HOW MUCH IS A GOOD PHOTO? THE ROLE OF PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY IN ALFRED LIGOCKI’S ESTHETIC THEORY Cover Image

Ile kosztuje dobre zdjęcie. Rola fotografii prasowej w teorii estetycznej Alfreda Ligockiego
HOW MUCH IS A GOOD PHOTO? THE ROLE OF PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY IN ALFRED LIGOCKI’S ESTHETIC THEORY

Author(s): Magda Lena Strzałkowska
Subject(s): Media studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: press photography; aesthetics of photography; ethics of photography; Alfred Ligocki; theory of photography

Summary/Abstract: The views of Alfred Ligocki on press photography are an integral element of the concept of artistic photography in researching its esthetic. The article presents Ligocki’s views on using artistic photography as press photography. He demanded press photography to be as accurate, creative and to have such an attitude as artistic photography. The starting point is documentary authenticity of a picture (the truth of information) and honesty of a photographer. The outcome is a photography which evokes critical feelings and proves that our perspective of the world differs from the reality. The obstacle to show the truth can be dishonesty of a photographer, making photography part of various ideologies and excessive beautifying. The concept of Revealing Photography by Alfred Ligocki concentrates on its 222 cognitive values and a message of a photo. Realism and socialist humanism constitute important factors in his esthetic perception. Realism is especially adapted for a cognitive role of a photo understood as a conscious attitude of a photographer towards the reality. Whereas socialist humanism serves a role as a linkage among a social factor, artistic mission and understanding the time we live in. Revealing observation, “time shortcut”, the ability to synthesizing fast are the actions which allow to take a good press photography. Such vision of a creating activity is far from a traditional concept of a reportage and a press photography bringing in existence a new anti-commercial area of a photographer actions within the framework of a changing society. Photography rests on good judgment, knowledge, motivation and a certain amount of subjectivity. A photoreporter does not interfere in reality but keeps humility. A form of a photo is of a second significance; it is in its simplicity and truth, to reflect a cognitive process of its author.

  • Issue Year: 209/2011
  • Issue No: 1+2
  • Page Range: 76-93
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish