![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Photographs Everywhere, But Is It Really Art?
I once heard a lady say to a photographer that she would have bought his work if it had been a painting. She liked the image, but for whatever reason didn't consider the medium suitable for her "it's just a photo". I am sure that some share her thoughts, whilst others would be quite happy either way, but a growing number of people do recognise photography as an Art form. And collect it. "There are three fundamental components of what we call art. First, is the artist; second, is the medium; and third is the artwork. All three, clearly are interrelated." Tad Beckman Defining photographic art It is true many people do regard photography as merely a reproductive medium, and the photographer as simply the technician. And if this were just about your holiday snaps then it would be a valid point. So let's start with my definition of photographic art. I say my definition because there is no stock answer it means different things to different people. For me it's about creating a beautiful image that is an interpretation of the scene that I saw in my mind captured on film, rather than just a recording of what is already there. It's about the photographer being the choreographer of the various components; the composition is critical, as is the lighting, weather conditions and the colours at play. It's not just about pressing the shutter release, although timing is everything. Patience comes into play too, as you wait for all the components to be perfect all at the same time. Some things you can control, but the weather well that constantly throws out surprises that can add that hint of drama to a picture or send you home disappointed. It's these uncertainties that add the challenge, and this results in creativity as you respond to the situation. Other photographers will have their own criteria, but we all are producing very personal pieces of work that we feel passionate about and that are a representation of our interpretation of the world. A photograph - more than just a sheet of paper with an image on it? Oh yes! Typically a photographer will capture an image that pleases their eye. They will create something that is close to their heart, and therefore give a little of themselves in the image. Effectively they are allowing you to see how they perceive the world to be, one moment at a time. Add into the fact that many photographers print their own work (once they have an order!), and sign it then you could say you are buying a piece of history - or designer art! In other words you are not buying a mass produced print, and naturally the price reflects this. You are buying into the reputation of that photographer and you will expect to pay more. When someone is starting out and building reputation then you are investing in the potential of that person. You won't pay as much, but you'll be backing your own instinct and demonstrating your belief in that person's talent. Contemporary photography is affordable art. Subject matter - does it matter? Personally I don't believe it does, and I mean this in the sense that people will be drawn to your work because they have seen something of yours and liked your style, and typically that means they like your choice of subject matter too. My preference is for landscapes and increasingly flowers, whilst other photographers prefer sport, people or a more abstract approach to name but a few. I think the key to preserving artistic integrity is to shoot for your own personal satisfaction, although naturally as your reputation builds you will develop an understanding of what collectors want, but for me I always have to love the image myself to want to share it with the world. Anything less and it stays in the drawer! I still experiment, and search for new subject matter, but my photographic style is what it is. It just keeps evolving. A new language Understanding the language of the image is something quite individual to the viewer, it does not explain itself in the same way to each person. It is subjective. And although some may view photography as easy, believing that there own point and shoot cameras can produce similar results to a master photographer are confusing the issue. After all most of us have made paintings at some time in our lives, and may still own paint brushes, but wouldn't necessarily look at a painting by a master and not consider it to be art would we? It is the heart and hand of the author behind the brush, camera or pen that executes the creative vision not the tools used. About the author: Sue Kennedy, LRPS & LBIPP Sue Kennedy is an UK based photographer specialising in outdoor photography and works on commission for companies & individuals as well as shooting for picture libraries. To purchase from Sue's current print and card selection visit her Website http://www.blueeyesphoto.com Copyright � 2004 Sue Kennedy Blue Eyes Photography Ltd
MORE RESOURCES: Opinion | We Should Have Seen What Sally Mann Saw 40 Years Ago The New York Times Yorgos Lanthimos Flexes New Creative Muscle With Debut Photography Exhibition in Los Angeles Hollywood Reporter An AP photographer captures a masked protester undeterred by a deluge of pepper spray The Associated Press Just as photography did not kill painting, Ghiblification is unlikely to kill art The Indian Express In pictures: Sony World Photography Awards 2025 South China Morning Post Is Low-Res Photography the New Analog? The Phoblographer Area photographer focuses on landscapes, wildlife Lewistown Sentinel University of Saint Joseph Art Museum : A House Divided : Photography and the Civil War The Eye of Photography Opening Reception with Artists: Dallas Camera Club 90th Anniversary Photography Exhibition The Dallas Morning News PHOTOGRAPHY ZINES AND BOOKS NO: 71 Japan Camera Hunter Anniston Public Library Hosts Smartphone Photography Workshop Calhoun County Journal When Your Fuji Warranty Fails: The Best Photography Insurance The Phoblographer Master Manual Mode in One Day Fstoppers PICTURE THIS: Getty Images becomes official photography partner of MLS frontrowsoccer.com Visual Communication student lands paid photography internship with the Boston Red Sox Ohio University A new home for photography in Vienna British Journal of Photography See the Spectacular Winners of Smithsonian Magazine’s 22nd Annual Photography Contest Smithsonian Magazine Invisible light – a presentation on infrared photography Delta Optimist Herb Greene, 82, Dies; His Photographs Captured the San Francisco Sound The New York Times I took 2,000 photos with the new Sigma BF, and it made me fall in love with photography again Tom's Guide Pick Your Own Flowers & Photography June 28-Frost Virginia Tech Collegiate Times After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989-2024; Peter Mitchell: Nothing Lasts Forever – review The Guardian PHOTOS: The past week in photography, stories in the Bow Valley Rocky Mountain Outlook - Bow Valley News Literary LEO 2025: Color Photography Winners Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO Weekly) Photography Book Explores the Creatives of the High Desert Palm Springs Life How the ’70s radicalised the landscape of photography Huck Magazine In the Age of AI, Photography Is Now Untethered Vanity Fair Molino Library Hosting Photography Meetup Group Monday Afternoon NorthEscambia.com See 15 Captivating Images From the British Wildlife Photography Awards, From a Majestic Shark to Hungry Pigeons Smithsonian Magazine Framing the Artist: Photography, Music, and the Power of Being Seen I CARE IF YOU LISTEN Is Computational Photography the Future? Fstoppers I think photography books can help improve your photography – here's why! Digital Camera World Feral Pigeons and a Feisty Fox Take Top Honors in the 2025 British Wildlife Photography Awards Colossal 10 jobs in photography that AI is coming for – and the 10 that are safest Digital Camera World 11 brilliant images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards Popular Science I’ve been using the new Canon V1 compact camera and it’s not just for video Amateur Photographer Golf Highland launches amateur photography competition Golf Business News Yorgos Lanthimos Unveils His First Photography Exhibition, Broadening His Artistic Scope GreekCityTimes.com Carolina's Matthew Troyer channels his veteran experience into photography | UNC-Chapel Hill UNC Chapell Hill Starting photography changes your POV The Baylor Lariat Nona Faustine unpacks the dark and hidden history of America British Journal of Photography Dallas Camera Club 90th Anniversary Photography Exhibition The Dallas Morning News An Illuminating Interview with Photographer Reuben Wu on His New Landscape Series 'Thin Places' Fstoppers Capturing beauty, one picture at a time: Anacortes photographer wins international award goskagit.com 17 delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards outtakes Popular Science The Week In Photos - March 28, 2025 CapeNews.net |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Sepia Toned Prints from Your Colour or Black and White Photos - 5 Minute Digital Fix Quite often I will have clients bring in old photographs of their "elder" relatives that were taken before colour photography was around.This generally means that the photos in question are either black and white or, in many cases, the photos have been tinted, usually a muddy brown colour better known as Sepia. Photography: The Basics Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and first became known back in 1839 by Sir John Herschel. For many years prior to this, people had discovered ways of causing certain chemicals to change color when exposed to light but they did not discover ways of getting the images to remain permanent until later on. Birthday Party Photo Tips - How to Make Yours Truly Stand Out How many of the birthday party pictures you've seen are kept just because they are of someone's birthday, not because it is inherently a terrific photograph?When was the last time you heard anyone exclaim: "THIS IS REALLY A GREAT BIRTHDAY PHOTO?" Can you say? NEVER?And yet, birthday parties are happening ALL THE TIME. You would think that "practice makes perfect," wouldn't you; but in this case. Digital Camera Bags - Purchasing and Using Some compact cameras are small enough to fit in your handbag or pocket, but I still recommend purchasing a camera case. It will save your camera from unnecessary wear and tear. Buying Your Child A Digital Camera - What You Need To Know Purchasing any gift item for your child is a mind-numbing task. You can never be sure whether they will like what you buy for them or not. Digital Film Processing is Really the Only Option for Truly Quality Prints Digital photography has taken off like wildfire these days, primarily due to its ease and quality in its digital film processing. With a good digital camera, it's as though you're using the very best Kodak film for every single one of your digital photos. Digital Camera Metering Looking at the most intricate details of the digital camera as a technologically advanced device a lot of functions come into play. Such s a point is that of the digital camera metering. Photography 101 Part 2 Basic CompositionNow that you are beginning to understand how your camera works you can begin to understand basic composition. I know that many people that I've talked to think that photography is just pointing your camera and taking a photo but it's more than that. The Paradigm: Going Digital As you might imagine the paradigm shift from traditional film-based photography to digital is rapidly creating new opportunities to learn and grow. The photography industry is moving at an incessant pace, and digital cameras sales have surpassed their film-based cousin at an alarming rate each year. The Beginner Buyers Guide To Digital Cameras, Or The Ins And Outs Of Megapixels The most important part of buying a digital camera is making sure that the one you select meets all of your needs.Digital Camera 101Better digital cameras uses a chip called a "Charged Coupled Device" (CCD) instead of film. Four Unique Ways for the Pet Portrait Artist to Stand Out The warm feelings are flowing all around when the pet lover sees her commissioned portrait of her beloved dog or cat for the first time. Would you like the love to last even longer and reward you above the standard commission fee? If so, consider these ideas:When contracting with the pet lover for the commission, offer extras for a set additional fee. Making Money With Digital Photography And Live Events A few years ago I became interested in digital photography, mainly for web publishing and personal reasons. You know, how nice is it now to NOT have to deal with film, scanning pictures, and the costs of developing all of those "not great" photos that you didn't know were so bad until you paid to have them developed!So, at the time I got my first digital camera a friend of mine was playing in a rock band, and needed pictures for their web pages and promotional printings and ads. History of the Camera Early cameras of the 16th and 17th century were able to project images onto paper or glass but the study of capturing, processing and printing the images took many more years. Up until the 17th century, scientists believed that light was composed basically of the 'white' that is perceived by the human eye. Candid Photography Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than technique. Your subject's focus is not on the camera, but on their current task. Make More of Your Photos We all want to make the most of our wedding photos and a new service from totalPIX makes it very easy with their beautifully bound photobooks.Like all the best ideas, the idea of a photobook is very simple. Get The Most Out of Your Digital Camera Today! Point and click. The new life of digital cameras gives us all the opportunity to capture images as we go. How to Buy a Digital Camera Are you buying your first digital camera? Well, you must be confused by the bewildering range of models out there. How do you know which model will suit your needs? To make things worse, digital cameras do not come cheap. Pinhole Photography: Right Back to Basics Why Pinhole Photography?It's fun. It's creative. 10 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Photographs from Infringement While it would be nice to live in a house where you don't have to lock the door, it's not practical these days. Likewise, here are 10 things you can do to help safeguard your images from being stolen. Selecting Good Stock Photography in the Age of Digital The business of stock photography has drastically changed over the last few years. Ten years ago, selecting photographs for your brochure or newsletter meant spending hours pouring over stock photography catalogs and ordering photo research to find the exact image. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 KeralaClick.com |