Question # 3

Their are numerous separate emotions that can be felt by humans and they can all be felt at different intensity levels. When one sees a sad photograph they are experiencing the same sadness they would feel from another catalyst that would cause sadness, just at a different level. Humans are visual creatures, and when we see a photograph of a sad event it allows us to connect with it. Because of this photographs have the ability to rile up emotions to an extreme level that many other catalysts cannot. The power of photographs is not in their ability to create a new emotion, but to rather allow an old one to rise to a new level. The fact that photographs display an event in a way that is easy to comprehend and understand makes them an item that stirs up emotions vividly and effectively. A perfect example of this is the photo of the falling man from 9/11. When one is told that people jumped from the buildings, they are sad but are not truly intrigued. Then if they are shown this photo, the calmness of his stance and the reality of what he is doing hits the viewer. It forces the viewer to realize what was truly happening and how depressing it was. It mentally effects the viewer in ways that other catalysts of motions cannot. In summary, pictures do not create a different type of any emotion, they simply have the power to form a mental connection between the viewer and the image that influences emotions more significantly.