Today is Deepavali / Diwali, the traditional festival of light, when there is victory over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, and a most appropriate day for reflection. The final words in Melissa Miles’ latest book, Photography, Truth and Reconciliation sum up the role of photography in bringing light where there is or has been darkness. ‘ … the nexus …
What is ‘Truth’?
When we talk of a picture being ‘accurate’, we are using a variety of the concept of ‘truth’. Its meaning depends on the context that we use it. Portraits can be considered truthful. We reveal our ‘true character’ when we act. Religions, philosophies and psychologies all attempt to revel our ‘true nature’. We talk about indexicality as offering a photographic ‘truth’ …