Sontag's "America Seen Through Photographs, Darkly"

Image Credit: Diane Arbus

Image Credit: Diane Arbus

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Susan Sontag's "America Seen Through Photographs, Darkly" explores the art form of photography. As I read, I felt as though Sontag argued that the subject matter of one photograph is just as important or just as beautiful as another. Photographers used to focus mainly on universally beautiful subjects for their work (such as a flower or a woman).

However, some photographers have deviated from this trend and began photographing subjects that seem less than beautiful to the viewer. She extensively uses Arbus' photographs as an example, as Arbus focused on photographing "ugly" subjects (a few of Arbus' photographs are shown above). In one of her personal writings, Arbus mentioned that people immediately focus on flaws when viewing others as a reason for her choice of subjects. Through photographing traditionally less than beautiful subjects, Arbus was arguing and supporting Sontag's argument that everything is beautiful.

Sontag also argued that the context shapes the interpretation of the photograph. Arbus chose to photograph only people and things that were seemingly out of the ordinary such as the woman in the wheelchair with the mask or the boy with the awkward smile. Despite these photographs seeming "strange" at first glimpse, a closer look into the photograph and what surrounds the photograph might give clues to the photograph's normalcy.

Towards the end of the essay, I began thinking about the media and art and its role in our society. Sontag discusses how several things are that are suppressed in our society later become integrated into our society (images of death and dying, for example). It seems to me that art might be a vehicle for the suppressed to become an accepted part of society. As people are more exposed to shocking things, the element of shock decreases, thus allowing more acceptance on the part of the viewer.

I do agree with all of these concepts I have extracted from Sontag's essay, and I believe Arbus is a powerful example to use to illustrate these ideas of "there is beauty in everything" and "context is important in interpreting". While I did not look too much into the photographs I selected to include in this blog, I can think of numerous reasons for the people in the photographs to be acting or smiling the way that they are. For example, the boy might have just been frightened while playing outside, giving him the awkward smile and unkept appearance.

In one part of the essay, Sontag stated that the "weird" or "ugly" people photographed did not show signs of pain or despair like the people that were seemingly normal in photographs. This might seem contrary to what one might think because someone in an insane asylum, for example, might have some inner struggles due to the society they live in. However, she later references a secondary source that mentions that people that are unaware they are being photographed will show more of their true feelings than will someone that has been posed for a photograph. Since Arbus' subjects consented to and posed for the photograph, wouldn't that be the reason that her "ugly" subjects did not show their pains to the camera?

Rosie the Riveter Image

Image Credit: War Productions Co-ordinating Committee

The wartime poster featuring Rosie the Riveter, pictured above, argues that women are capable of having jobs that were traditionally reserved for men. This was particularly significant during World War II as many women were forced into work outside the home because so many men were part of the war effort. The positive language used in the poster's headline illustrates that women are confident that they can successfully work outside the home. Despite her long eyelashes, perfectly groomed eyebrows, and lips laden with red lipstick, Rosie's flexed arm, serious facial expression, and tied-back hairdo gives her a sense of masculinity. The large size of her arm and her action of flexing her arm muscles is symbolic of her strength and ability to work outside the home. Her serious facial expression makes her seem confident in her abilities and ready to work. And her tied-back hairdo mirrors the traditional hairdo of a man, short and out of the way. This depiction of male features on Rosie serves to show that she has the capability to work outside the traditional realm of women's work. The woman's pin on the collar of her shirt demonstrates that she herself supports women in the workforce.

Rosie's patriotic attire is of some significance, but I cannot put my finger on it definitely. I am thinking it is showing her support of the war effort. In that case, this poster might also be arguing that women are able to help the United States win the war.

This poster was put out by the War Production Co-ordinating Committee (or at least this committee endorses the poster because the committee's name is printed in the lower right-hand corner). I am not quite sure of the significance of this committee on the poster.

About Me

My name is Holly Michele Jefferys, but I go by my middle name. I was born in Austin and I live in Austin again now, but I have spent most of my life in The Woodlands. My family is one of the most important things in my life. I have one brother and one sister (pictured above), who are both much younger than I am. I went to a small high school and I now go to one of the largest universities. I was not in the top ten percent of my graduating class, so I did the CAP in order to transfer to UT. I spent my first year of college at UTSA, and I am beginning my senior year at UT this year. I am majoring in nutrition, a passion of mine, however I want to go to pharmacy school after I receive my degree. The summer of my sophomore year I had the opportunity to participate in a nutrition study abroad program in Spain. This experience not only opened my eyes to another part of the world and another culture, but also showed me how fortunate I should be for some of the simplest luxuries I used to take for granted (like air conditioning). In my spare time, I enjoy being with my friends and family, going out on the lake, playing Super Nintendo, playing kickball, and doing crossword puzzles among other things. I love listening to country, alternative, and 80’s music. The Randy Rogers Band is my favorite (click here to hear my favorite song J). Reading has never been a real interest of mine, however I do love reading magazines. In the next couple of years, I hope to learn to become a great cook, learn to scuba dive and see the underwater world, go skydiving and/or bungee jumping, and see the rest of the world.