Studium

Tents at Woodstock

-        Studium is a form of human interest in a photo, due to the photograph’s political or historical element. Studium, however, is just a general interest, not a deep, emotional, or a personal connection that causes pain or delight. You either like the photo or dislike the photo. It is never love.

-        For the image that I have selected, I chose a historical photo of the hippie movement in the 1960s. The photo selected, represents tents at the Woodstock. The Woodstock presented a large group of a counterculture generation and brought in thousands of hippies for the three-day music festival. In this photo, the number of tents indicate that the event was a busy and crowded one.  Due to the visible people in the photograph, as well as the car, it is noticeable that the event took place in the past. The man’s long locks, fringe vest, and overall style, symbolizes the 1960s.

-        Based on Barthes’s reading, this photo represents a scene of history. Staring at the photograph that corresponds to a legendary concert can initiate immediate appeal. The people present, the outfits, the setting, and the quality of the photo create the fascination that I have for the image. The photographer successfully captured a piece of history with his/her evidence that the Woodstock existed. The photo, however, does not personally relate to me. If the photo somehow generated a deep, emotional, and personal feeling within me, then the photo would be considered a punctum. However, it does not, and therefore it is only a studium. 

-Photo via Tumblr-