Life and Art from FT Weekend What is the future of photography?
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Nov 4, 2024 
Ariella Budick, a US art critic for the Financial Times with a Ph.D. in photography history, discusses the evolution of photography amid claims of its demise. She examines how smartphones and AI have transformed the medium yet emphasizes its resilience and adaptability. Budick highlights the shift from traditional documentary styles to new methods of storytelling and the ongoing challenges of authenticity in the digital age. Additionally, she reflects on the unique emotional depth that human photographers bring, contrasting it with the limitations of AI.
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Shifting Perceptions of Reality
- Modern photographers now openly acknowledge the constructed nature of images.
- This reflects a broader societal questioning of truth and reality.
Influences on Diane Arbus
- Diane Arbus, known for portraits at carnivals and freak shows, was influenced by Lisette Modell, Robert Frank, and Walker Evans.
- Modell taught Arbus an 'unbeautiful' way of seeing, while Frank and Evans offered distinct documentary styles.
Two Branches of Street Photography
- Street photography has two main approaches: the hunter, capturing serendipitous moments, and the stalker, creating formally composed images.
- Henri Cartier-Bresson's decisive moment exemplifies the former, while the latter involves intentional framing and rapport with subjects.
