What is the social function and value of photography?

Speaking of the social function of photography, at the end of 19 and the beginning of the 20th century, Reiss, a Dutch journalist, began to use photographs as evidence to support social positions. His most famous work "The Life of the Other Half" briefly describes the role of social photography, providing the living conditions of the lowest people for the upper and middle classes. He is convinced that the authenticity of photos is a way to provide conclusive evidence.

Today, photographers are still using cameras to win the support of public opinion: the poor and homeless, AIDS patients, farmland crisis, environmental pollution and so on. So when photographers aim at the dark side of life, their identities change. In addition to working for the government and non-governmental organizations, he becomes a social responsibility bearer invisibly. Although some photos can't be published, many dedicated photographers are still working hard for their beliefs. As long as it can show the real suffering and injustice, people will naturally respond.

Perhaps at the beginning of the invention of the camera, photographers didn't realize that photos can bring such a huge impact on society and culture, and its significance goes far beyond the scope of pure art. Indeed, only by closely combining artistic expression with social functions can photography maintain its vitality and glow with new vitality.

Ha ha. . . for reference only