Question #8

Question 8. How is the meaning of a photograph determined?

Meaning is not intrinsic. Meaning is established through a fluid cognitive and emotional relationship among the maker, the photograph, and the viewer. The structure of a photograph can communicate before it is understood. A good image teaches us how to read it by provoking responses from the viewers' inventory of life experiences. Meaning is not always found in things, but sometimes between them. An exceptional photograph creates viewer focus, which produces attention, which can lead to definition. As one mediates on what is possible, multiple meanings may begin to present themselves.

R. Hirsch & J. Valentino (2001)

摄影师享有一项权利——有时是他的任务——那就是为图像注入意义。

清道夫，Street cleaner。2011。Canon 550D。

一个洋人清道夫在 Brisbane 的唐人街 （Chinatown, Fortitude Valley）上扫除垃圾。他细心的工作态度，让后方站着观看的亚洲人显得像正在监督的老板。按下快门后才发现的倒三角形构图，仿佛暗示着颠倒的宾主关系。亚洲实力的崛起，让西方（或者南边的澳洲）开始感到压力。另一点是，反观马来西亚，本地人不屑干这种低等工作，却埋怨外劳数量增加。洋鬼子穿上制服扫地，好汉一个，也没有市民小看他。

Party, 宴. 2011. Canon 550D.

Brisbane River 烟花盛放之前，河边的高级餐厅的阳台上是一些富有人家。从一个穷留学生的仰角看去，他们是多么地高高在上。或许是我的嫉妒，我把他们关在钢柱后，赋予他们囚犯的形象——被富豪、地位、权利和面子囚禁的可怜虫。

看见我的文字之前，这些照片对你而言，是否有着不一样的意思？