Irony of War Photography
Sontag points out, in the same vein as Virginia Woolf, that the mere representation of a horrific image in a work of war photography is not the same as making an argument. If the intention is to demonstrate the terrible reality of war and shock the public into pacifism, it's equally likely that it simply galvanizes the public into putting in more effort to the war to win it quickly and prevent further injustices while avenging the ones already perpetrated. The medium, therefore, is inherently ironic.
Irony of Virginia Woolf
In Three Guineas, Virginia Woolf begins by recounting her interaction with a male lawyer who asks how 'we' can stop the atrocity of war. In response, she says that there is no 'we:' because of the differences between men and women, they cannot relate on a basic level about such an issue. Ironically, she then assumes that all people will have the same response to viewing war images: pacifism. Sontag argues that Woolf starts off on the right idea but then concedes far too easily: the concept of 'we' is more elusive than it might appear.
Irony of Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg, among other directors, aimed to ignite the same emotions in viewers of his film as viewers of war photography from its inception years ago. Ironically, in creating masterful films that demonstrate the atrocious truths they intend, these directors have accidentally and retroactively caused the original photographs to be less impactful, as when an image might be taken from a movie, it seems surreal rather than real.
Irony of Television
When the television was invented, it seemed like an opportune way to broadcast the horrors of war to all people in order to alert them to the problem and spur them on to action. The reality, however, was quite different; as people viewed these images on couches from the comfort of their homes, they felt removed and dissociated from them, thus actually having a counterproductive effect.
Irony of Proficiency
According to Sontag, photography is an interesting and somewhat ironic subject in that one can be an absolute beginner and still capture incredible photographs on the level of the experienced. Proficiency is not required to be a good photographer; anyone can do it, given the right opportunity and equipment.
