Ontology of the photographic image

The ontology of the photographic image explores what a photograph is beyond just a picture. It examines the nature, existence, and meaning of photographs, asking how they represent reality, convey memory, or evoke emotions. This study considers the photograph as a relation between reality and its visual record, understanding its role as a form of knowledge, art, and communication. Essentially, it looks at what makes a photograph a photograph—its structure, purpose, and the ways it functions in human perception and understanding of the world.