"The Photographic Moment, a Visual Experience" By Dr. Roberto Muffoletto, Coordinator New Media & Global Education, College of Education Appalachian State University, USA

Abstract

At its very essence a photographic moment is a visual experience, it is a moment of recognition. There are two major ways to consider the making of photographs: First, as a decisive moment where the external world appears to take form: form emerging out of the confusion, the disorder of the world, a decisive moment. Second, is to impose idiosyncratic form, a moment of recognition, an act on the external world, a moment of decision. How we understand these two dialectics defines our relationship to the photograph as a visual experience, as a result of our own consciousness.

As we all become more connected, networked through a fluid digital media environment, quests for individual expression within a diminishing cultural horizon, makes it even more critical that we explore the relationship between the photograph, its creation, and its meaning.

Bio

Roberto Muffoletto is a Professor at Appalachian State University in the United States. He is a Fulbright Scholar, was founder and director of CEPA Gallery, and has served as editor for "Camera Lucida: Journal on the Criticism of Photography", and "Frame|Work: Journal on Images and Culture".
Currently he is director of the VASA-Project, a global online digital media education project.
He may be reached via email.