Contemplating Photography

Photography is a critical visual language that has the capacity to transcend time and space as well as gender, race and political boundaries. It is a powerful form of communication that can bridge differences and spread empathy. The meaning of a photograph is not fixed, but rather changes according to the context in which it is read. Photographic truth is not in any literal ability to render reality but in its capacity to reflect different historical and cultural values. The photograph provides a tremendous opportunity to gain insight into different cultures and historical periods through an understanding of their shared values and perspectives, which is contained in a series of inscribed codes on the photographic object.