Welcome and Introduction: Points of Departure

The opening of the 3rd Essen Symposium for Photography by Steffen Siegel, Professor for the Theory and History of Photography at Folkwang University of the ArtsWhat if speculation about photography’s future has alwaysshaped the medium’s presence? In his opening address, Steffen Siegel frames photography as a history of past futures, shaped by expectations, hopes, and projections – from early daguerreotype announcements to the launch of the iPhone. Speculation, he suggests, is a forward-looking practice with a double edge: it can generate insight, yet also distort perception. So understanding photography’s future requires a deep graspof its ruptures, reconfigurations, shifting material and epistemic conditions, rather than a simple linear narrative. What happens if the real question may not be whether speculation can mislead, but how engaging with its risks might reveal unexpected ways of understanding the medium? Join the conversation and leave a comment to speculate with Steffen and us. This session was recorded on February 4, 2026, on theoccasion of the 3rd Essen Symposium for Photography »What Will Photography Be? An Invitation to Speculate«, hosted by the Essen Center for Photography.