The document discusses John Berger's exploration of photography, emphasizing the contrast between objective evidence and subjective meaning in images. It highlights the challenges of interpreting photographs and calls for a recognition of personal significance in art, which is often overlooked. The author encourages readers to engage deeply with Berger's concepts, suggesting a methodical and thoughtful approach to understanding his ideas.

1. An Intro to John
Berger
Sunday, September 18, 11

2. “A game of meaning”:
• The Last Mountie
(His smile becomes nostalgic)
• The Man who Set Fire to Farms
(His smile becomes sinister)
• Before the Trek of Two Thousand Miles
(His smile becomes apprehensive)
• After the Trek of Two Thousand Miles
(His smile becomes modest)...
Sunday, September 18, 11

3. “The photograph offers
irrefutable evidence that this
man, this horse and this bridle
existed. Yet it tells us nothing of
the significance of their
existence” (Berger).
Sunday, September 18, 11

4. André Kertész, “A Red Hussar
Leaving, 1919, Budapest”
Sunday, September 18, 11

5. • How can we “read” a “language
without a code?
• As information, photographs
are “incontrovertible” as facts
but are almost entirely
subjective as meaning.
• We try to ignore this, because
we don’t like facts without
meaning.
• In our current culture, we’ve
come to believe that subjective
meaning is biased,
untrustworthy, and
unimportant.
• Berger argues for subjectivity,
saying that the personal and the
“A Popular Use of subjective is real, meaningful,
Photography” and important in ways we’ve
been too quick to forget.
Sunday, September 18, 11

6. Reading Berger is
hard.
Go slow.
Write lots of notes.
Translate his ideas into your own words.
Stop at the section breaks and connect his
ideas.
If you don’t get it--don’t worry. Keep going.
Sunday, September 18, 11