You may look at the photograph, but you're not SEEING the photograph

I can look at a photograph, investigate every little detail one by one, and be pretty well-prepared to explain to someone what the photo depicts. But I can never truly understand the context in which it belongs with the photo alone. In the words of Susan Sontag, "the truths that can be rendered in a dissociated moment, however significant or decisive, have a very narrow relation to the needs of understanding." It is one thing to be able to know of the situation depicted in a photo: it is an entirely different thing to be able to understand and empathize with whoever and whatever inhabits the photo. I believe that one's ability to relate to and therefore truly understand a photograph relies on experiences comparable to those in the photograph. 

In the above photo, I am the very insignificant rhythm guitarist in the top left. Although my stint on the musical stage was brief, it was an experience nonetheless that helped to shape the way I view the world (just like all experiences). Because I have played music on a stage in front of a decent amount of people, I am better equipped to understand the men seen in this photo: 

http://www.fatberris.com/2010/01/26/rolling-stones-under-my-dub-todd-terje-remix/

In no way am I attempting to compare myself with Keith Richards and Mick Jagger: that would be an act of heresy. What I am trying to convey through this peculiar means is that I can relate to the actions of these men because of my past experience in a band on stage. There are millions of photos I am able to understand because there are millions of photos depicting scenarios and events similar to those in my life. This is how people understand a photo, by being able to relate with whatever is in it. 

The most popular and intriguing photographs however, depict things not so easily understood as the one of Keith and Mick. A photo of a woman kneeling and sobbing over the body of her dead son shows an experience that most people cannot relate to. It is our inability to understand clashing with our "needs of understanding" that make the most popular photos ones of violence, tragedy and other unthinkable occurrences that your average person cannot even begin to comprehend. 

So as we scroll through the newspaper or turn on the news, we cannot help but be entranced by shocking photos from war torn countries and terrible tragedies. The superficial extent of our viewings of such photographs perplex us greatly: we wish so badly to understand what is happening in the photo, but are limited to just knowing.