Assignment: Compare Benjamin and Jünger's views on photography. Why does Jünger refer to the camera as the "evil eye". How does Benjamin's views compare?
Junger views on photography are negative or evil rather than positive or good. It captures and records images of past events that were destructive, violent and evil. It demonstrates the aftermath of war and the pain individuals encountered during these memorable events. He states, “One can tell that the event photographed is seen by an insensitive and invulnerable eye”. To not recognize the pain and suffering of the photographs show humans are not vulnerable or sympathetic. These photographs exhibit malicious acts of our own people being murdered, hurt and tortured. According to Junger photography is the cruel way we view situations. “It is a kind of evil eye” as Junger said.
Benjamin views on photography were positive, useful and good. With photography a person can examine and analyze images in a way other materials can’t. It let us see the unknown or a moment lived in a prior time. It is up to us to enjoy the images or not. It makes the images come alive instead of being a mystery or being unrealistic. It takes art to another level in which is not only considered traditional or religious. Art can help individuals get a visual outlook of what occurs around them. Photographs freezes the moment occurring in the images so we can analyze it from different angles or aspects. It helps us become more knowledgeable of past history and connect it to present events. In my opinion photography can demonstrate evil events but it can also help us individuals to realize the events that occurred in the past. It is up to us and government to use it for evil or something positive.
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