therefore, digital imaging has played a significant role in the field of photography, which has benefitted the film industry in representing any film in an eye catchy manner (David J, 2014). Cinema as the Complete Representation of Reality Andre Bazin was the first to propound the idea of cinematic realism, which helped the cinematic technology to represent the reality completely. Bazin generated this idea from the analysis of the history as well as the emergence of cinema. He argued that the advancement of technology and the economy in the late 19th century were not the factor that was responsible for the development of cinema. However, the natural or inborn desire to represent the word with details has led to the invention of cinema. He further noted that the main motive of the inventors of cinema and photography is not only earning profit by selling technology to the people, but their motive was to provide the replication of the world in a more realistic way (Schwartz, 2005). However, the technical problems that were related to the concept of cinema were completely solved by the year 1930 and the succeeding changes were directed by “the myth of total cinema”. As per the myth, the cinema should be able to represent the world in a realistic manner and create its own image. The myth also stated that the idea of cinema was in existence long before the appearance of the medium and the development in the field of cinema took place gradually as a result of the myth (Adam, 2007). The concept of “Total Cinema” as propound by Andre Bazin stated that there should not be any deficiency in the audio and visual content of the cinema. The cinema should look and sound as well as can be experienced in the similar manner, as if it is real. However, a cinema can only be regarded as complete and total, but there should be an effective development in the field of colour and sound. The concept of total cinema can be represented in the cinemas of the present generation. Examples of two movies, Walking Life and Slacker can be considered to be effective in presenting the ideas of digital imaging, where the concept of the two cinemas can be observed for better presentation of automatic means. Walking life is an American movie based on animation. It was directed by Richard Linklater. The movie reflects various philosophical issues that include dreams, reality and consciousness among others. Even though the characters of the movie were animated, but digital video of the live actors and a team of artists assisted in making of the movie as a realistic one. Digital imaging was used for making the animated characters look more realistic and natural (TDF, 2014). Example of another movie, “Slacker” can be considered in order to reflect the concept of “Total Cinema”. The movie was released in the year 1991 and is based on comedy drama. It is also an American movie, directed by Richard Linklater. The movie was shot in Austin with the help of 16mm Arriflex camera. The overall budget of the movie was US$ 23,000 and it was released in the Dobie theatre of Austin. A remarkable work of digital imaging and digital photography enhanced the experience of viewers while watching the movie. However, later in July 1990, the film was acquired by Orion and was released in the theatres all over the world in 35mmn film version that made the viewing experience much better than the 16mm film version. Even though the film was produced in the 1990, but watching the movie gives an experience of the era of 1960 and this has been possible only because of the use of digital photography and the latest techniques that have enhanced the experience of the film (Philosophy Now, 2014). Conclusion Based on the above discussion and analysis, it can be comprehended that photography has been identified as a representation of truthful facts made from the time of invention. Traditionally, photography has been used as an automatic process based on which truthful images are depicted, which are realistic as well as meticulous. In this respect, photographs are the presentation between two dimensions of the world with effective abstractions. In the present day context, the development and advancement in the photography technology has been recognised to change digital imaging. Subsequently, with the advancement of technology, photography has been adopted as well as implemented in a modernised manner. In this regard, the statement made by Andre Bazin signified that the development in digital imaging has been important consideration based on which progress in photographic image has enhanced in terms of quality as well as information carried. The statement implied that digital imaging has been changing the outlook of photography. Correspondingly, ontology of photography has changed the definition as well as psychology of human about digital imaging. In addition, based on the argument made by Andre Bazin, it can be recognised that photographic imaging in the present innovative world can be identified as an automatic mean. The development in the digital imaging world can be perceived as an important consideration based on which photography can be used for better ontological understanding. The two movies that include Walking Life and Slacker provided an important understanding about the innovativeness of digital imaging for providing realistic viewpoints of the real world through cinema and photograph. Thus, the development in digital imaging is witnessed to change the outlook of digital imaging with better future progress in presenting abstractions in a realistic manner. References Adam, L., 2007. The Surrealism of the Photographic Image: Bazin, Barthes, and the Digital Sweet Hereafter. Cinema Journal, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 54-82. Bazin, A. & Gray, H., 2007. The Ontology of the Photographic Image. Film Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 4-9. David J, 2014. Digital Imaging Throws Documentary into Ontological Crisis. Documentary. [Online] Available at: http://kino-eye.com/2010/08/20/documentary-ontological-crisis/ [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Metelerkamp, P., 2001. Questioning Realism: Bazin and Photography. Journal. [Online] Available at: http://www.metelerkamp.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Questioning-Realism-web-version.pdf [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Offscreen, 2014. Introduction to André Bazin, Part 1: Theory of Film Style in its Historical Context. Where Film Matters. [Online] Available at: http://offscreen.com/view/bazin4 [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Olympus America Inc, 2012. Section Overview. Concepts in Digital Imaging Technology. [Online] Available at: http://www.olympusmicro.com/primer/digitalimaging/concepts/concepts.html [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Philosophy Now, 2014. Slacker. Films. [Online] Available at: https://philosophynow.org/issues/56/Slacker [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Philosophy Now, 2014. The Ontology of Photography: From Analogue to Digital. Appearance and Reality. [Online] Available at: https://philosophynow.org/issues/95/The_Ontology_of_Photography_From_Analogue_To_Digital [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Rifkin, S. J., 2011. Andre Bazins "Ontology of the Photographic Image": Representation, Desire, and Presence. Article, pp. 1-348. Schwartz, L. J., 2005. Cinema Is a Mummy or André Bazin’s Photographic Ontology. Confidential Report, pp. 57-65. Slugan, M., 2013. Some Reflections on Bazin’s and Cavell’s Ontologies of Film. University of Warwick, Vol. 5, pp. 424-441. TDF, 2014. Waking Life. Top Documentary Films. [Online] Available at: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/waking-life/ [Accessed December 26, 2014]. The Chicago School of Media Theory, 2014. Film. The Chicago School of Media Theory. [Online] Available at: https://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/mediatheory/keywords/film/ [Accessed December 26, 2014]. The Florida State University, 2013. Concepts in Digital Imaging Technology. Basic Concepts. [Online] Available at: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/digitalimaging/concepts/concepts.html [Accessed December 26, 2014]. University of Amsterdam, 2012. The Status of the Photographic Image in Post Media Cultural Production. New Media. [Online] Available at: http://michaeldiehard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/martijndorresteijn_MAthesis.pdf [Accessed December 26, 2014]. Read More