When someone scratches a great photograph, Janet Malcolm suggests that beneath its surface, there are two distinct layers: one layer represents painting-like qualities and the other captures the essence of photography itself. This means that an exceptional image can contain elements that resemble fine art paintings, such as composition, color, and emotional depth, while also possessing unique characteristics of photographs like candid moments and realistic details.
The deeper meaning behind this quote lies in acknowledging the duality inherent in great visual arts. On one hand, a stunning photograph may possess aesthetic qualities traditionally associated with painting, such as deliberate use of light and shadow or intricate framing techniques that evoke emotion through visuals. On the other hand, it also retains the spontaneous nature and truthfulness of photography, which often captures fleeting moments that are inherently real and unmanipulated. This duality underscores the complexity involved in creating art that can simultaneously be both a reflection of reality and an expression of artistic vision.
Janet Malcolm is an American journalist and author known for her insightful essays on literature, journalism, psychology, and photography. Her work often explores the relationship between truth and fiction within different mediums, making her observations particularly resonant when discussing the intersection of painting and photography in creating a compelling visual narrative.
