Finding One's Subjective Truth

Søren Kierkegaard, considered the first existentialist philosopher, argued that when it comes to Christianity one must find truth on their own: a subjective truth. One can be influenced, can be taught, and can be guided; however, in the end, one must find these realities on their own terms and on their own time to truly be known.  I argue that this theory can be applied not only to Christianity, but to all knowledge. In order to really "know", you must find that truth on your own. I find this especially applicable when it comes to artistic intelligence.  The novel Camera Lucida, I find to be, is Barthes struggle to find his own truth within photography as an art.  He questions what makes him feel and what makes him static, while battling the concept of writing a novel explaining an art. "I realized with irritation that none discussed precisely the photographs which interest me, which give me pleasure or emotion" (Barthes, 7). "I wanted to be primitive, without culture" (Barthes, 7). Barthes is given the tools to observe photography. He knows who he likes and who he doesn't; he has influences and teachers and an innate eye; but in the end he desires to be "primitive". I think Barthes is touching upon this subjective truth when speaking of the "notion known as an artists style" (Barthes, 18). He describes how he can find work from an artist that makes him feel something, however, he cannot be moved from every single photograph from an author. That would be having the same exact subjective truth, which I don't believe is possible. 

"In this glum desert, suddenly a specific photograph reaches me; it animates me, and i animate it."

We must learn what evokes emotion within ourselves. We must find truth in the photographs we are taking or are observing in order to be not only memorable in the world of photography, but also truly satisfied.