Ways of Seeing
In the article Ways of Seeing John Berger discusses the idea that seeing is the start of everything. We see the physical words themselves first before they are processed and given meaning within our minds. We also see others and objects around us as iterations with each other. We see our spots within society. However, with the invention of the camera and photography, the photographer is able to control where we look and what we see in order to evoke a certain feeling or emotion within us by manipulating our view on a situation.
Berger says "We only see what we look at. To look is an act of choice. As a result of this act, what we see is brought within our reach - though not necessarily within arm's reach" (8). We all choose to see different things based off of what we find important, and our past experiences. For example, when two people are in the same room, one might look at the wall hangings, while the other person is focused on the television. The one focused on the wall hangings might have taken an art or design course when they were younger, or maybe they read home magazines and enjoy decorating. However the other person who was interested in the television might not have even taken notice that there were wall hangings, because they were solely focused on the television. Maybe that person was an avid television watcher, or are looking into buying a new television. Who we are as individuals and what our specific interests are allow us to control our point of view and completely block out something that we see as irrelevant.
By controlling what someone views, their opinion on a certain object or event may be manipulated as well. This usually is done by an artist through a painting, or picture. Berger states "When we 'see' a landscape, we situate ourselves in it. If we 'saw' the art of the past, we would situate ourselves in history" (11). By focusing our minds on a piece of art work we completely lose focus on reality and get pulled in deeper. Our view is distorted as we begin to imagine ourself in that situation and how we would interact within it. The artist is able to change our sight and what we believe we are seeing by creating a visual representation within our minds. After seeing an imagine, it may then cause us to think about a certain event, or it could call us to take action. Sight is the first step to taking action.
Berger says "We only see what we look at. To look is an act of choice. As a result of this act, what we see is brought within our reach - though not necessarily within arm's reach" (8). We all choose to see different things based off of what we find important, and our past experiences. For example, when two people are in the same room, one might look at the wall hangings, while the other person is focused on the television. The one focused on the wall hangings might have taken an art or design course when they were younger, or maybe they read home magazines and enjoy decorating. However the other person who was interested in the television might not have even taken notice that there were wall hangings, because they were solely focused on the television. Maybe that person was an avid television watcher, or are looking into buying a new television. Who we are as individuals and what our specific interests are allow us to control our point of view and completely block out something that we see as irrelevant.
By controlling what someone views, their opinion on a certain object or event may be manipulated as well. This usually is done by an artist through a painting, or picture. Berger states "When we 'see' a landscape, we situate ourselves in it. If we 'saw' the art of the past, we would situate ourselves in history" (11). By focusing our minds on a piece of art work we completely lose focus on reality and get pulled in deeper. Our view is distorted as we begin to imagine ourself in that situation and how we would interact within it. The artist is able to change our sight and what we believe we are seeing by creating a visual representation within our minds. After seeing an imagine, it may then cause us to think about a certain event, or it could call us to take action. Sight is the first step to taking action.
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