Psychoanalysis.
2011 Apr;22(1):3-8.
Photography and Psychoanalysis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Donganseong Mental Hospital, Anseong, Korea. treeself@hanmail.net
- 2Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Technological and artistic advancements spurred by the invention of cameras have made photography important in our daily lives and in the area of modern art. Based on reviews of some articles and books, this report studies the relationship between photography and psychoanalysis. In psychoanalysis, photography and cameras could be understood as something that give some conscious and unconscious satisfaction by combining voyeuristic and exhibitionistic desires with one's aggressive aspect. Strong appeal of photography may come from its characteristic ability to gratify various levels of unconscious wishes. In addition, this article explains that the photography and cameras have close relationships with some ego functions, namely object constancy, reality definition, etc. Especially, the photography seems to function like a psychic apparatus between unconscious wishes and the reality. Such a psychoanalytic view may give new understanding of photography.
