Nietzsche’s ideas in photography
While Nietzsche did not directly address photography, his philosophies have still impacted how the medium is understood, both in terms of the photographer’s role as a creator and the interpretative nature of the photographic truth. The fusion of philosophy and photography creates a dialogue that influences contemporary art and thought.
Know thyself
Every photograph is taken from a specific point of view, literally and metaphorically. The photographer’s shooting style, perspective, subject choice, framing, composition etc. all shape the outcome. There is no such thing as a truly objective photograph, as each image reflects the subjective reality of the photographer, echoing Nietzsche’s idea of perspectivism, the idea that truth is always a matter of perspective. There is no absolute truth, only interpretations. Two photographers could capture and interpret the same scene in completely different ways, with one focusing on beauty of the subject and the other on despair that she or he sees in it. It highlights the argument that our understanding of reality is shaped by our subjective perspectives, just as the photograph is shaped by the photographer's choices.
Do thy own shit
The concept of will to power suggests a driving force within all beings to enhance their individuality and strength. In photography, this idea manifests in how the artist seek to express their creative power and vision. Every photographic endeavour can be seen as a projection of the photographer's will.
On a general level, experimental photography (alternative processes, avant-garde photography, emerging technology etc.) can be seen as expressions of this creative force, pushing the boundaries of what the entire medium can do. On a personal level, it can be seen as the photographer’s desire to create, capture, and impose their vision on the world and reserve the right to do things in their own way.
The desire to take photos, to communicate a feeling or an idea, or to push the boundaries of the medium all reflect will to power. Photographers often challenge themselves and their viewers by offering new ways of seeing and understanding the world, embodying Nietzsche's idea that life is a process of becoming.
Become thyself
Nietzsche criticized traditional values and sought to redefine concepts like morality and art in a way that freed individuals to create their own values. Revaluation has parallels with modern and contemporary movements that reject traditional artistic norms and embrace more radical, personal, and sometimes transgressive forms of expression. The rejection of classical beauty or conventional composition in favor of raw, unpolished, or abstract forms reflects Nietzschean ideas of breaking free from societal constraints and traditional standards. For example, marginalized and taboo subjects, embody the idea of going beyond traditional moral or aesthetic values.
Nietzsche believed that individuals must continuously strive to overcome themselves — to go beyond their limitations and constantly evolve. This philosophy can inspire photographers to challenge their own creative boundaries, evolving their style, subject matter, or technique over time.
Serious photographers exemplify this concept through their continual reinvention and pursuit of new challenges in their work. Rather than settling into a comfortable pattern, they constantly refine their craft, explore new ideas, and push themselves beyond what they had previously achieved. I think this this is something that we should be reminding ourselves in the age of social media. Algorithms and our neverending thirst for likes, followers and superficial fame, tends to direct our creative choises, turning us into walking xerox machines. Most of us are copying each others and especially ourselves to exhaustion and we rarely stop to question whether this endless cycle of repetition is taking us anywhere.
Be thyself
The übermensch in Nietzsche’s philosophy represents an individual who transcends conventional morality and societal norms to create their own values. Photographers who embrace bold, visionary, and often controversial work, can be seen as striving for the übermensch ideal, creating new aesthetic values and ways of seeing. In photography, the Übermensch can be seen in artists who break away from traditional approaches and challenge accepted standards. Photographers can create new ways of seeing and completely new visual languages. They are not bound by traditional rules of visual arts or representation, but instead seek to redefine what photography can be.
Photographers often operate in a world where there is no singular or absolute meaning to their work. This opens up photography to more playful, experimental, and deconstructive approaches, where the meaning of a photograph is not fixed but fluid, depending on the viewer's interpretation. The ambiguity and multiplicity of meaning in photography reflect Nietzsche's idea that without overarching structures of meaning, individuals (and artists) must create their own interpretations and values.
