Q15

[ap1612]

For the correct answer B -- what are the aims that Cameron had, and how her results were different from them? I agree this is the most supported answer, but I'm still not sure where is the "tension" discussed in the passage.

[maryadkins]

As with Question 11, the key here is not to overlook lines 15-16 of the passage, which tell you Cameron's intent in painting. She aspired to make seamless works of illustrative art. The author is saying that she did actually do this, however. (B) captures the author's point—that this mismatch actually worked out for the better.

(A) is wrong because the passage doesn't trace her development as an artist.
(C) misconstrues the passage's focus, which is not that her theatrical vision defines her work.
(D) totally off. Easy elimination!
(E) is off because the passage is not so much saying her art transcends its homely details as much as they are a key part of it

[RiaK633]

I picked B, but I'm hoping for clarification on C. Her vision is the reason why some of her works were vital (strength) even if in directly, even though some were considered amateur theatricals (weakness).

[BrittanyB879]

I also would like clarification for why C isn't correct. I get why B could be correct but how is it the better answer? Isn't the passage showing how Cameron's vision is related to her strengths AND weaknesses?
Thanks

[ohthatpatrick]

I think an important thing to remember here is that the author thinks that what makes Cameron's photos great is stuff that is beyond Cameron's control, and stuff that Cameron did not intend.

Line 14-20 (pretty much the thesis of the passage), is saying
"Had she SUCCEEDED in her project of [theatrical], illustrative art ... her photos would be meh.
(Since she FAILED to achieve what she was going for, her photos are dope)"

The following line says that it is "precisely the camera's realism that gives Cameron's theatricality its atmosphere of truth".

So it's not theatricality that's bringing out the strengths and weaknesses ... the theatricality is the weakness, and the camera's stubborn realism is the strength.

What our author loves about the photos is no doubt what Cameron would have most hated:
the messy aspects that take you OUT of the epic narrative Cameron is shooting for and bring you INTO the truthful reality of the people who reluctantly / uncomfortably sat for these photos.

To pick (C) is to think that the author was surveying Cameron's body of works and saying, "The theatricality worked really well in this one ... but it's the reason why this one is bad".

Instead, the author is saying, "These would ALL have been cheesy theatrical photos, had she pulled them off. But since she failed to achieve the theatrical vision she had in mind, we get these captivating photos that document her failure."

(C) would be more apt if it read
"to show that the camera's ability to reveal the artifice behind Cameron's theatrical photos accounts for the value of Cameron's photographic oeuvre"