In my experience education, which some would call social reality indoctrination, plus one's desire to extend what's learned increases the likelihood of employing allegory in their life and work. Sometimes we call these people Artists. (Two of my younger brothers are that way. One is a scholar and critic, the other a game designer who employs his vast knowledge of ancient mythology.) People so motivated are rare. Among photographers who employ allegory I would add to those already mentioned Emmet Gowin, Teun Hocks, and Shana and Robert Parkeharrison. It is not important that we like or respect their work, but recognize it as allegorical.
It is easy to think that Western culture before photography had a richer imagination than we have today, but I don't believe it to be true or even possible. Art was certainly the domain of the privileged/mentored craftsman. Is it different today? I do not think so. People say that mechanically enabled image-making and the Internet has democratized art, but people have always done craftsmanship (now called art, for better or worse.)
Later when I can return to the keyboard I hope to discuss the concept of 'vividness' of popular media and how it has become inflated expectations, available heuristics.
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