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Okay, but for real. What is a photo?

February 12, 2024 / 00:59

This episode discusses the nature of photography, featuring a Samsung executive's perspective on what constitutes a real picture. The conversation touches on the philosophical aspects of photography, comparing digital images with film photography.

The Samsung executive argues that digital photography relies on algorithms to create images, questioning the authenticity of these pictures. He suggests that film photography, which captures photons directly on film, represents the only true form of photography.

The discussion also considers the impact of different film stocks on the final image, debating whether some film stocks can be considered more 'real' than others. The participants engage in a philosophical inquiry about the essence of a photo.

Throughout the episode, the participants grapple with the definition of a photo and the implications of technology on visual representation.

TL;DR

Samsung executive argues digital photos aren't real, only film captures true images.

Episode

0:59
00:00:00
Samsung executive says there's no such
00:00:01
thing as a real picture oh my God and
00:00:04
that's it we're moving on we're moving
00:00:06
on his argument is the full-on
00:00:09
philosophical what what's a picture
00:00:11
anyway if you expose a sensor and it
00:00:14
goes through algorithms to decide what
00:00:16
to show on your screen it's just making
00:00:17
it up film photography is the only way
00:00:20
to take a real photo and that's probably
00:00:22
what he would say too you're literally
00:00:23
having photons just hit the silver
00:00:25
helide crystals and create a negative
00:00:28
that is I think the only way to take a
00:00:30
real photo which is based on photons
00:00:33
doesn't it make a difference what film
00:00:35
stock you use though not really you're
00:00:38
still capturing the photons like I well
00:00:40
not capturing I guess but doesn't it
00:00:41
come out differently based on theil so
00:00:44
then would you argue that maybe only
00:00:46
some film stock is a real photo and the
00:00:47
other one's adding too much of a
00:00:49
stylization to it they all add a
00:00:50
stylization I think you're all agreeing
00:00:52
there's no such thing as a real photo I
00:00:54
think that's well then what is a
00:00:57
photo

Episode Highlights

  • Film vs. Digital
    The debate over what constitutes a real photo continues, with film photography championed as the true method.
    “Film photography is the only way to take a real photo.”
    @ 00m 17s
    February 12, 2024
  • The Nature of Photography
    A Samsung executive argues that modern photography lacks authenticity. "There's no such thing as a real photo."
    “There's no such thing as a real photo.”
    @ 00m 52s
    February 12, 2024

Episode Quotes

  • What's a picture anyway?
    Okay, but for real. What is a photo?
  • Film photography is the only way to take a real photo.
    Okay, but for real. What is a photo?
  • There's no such thing as a real photo.
    Okay, but for real. What is a photo?

Key Moments

  • Philosophical Debate00:09
  • Film Photography00:17
  • Authenticity Questioned00:52

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