Photographs & Context – Terry Barrett
The course notes introduce a fascinating essay, Photographs & Context, by the American art critic and professor Terry Barrett. This essay offers an enlightening perspective on the significance of context in shaping the interpretation of photographs.
Barrett references a photograph by Robert Doisneau of a romantic couple in a café. While the image was taken with permission as part of a project documenting Parisian cafés, its meaning transformed depending on where it was published. In some contexts, the photograph was framed as a depiction of a romantic liaison, while in others, it was used to highlight the perils of alcohol or even the prevalence of prostitution in Paris. This example underscores how the placement and surrounding narrative of a photograph can profoundly alter its perceived meaning.
Barrett argues that context is just as critical to a photograph as the narrative contained within it. He explains this concept clearly, illustrating that the situation in which we encounter an image influences our interpretation of the information it conveys—regardless of the photographer’s original intent. A striking example of this is Steve McCurry’s iconic Afghan Girl. Taken for National Geographic to shed light on the plight of refugees following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the image has since transcended its original purpose. It is now celebrated globally as one of the most iconic portraits in photography, remembered alongside images of Hollywood stars. This shift in interpretation is largely due to how the photograph has been presented and recontextualized since its initial publication.
Barrett’s central argument is that photographs do not have inherent meaning—nor does any visual art. Instead, they require interpretation. He suggests that there are three primary sources of information that viewers rely on to interpret a photograph:
- Information evident in the photograph itself – the visual details and composition within the frame.
- Information surrounding the photograph in its presentation – the context in which the photograph is displayed, such as captions, accompanying text, or the publication it appears in.
- Information about the making of the photograph – the circumstances, intentions, and background of the photographer.
Although these three sources are present in every photograph, they are not always explicitly provided, and interpretation is inherently subjective. As a result, a photograph can be understood in ways far removed from the photographer’s original intentions.
Barrett’s essay serves as a compelling reminder that photographs exist as part of a broader ecosystem of meaning. How we interpret an image depends on its context, and that interpretation can shift over time and across cultural or personal perspectives. This understanding not only enriches our engagement with photographs but also deepens our appreciation of their complex relationship with meaning.
Bibliography
Barrett, T. (1997) Photographs & Context. Available at: http://www.terrybarrettosu.com/pdfs/B_PhotAndCont_97.pdf (Accessed: 17 February 2016).
