L'excès du visible

The photographed subject in the photograph presents itself to us visually. It is quite literally seen. When we look at a photo, it is the subject we see — in person. Literally, it is perceived. The photographed subject in its appearance is assumed to owe its presence only to pure photogeny. The aim is to return photography to the realm of phenomenon, of the visible, and at the same time to remove it from the conveniences of specialized, theoretical, aesthetic, or critical discourse. Seeing, then, remains a constant concern here. Reflecting on what we see, and describing how we see it in a photo. To do this, we must invoke the preserved naivety of a profane gaze — not even that of an amateur. More than that, it is a phenomenological intent that is required in order to see — to truly see — a photograph.