Dr. Kennedy’s presentation on the nature of photography was enlightening, as he elaborated on interpretations and intended meanings of different photos. With the sophisticated title of Walking the Threshold of Unknown Worlds, it was nearly an exposition of his ideas and how they can be interpreted compared to other photographs. From Ansel Adams to Wynn Bullock, all of the students were able to see diverse photographs created by different photographers. His preface to the art interpretation segment was inclusive of Dr. Kennedy’s learning style, which was slower, making his apprenticeship difficult. He went on to explain that photographs can be translated differently across different cultures, which was a great point. According to Dr. Kennedy, we search for meaning in the photographs, which is good because we are indulging in images beyond what is originally seen. Overall, the presentation was eye opening to what photography really is, and how large its impact is on a global level, as well as the interpretations it can create.
Photography is a wicked problem in the way that it can enhance our vision/expose issues among different cultures, as photography is an immutable reality, and leaves everything out in front of us. Photos are subjective to our interpretation, yet they create a language that the whole world understands in Dr. Kennedy’s eyes. To Dr. Kennedy, the fact that this is a universal language really allows for the world to find a common ground in a unique way, therefore issues at hand become universally recognized.
What surprised me about the presentation was that photography truly is a universal language, and also the truth the ambiguity causes dissonance. The entire world can see a photograph, and will interpret it in either a similar or different way from the entire world. But regardless, it is something that the entire world is familiar with, and thus creates a similarity and familiarity on a global scale. When Dr. Kennedy said that ambiguity causes dissonance, I realized how true that saying actually was. Nothing can work if ambiguity is present in a mind of somebody trying to accomplish. I just have not heard that enough. But hearing it from him was eye opening, as it is applicable to many things.