Decolonising the Camera: Photography in Racial Time

by Mark Sealy

Decolonising the Camera trains Mark Sealy's sharp critical eye on the racial politics at work within photography, in the context of heated discussions around race and representation, the legacies of colonialism, and the importance of decolonising the university. Sealy analyses a series of images within and against the violent political reality of Western imperialism, and aims to extract new meanings and develop new ways of seeing that bring the Other into focus. The book demonstrates that if we do not recognise the historical and political conjunctures of racial politics at work within photography, and their effects on those that have been culturally erased, made invisible or less than human by such images, then we remain hemmed within established orthodoxies of colonial thought concerning the racialised body, the subaltern and the politics of human recognition. With detailed analyses of photographs - included in an insert - by Alice Seeley Harris, Joy Gregory, Rotimi Fani-Kayode and others, and spanning more than 100 years of photographic history, Decolonising the Camera contains vital visual and written material for readers interested in photography, race, human rights and the effects of colonial violence.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, History, Politics, Art History, Race

294 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2019

Reviews

[Freca - Narrazioni da Divano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saggio imprescindibile per chi è interessato al post colonialismo, allá teoria della rappresentazione e al ruolo dell'arte nel plasmare la nostra percezione della realtà e nel riflettere, rendere palpabile il nostro filtro interpretativo di ciò che ci circonda.
Il percorso parte dall'Africa, dalle prime fotografie ma arriva ai nostri giorni e propone una analisi accurata di come la fotografia sia stata un modus propagandistico, una tecnica per limitare lo sguardo e creatrice di un mondo secondo parametri congeniali al messaggio che si voleva fare arrivare, uno strumento per supportare la propria percezione, e propone un nuovo approccio di riappropriazione del mezzo per una rappresentazione più completa e sfaccettata ma anche, e soprattutto, un approccio critico e analitico delle vecchie fotografie in modo tale che diventino figlie della loro epoca e se ne possano apprezzare i retroscena politici (inteso in senso lato) e sociali così da comprendere la percezione dell'epoca, i messaggi che venivano costruiti e la realtà dei fatti. Ho molto apprezzato l'analisi che fa della corporeità, del rapporto con la rappresentazione della violenza e soprattutto come venivano percepite nel mindset dell'epoca certe fotografie che attualmente ci lascerebbero Al minimo in estremo disagio, perché con la consapevolezza attuale ne vediamo tutta la inappropriatezza del rapporto fra colonizzatori e colonizzati. Il focus sui missionari, inoltre, è quello più interessante perché mette in luce in modo più chiaro tutte le contraddizioni: chi va ad aiutare, con comunque buone intenzioni, ma è comunque settato su una concezione di superiorità, di deus ex machina, di non comprensione ma solo imposizione del proprio modello di bene e quindi si vive in un contrasto etico attualmente evidente ma all'epoca giustificato e normalizzato, anzi esaltato.

[Andrea Fideler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sealy presents an in-depth look at racial time as evidenced in key photographic examples. His thorough analysis of historical context and his critical eye make this an informative and inspiring read.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It expanded upon some post-modern and critical theory surrounding colonialism I've encountered previously and introduced me to a critical approach to photography. Many useful insights throughout the text. A good read indeed

[Lyds Leather · Rating 5 out of 5]

really incredible historical context of photography and the technology of the camera as a tool for imperialism, along side how it can be owed as a tool for liberation.
think everyone who is interested in photos and radical documentation should read

[Bjorn Comhaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photography is never neutral, and does not show 'the reality' but rather 'a reality'. That is - as far as I understand - what this book is about.

Sealy presents a number of indepth case studies and points out how the colonial/oppressor's gaze influenced and possibly still influences the way the colonized/oppressed is depicted in photography. His analyses are those of a person who is used to looking at photography and art from a point of view which may not necessarily reflect that of an 'average' viewer though. He is aware of this, but sometimes gets a bit carried away in his analysis, which is clearly from a modern point of view which may not have been the point of view at the time the images were made.

[Jack Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really important collection of essays in which Mark weaves together foundational ideas, new interpretations, and points to where we go next. Whilst the structure feels a little loose there is a clear thread running through all these chapters, with each illustrating another way to read the decolonisation of the camera. Readable, engaging, and guiding, this book will stand as a landmark publication in the field for many years to come. (4.5*)