Ways of Seeing by John Berger discusses the ideas of perception with examples using portraits, photographs and film. His use of these basic images signifies the images of the world. Subsequently his explanations about viewing an image can be applied in everyday life when viewing scenery or looking at a person.
Berger opens by explaining why seeing is so important. One of his reasons is that seeing helps one establish their place in the world. This explanation can be taken literally in that a person can be at home on their couch in middle Ventura. However, a person’s place in the world is directly connected to where they are in life. So that same person could be in college, struggling with bills and working on their English homework. This person requires a critical eye in order to see past the simple location of their body and see where their mind and thoughts are. Another reason why seeing is so important is that seeing allows for an explanation for the world around us. Although Berger uses the term “explanation”, I believe that the word “clarification” fits better with what he is trying to say. Seeing can be deceiving therefore what we see cannot be a complete explanation for what is going on. However, the sights can provide some clarification without truly knowing what is occurring.
This idea of explanation of sights was described in more detail. Berger believed that the true explanation of what is occurring, which I believe cannot be discovered through sight, is not as gratifying as the sight itself. Berger uses the example of a sunset. Seeing the wonderful colors and disappearing sun is almost indescribable. However, the sunset is factually the earth turning away from the sun. The knowledge of the action does not quite fit the sight of the action. I think this idea and example resonates with everyone because we have all had a time in our life where we have seen great things, but the actual explanation does not seem to match the magnitude of what we are seeing. Berger also states that a view cannot be a libel or a purposeful lie because even though it might seem like a lie or deceiving, all sights are truthful and can only be misconstrued if the observer chooses to do so. I wonder, what are some reasons someone would twist a situation so that what they see to be false?
When we see an image, we see it differently than any other person. This is because we have different beliefs and knowledge that factor into our judgments. Therefore, each time a person sees the same image, they can feel differently about its meaning because their beliefs and knowledge have changed since the last time it was viewed. Also, art mystifies meaning in that it describes things that in other situations might be apparent. However, in creations of art, the artist is able to point the observer in the right direction of what kind of reaction or meaning they would like the other to get of it.
Art has changed dramatically since the introduction of the camera. Although both portraits and pictures depend on the subject being depicted, other factors drive these two apart. The meaning of a picture from a camera changes with the lighting and angles, whereas a portrait’s meaning changes with the brush strokes and colors. In addition, the camera reproduces images and breaks it into many meanings. Does the reproduction of an image take away from its complete original meaning or just partially?
Overall, the idea of perception is important and affects everyone despite where they come from, their ethnicity, their gender or any other factors. The ideas presented by Berger can be used in everyday life as well as when looking at a portrait by a famous artist.
Work Cited
John., Berger,, and Et Al. Ways of Seeing (A Pelican Original). London: British Broadcasting Corp, 1972.
