Reading 2

1. The author argues that interpretation is an ongoing process. There isn't necessarily a wrong or right way to interpret a work of art, but there are better ways than others and there are more than one possibilities of interpreting art. By using personal experience and information provided to us, interpreting a photograph becomes more meaningful and relevant.
2. The author mentions Jeff Walls photograph and Susan Sontag's review of it as he describes her interpretation of his work in great detail. He also mentions Joel-Peter Witkins' work and how it draws questions and is more difficult to interpret. He also mentions Nelson Goodman's concept of the "innocent eye" in that we tend to look for things we see as facts as he argues that we need to use prior experience and knowledge.
3. Barrett defines interpretation as an act of identifying objects in a photograph and judging their significance. Interpretation is comprehending the information provided in a photograph to have a better understanding and appreciation of the meaning.
4. Barrett argues that interpretation is important in criticism of photographs as it influences one's thinking about the image. Critics tell others what they think is most important about the photo and how everything works to influence others' interpretations of the photo.
5. Formalist interpretation is the critical position in which the most important aspect of analyzing a work of art is by its form. This interpretive strategy stood out to me because I thought it was interesting that everything you need to interpret a work of art is within the work itself rather than comparing it to the real world.
6. In the section, "'Right' Interpretations," the author argues that some interpretations are better than others and it is beneficial to look at multiple perspectives to have a better understanding and appreciation of the photograph. Barrett argues that not all interpretations are equal in that they are "right" or "wrong." However, some interpretations can be seen as being more plausible than others. Considering a wide range of multiple perspectives is beneficial because it can better your understanding of the art and create more meaning.
7. In the section, "Interpretations and the Artist's Intent," White argues that interpretation is more of the viewers' responsibility than the artists' to make sense of the photograph. He argues that intentionalism is faulty and a weak method as it is interpreted how the artist intended. It is hard to determine what the artist intended to convey, as many don't explain their intent and aren't available to comment. Critics judge the photograph based on if they think the photographer was successful in conveying his or her intention. Many photographers make art with the intention to leave interpretation for critics, as they could have added unintended meanings. He argues that that there are many possible interpretations of a work and the viewer should not privilege one more than another because of who it comes from. It is ethically the viewers' responsibility to interpret an artists' work and to take into consideration the makers' interpretation if it is provided to better understand and appreciate his or her work.
8. The author argues that a piece of art can have a personal significance and a meaning. A significance places more value on what the photograph means to us, whereas meaning is the underlying theme or portrayal. There is a difference in what the photograph means to the viewer and what it is actually representing. If more emphasis is placed on personal significance, it becomes more about the viewer and less about the work itself. The author also argues that interpretation should take into account for our life experiences, intuition, and how we perceive the work to be. How we feel about the image allows us to learn more about it, decipher it, and appreciate it to a higher extent.
9. The author concludes that interpretation is an engaging exercise that requires the reader to put effort into understanding the photograph. We should look for and consider multiple perspectives to increase our own understanding of the art and create meaning. Interpreting a photograph isn't necessarily figuring out what the artist wanted us to see, or what the photographer saw. Photographs provide information, but it is up to the viewer to decipher it through their personal experiences and associations with it.