Tracing the Individual Body - Stephanie Cortez

Overall, this was by far the most interesting article we have read. Right from the start Gunning spoke of “modernity” and how modern change can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution. This concept was interesting to me in the sense that in today’s time one doesn’t really think of anything “modern” coming from that time period or arising from that era. Today, we usually think of what new technologies and electronic devices, iPods, and phones are new on the market, and we generally don’t peek way back into history when considering things that have been improved.

In the introductory portion of the writing, Gunning jumped around a lot using different examples, quotes from knowledgeable people, and different opinions on photography. This way of organization was interesting in the way that many thoughts and ideas were provided, but at the same time slightly confusing. Not until the article reached the topic of “Rationalizing Photography’s Indiscretion” did it all the pieces fit together and his points of photographic reality flowed in a somewhat orderly way.

Is photography discreet or indiscreet? Gunning claims that, “photography is indeed indiscreet, capturing information that could otherwise be hushed up or explained away.” With the way he explained the definition of “indiscreet” I would have to agree with Gunning. It is true that a photo can be kept for a while, studied in detail and drawn conclusions from or that same captured moment could be hidden and never witnessed by anyone again. Another quote from this section that I found to hold much power is, “photography operates as one of the most ambiguous emblems of modern experience” (5). Basically, here he is saying that the physicality of photography represents modernity and modernity is essentially a unique representation of real life. We need to fully understand a particular photograph, in order to get meaning from it.

The author places the focus for the duration of the essay on the photograph being an assistant in the process of detection. Gunning claims that the photograph is the “ultimate modern clue” due to its indexical aspect, iconic aspect, and its detachable nature. The photograph has become a “new discourse of power and control” (6). This aspect later evolved into universal surveillance with photography and a gallery like spectacle used for criminal viewing. I have never looked into photography this closely before this class, nor have I read an article such as this that has made me think of the important uses of photography besides the common enjoyment of an individual.