Cogito ergo sum
By Fernando Cascais
21 Aug 2007
Cogito ergo sum
One of the problems in the forums of criticize photography is the aesthetic preconception, that is visible with the frighten that cause the cut horizon in the middle of the photo, cut head or feet, the red sky or orange, the auto of focus, etc, etc.
However when I place the photo, I place it like that because I want, I already know that the head is cut or the sky is red, it was like that for my decision, you remember?
My concern is not to reproduce the universe faithful as they make it the maniacs of the landscapes, or the perfectionist's of the portrait, is to create my proper world with the laws that I want. In my photo world, I am the "god" or the "devil".
Never forget that we know the things, not as they are, but merely as they appear to us.
To the rustic a tree is a tree; to a poet is more than a tree. It is in some sort like this that the "ordinary" photographer sees the matter, through lack of spiritual perception.
My first mental action, when I make photos is, therefore, to shake off tyrannous prejudice of custom, and, not less, the whole weight of knowledge which may seem most legitimately acquired, and may appear endowed with indubitable correctness.
In another words, after thirty years of photography I try to forget everything I learn, (remember Picasso, he only comes Picasso when he "forgot" all the classic rules of realistic paint).
Wend some one critic a photo, mine, or of some one else, don't tell me nothing new about the photo, but tell me a lot of is knowledge and preconception.
If some one do not like the photo is free to say so, but please, do not tell me to adjust the horizon, or not displaying the cloud, or better, not to show the underwear of the model that I chose to displayed ok?
So, I don't want be another Brenson or Koudella because I'm already my self.
That's why, is important that you try to be your self (even poor) not the clone of some one else (apparently attractive).
K.
