Cotton Ch. 1

I think the most essential part of this reading is the discussion of the popularization of conceptualization within photography. It discusses how photography was not only primarily an art form but a way of speaking to a purpose. The idea of making a statement by setting up a photograph such as Melanie Manchots "Gestures of Demarcation" in order to move the viewer not only aesthetically but emotionally or politically. Many of these messages are subliminal and take a moment or two to pick up on.  This reminds me of the movements in painting and other mediums at similar times.