After reading the article, When the Camera Takes Over for the Eye, written by Roberta Smith, where she expresses her opinion on taking pictures of pictures, i could not help but to agree with her. In this day and age, most people own cameras or at least an electronic device that has a camera installed on it. This is why it does not come as a surprise to me that when Smith visited the Venice Biennale this summer she seen numerous people using different types of cameras, especially cellphones. Many people prefer these devices because it allows them to keep up with social networks such as Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. Using a camera on a cellphone makes it must easier and faster to share what one is seeing with the world.
In my perspective taking pictures of pictures, depending on the way you take it, is a way of art. If one is taking a picture so that most of the detail, beauty, and essence of the art work is captured, that is art. I believe this is art because it allows others to see the art work from a different view giving them the opportunity to see it in a way they never seen it before. On the other hand if one is taking a picture of the art work to use it as a way of memory or as a way to say that they have been there that does not count as art. Taking a picture this way does not capture the real beauty of the art work because most of the time it is done in a rush. In conclusion most people do use electronic devices to take pictures of pictures, and i do not see anything wrong with it, especially if they are sharing it with the world. Doing so just gives the world a chance to experience what that person is experiencing.
