Photography Limits Our Understanding of the World. Essay Example

a glimpse of what the Jews went through but the feelings and emotions aren’t the same. One cannot say they truly understand how the Jews felt, without actually experiencing what the Jews did. It takes one to be there to experience the emotions and tears the Jews had as the gas were released into the chamber. The use of manipulation in images is very common nowadays, considering programs like Photoshop is around. But even in history people have been misled on what is true.

For example, Joseph Stalin was often photographed with children, appearing delighted by their presence. It was not until after his death during the cold war when it was revealed that he murdered millions of citizens involved in the Soviet Union. It was due to propaganda that people had to suffer. Therefore Pictures can only depict events, but it lacks the qualities for one to be knowledgeable. Technology has taken photography to a new level. Susan Sontag implied that photography causes people to become ignorant of the world.

Images do allow one to view and interpret what is occurred; however they are extremely limited to what is within the frame. Because of this, truth and actuality in images are more vulnerable. Photographs does not allow one to taste the exquisite food, feel the breeze of fresh air, or hear the laughter of children playing in the field. Additionally a family photo might portray happiness, yet also hide the abusive father, crying child, and depressed mother. Photography does limit our understanding of the world because the impact photographs make on someone's mind is incomparable to experiences.