Errol Morris; Photographs and Their Connection to the Physical World, Video

"What we have forgotten is that photographs are connected to a physical world..... I've tried to recover that connection between a photograph and the world." - Errol Morris

Errol Morris discusses photography and the matter of whether or not photographs are posed. There are differing opinions on this topic. Some individuals believe that photographs tell the truth, while others believe there are no photographs that aren't posed (in some manner or another).

This reminds me of my grandfather (whose hobby was photography) telling me, "Pictures don't lie."
However, recently in a Hallmark lecture, given by KU photography professor Daniel Coburn, Coburn addressed this very topic and shared an essay in which he states his opinion that photographs do indeed lie. He showed examples of his work, which seem very candid and images appear to be spontaneously captured, but revealed that an extremely high percentage were 'staged'.

Morris' view on the topic is that photographs are neither true nor false. Truths and falsities are to be left to  language; how we use words in respect to the world. He adds, however, he believes all photographs are posed. A photograph can be posed because it always is excluding something.
Morris explains how photographs show a two dimensional reality and that what is excluded from the photograph decontextualizes the scene. The only way to know what the actual reality of the photograph is to  perform a true investigation by which the photograph was taken and learn what was excluded.

Photographs can evoke strong emotions and many associations or connotations are attached to images by the viewer. This occurs without context or an explanation. There is an automatic response. Is it the correct response? Would the response change when more information is given? Photographs throughout history have become iconic without the truth of the scene investigated. The image, out of it's original context, can become a symbol regardless. We create contexts for the photographs.

I feel a great example of this is a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt, V-J Day in Times Square; also known as The Kiss. This photograph was published in Life magazine in 1945.

 At the time, Eisenstaedt was unable to get the names of the man and woman pictured, leaving them unidentified. Several men and women have since claimed to be in the photo. Mostly, the image is viewed as an expression of joy, celebration, romantic spontaneity. However, the two were strangers. It was not a consensual kiss. In many opinions, sexual contact without consent is considered sexual assault. This changes the context of the image. At first glance, a viewer's immediate associations could be romantic. Then, once given the context that the act captured in the photograph was actually something as serious as sexual assault, the viewer would certainly see the image differently. As Morris stated, photographs must be investigated to learn the truth of what we are actually looking at. This can be very difficult. The Kiss is an example, as the investigation and attempt to discover truths about the photograph have been a challenge. Many have claimed to be in the photo and recalled the scene with varying perspectives. Who do you believe?

Morris encourages individuals to explore, scrutinize, and inquire about  information of
images shared through photography. He proposes the question, "Aren't you curious about the photograph and what is really going on there?"