Susan Sontag's Book On Photography: Plato's Cave

    Plato's Cave, the first chapter, gives an overview of what photography truly is, being both art and its meaning to people. Plato's Cave chapter lists many reasons why photography is so unique, with many purposes for its use, whether it is nostalgic or entertainment. As Susan Sontag says, "to collect photographs is to collect the world." 

    Sontag talks about its many purposes in photography, going from art to the use of gathering information in a photo. Some of its known purposes are to create nostalgia, people taking pictures of moments that truly have meaning and can last forever to them (Pg 11, paragraph 2). Other uses consist of entertainment, whether it is pornography or, in a sense, a piece of artwork. These are just some significant purposes that photography has. However, photography also provides a negative aspect of how photography or a camera is used. Sontag explains how a camera can kill (hyperbole) since photographing people violates them, meaning in rights or the use of blackmail( Page 10; paragraph 4). Overall, photography, explained by Susan Sontag, has the capabilities to do much more than just art, being able to demonstrate change and sway certain emotions 

    Photography has come a long way, being able to illustrate way more than many paintings. Sontag states, "photographs are as much an interpretation of the world as paintings and drawings are." She means that photography does the same things as any other piece of art, but it illustrates something differently, in a way that the interpretation is up to those viewing. It is important because those who observe can establish their own ideas and understanding of what's happening in the photo. "The image-world that bids to outlast us all." Tells how a photograph can last longer to tell its story. 

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