Can you take a wrong picture?
Much photography follows rules to create a conventionally “good” picture. However, in the sense of art, everyone can express themselves in any manner that truly captures their emotion and expression. Following the “rules” of photography can produce a “good” picture, but now the question is whether it follows the photographer’s message. From this, we can conclude that the “rules” of photography are more of a suggestion, as they do not need to be followed to create a “good” picture. Unconventional photos can still be “good” photos as long as they send the intended message or effect of the image. To conclude, one cannot take a “wrong” picture. You can take a photo that looks bad, sure, but that doesn’t mean the photo is wrong as long as it follows the photographer’s goals and emotions.
Wrong by John Baldessari
Photo Description: In 1967, John Baldessari, an American artist, exhibited his collection of “wrong” photos. This was a part of his message to “not create any more boring art.” His pictures were ironic, juxtaposed with a simple text message of “wrong” below them, creating an artistic appeal to the images. This is due to the direct criticism of his own work, calling out the flaws and making a sense of irony.
To not create any more “boring art,” Baldessari purposefully took unconventional photos to prove his point: that unconventional art is still interesting, different, and essential. If Baldessari was the one to judge his photography, to call his pictures “wrong,” who is left to judge his art? Because he labelled his art “wrong” before anyone else, he moved the focus from breaking the “rules” of photography to the message and effect he wished to give the audience and the importance of new ideas and conceptual art.
How is context important in Photography? Does the word “Wrong” make a difference? Why?
Context in photography is important as it allows the audience to better understand the photographer’s purpose and intent. The word “wrong” makes a difference because it brings attention to how the image breaks the conventional rules of photography. If we remove the word “wrong” from the picture, all the audience sees is a bad photo in a photography exhibit. However, including the word “wrong” breaks the fourth wall – making the audience question whether the image is genuinely “wrong,” creating irony and an effect on the audience. Whilst many may see the picture as just plainly wrong, the photo highlights rules that most images follow and how breaking them is not necessarily bad.