The Spiritual: Is It Of Relevant Concern For Photography In Western Society

The Spiritual: Is It Of Relevant Concern For Photography in Western Society explores the notion of spirituality in relationship to photography through the concepts of Tolstoy (1828-1910) in relation to the work of contemporary documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado (b.1944). Tolstoy discusses the relationship between art and religion defining spirituality as an essential aspect to all mankind as a form of communication with the aim of uniting men with one another and with God. In considering Tolstoy's notions King aims to gain an understanding as to whether his ideas have any relevance in modern Western society and photography. Further to Tolstoy King aims to explore the definition of the spiritual, discuss art and the spiritual in context of the nineteenth century in relation to modern society, examine spirituality in connection to human emotions and relationships and discuss the critique that surrounds Salgado's work in terms of the efficacy of documentary photography and the photograph's formal qualities.