Examining the nature of the photographic medium; a praxis and exploration into the obsoleteness of analog Photography

Abstract

This paper explores the indexicality and materiality of the photographic medium, precisely the analog type, to examine the reality of the photographic image. It is praxis and a study that seeks to keep alive the obsoleteness of analog photography. It discusses the photograph as an image and an object to determine the medium’s nature and ascertain whether it simply represents actual states of things or events above all other art representation forms. Old photographic films or negatives were found and collected from commercial photography studios. These films were subjected to unorthodox chemical processes to observe and experiment for outcomes. The study also traced some reality claims about the photograph and contesting arguments establishing paradoxical concerns about the medium. Through a series of questions and the studio-based experimentations in the gaze of progressing contemporary art practices, possible and alternative claims are artistically and metaphorically interpreted. The study outcome integrates the concept of sculpture as a presentational form.

Keywords

• Reality
• analog photography
• photograph
• medium
• image
• object