From MoMA Learning
(Museum of Modern Art, New York)
Since its invention in 1839, photography has served as a medium for documenting, understanding, and interpreting the world. It has contributed radically to the evolution of visual representation, enabling the documentation of a moment in time and, because of its ability to be reproduced, facilitating the mass circulation and distribution of images — a phenomenon that was accelerated by the advent of the internet and social media platforms.
Photographs are forms of representation, shaped by a series of conscious decisions on the part of photographers. Moreover, the way we interpret a photograph is influenced not only by the author's intent, but also by the way it is produced, edited, and circulated.
Throughout history — and to this day — photography has been used as a tool for science and exploration; for documenting people, places, and events; for telling and recording stories; and as a form of communication and criticism in an increasingly visually dominated culture.
This medium continues to be reinvented and rethought, shaped by technological advancements and the ongoing dialogues surrounding its use.
Article source: https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/photography/
Photo Credit: Adam Pretty / Staff
Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
