The Photographic Dictionary of Human Visual Activity

The Photographic Dictionary of Human Visual Activity is a unique project combining lexicographic methodology with photographic documentation. Created by Seweryn Puchała, the dictionary is structured around thirty general entries that represent key aspects of human visual activity, illustrated by nearly 1900 original photographs taken by the author between 2005 and 2020 in various countries. The dictionary is not a traditional lexicon but rather a visual exploration of how humans interact with and shape their environment through everyday objects, spaces, and symbols. Each entry is introduced with a definition from the Wielki Słownik Języka Polskiego PWN, followed by a series of photographs that contextualize the term in real-world settings. The project draws on theories of visual culture from thinkers such as Nicolas Mirzoeff and John Berger, emphasizing the importance of context and the act of seeing as a learned and ongoing process. The dictionary’s layout is dynamic, with photographs arranged to reflect both the diversity of human visual experience and the specificities of each entry. The work aims to be a resource for designers, photographers, and scholars interested in the intersection of language, image, and everyday life.