Terry Barrett Read Response

One the statements in this reading that stuck me was “Some of today’s criticisms will eventually become part of art history for future generations long after exhibitions have closed.” Hmm, that was a line that I read over a few times to really try and understand what that could mean. The art that was made yesterday defines the future of art and how people comprehend it. One may criticize a contemporary piece of work that defines a current state of mind or social culture that will pass on to further generations of critiques. What gets created may become visual for others to view and critique, once that work becomes public, it leaves it’s mark in the world.
I agree with the first few paragraphs in Chapter 3 as well. I believe that every photograph demands interpretation just like any piece of literature or any other form of art. An audience should take time when viewing photography to really gain an appreciation to everything that makes up the photograph. Every photo has something different to say. Or, should I say, every photographer has something to say? We need to always remember that a photograph doesn’t just make itself, there is someone behind the lens that creates that specific shot. “People’s knowledge, beliefs, values, and attitudes-heavily influenced by their culture-are reflected in the photographs they take,” SO IMPORTANT! I hope that as a photographer, I reference these things and they become visible in my own work.
I think what need to pay attention to when critiquing other’s photographs, is to always speak what I interpret of the photograph as a whole. I want to move away from critiquing technical qualities and go forward in critiquing my personal interpretation from their photograph, because, well, I think that is the most important aspect. It is beyond what is actually in the photograph, but what, me, myself believes is in the photograph.