Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.
I chose the article “The Art of Instant Gratification” by Stephen Trachtenburg. I was fascinated by Trachtenburg’s discussion of the evolution of photography. I also enjoyed Trachtenburg’s views on online networking sites and the fate of photographs as they are put on the internet. It’s almost as if he is saying the internet is some kind of vacuum from which there is no escape for the poor photograph.
What are the main points of the essay?
Trachtenburg begins by exploring the evolution of photography. He first describes its early routes in the nineteenth century, focusing on the “almost biblical” power of photographs in their early years. Then, with the help of Kodak, ordinary men and women were able to engage in the art of photography, even though they still had to send the camera back to the company for development. All of that changed in the late 1940’s with the invention of Polaroid and instant-development. Finally, Trachtenburg discusses digital photography. He says that with the advent of digital photography, “gratification is faster than instant.” In seconds a person can not only take a photograph but upload it onto the internet and share it with the world.
How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?
This article offers a fascinating look into the state of photography in the modern world. It raises the question, “What does the future hold for photography?” Where will technology take photography in the near future? Will the current trend towards digitalization ultimately be a positive or negative influence on the art world?
