‘Camera Lucida’ is a book published in 1980 by a French philosopher Roland Barthes. It is an exploration of into the essence of photography, as well as a eulogy of Bathes’ late mother. Barthes considers photography to have just as much effect on the body as on the mind. It discusses the lasting emotional effects on particular photographs. What does one simply learn from ‘Camera Lucida’? Barthes was not interested or concerned with the technique of photography. In the book he focuses on two planes of images. The first is called studium, it is the context and meaning of the photograph; culture, history and art. ‘The studium is a kind of education.’ The second is called punctum, it is the part of the photograph which captures our attention and consumes the audience, it does not belittle down to a specific meaning or kind of beauty. Every photograph for Barthes is a memorial. 

Personally, Barthes’ interpretation and perception of photography highlights the detail of photographs. He does not care for the technical side of photography but only gives importance to the meaning and the aspects of the art which completely and utterly consume us. I think this translates to my project very easily, the photographs I am taking concentrate on the emotions and feelings you can have from an image. Photographs are very powerful and personal when individuals gain a connection with them. 

The photograph unclassifiable: Barthes believes photographs cannot be classified regarding movements, subject matter or style because all are external to the subject itself and can in turn be be applied to any other art or image. The photograph always points or leads back to the subject. ‘…a weightless transparent envelope.’ Barthes views photography as belonging to a category of ‘laminated objects’ which cannot be divided from one another without having to destroy both parts. 

‘in order to see a photograph well, it is best to look away or close your eyes…’

‘He is allergic to cleverness in photography…’

http://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/23/books/death-in-the-photograph.html?pagewanted=all