The Banality of Pixelation in Modern Photography

Years ago, I had the privilege of teaching Photoshop to the renowned Venezuelan artist Oscar Molinari. While guiding him through digital techniques to eliminate pixelation, he stopped me and said, “Pixelation is just what I need!” His words stayed with me, as they encapsulated a profound truth about art and its relationship with technical imperfections.

In our pursuit of perfection, we often conflate technical flaws with creative potential. What was once deemed an undesirable result—like pixelation—can today be reimagined as an artistic resource. This perspective echoes Picasso’s journey: his early drawings, often critiqued as crude or naïve, later came to symbolize the deliberate, boundary-breaking spirit of modern art.

In photography, similar misconceptions persist. Many strive to eliminate cables from urban landscapes or remove unwanted figures from scenes, treating these elements as “errors” rather than acknowledging their role in conveying authenticity. These so-called imperfections are often the context itself—the raw truth of a moment that lends a photograph its narrative power.

Pixelation, for instance, can evoke nostalgia, draw attention to the digital origins of an image, or serve as a commentary on how we consume and alter visuals in the modern era. Rather than seeing it as a flaw to be corrected, it can become a deliberate aesthetic choice, much like abstract brushstrokes in painting.

Ultimately, creativity thrives when we challenge conventions and embrace what others discard. As Molinari taught me that day, sometimes the most “undesirable” results hold the seeds of innovation, reminding us that art is as much about embracing imperfection as it is about pursuing excellence.