insights into photography
Photo.net member, Pete Myers, is a fine art photographer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is the first of four installments called State of the ART. You can visit this artist and explore his captivating portfolios here.
The debate or beliefs about what makes art can be absorbing and/or tedious depending on the person holding forth. I have had many conversations in class and with other photographers about fine art photography and the changes that came about due to digital photography. Some hold that fine art photography is a product of film and darkrooms, where the more organic approach to print making is apparent, others claim this is just evidence of an interest in the craft based aspects of an earlier photography model and is not relevant to a discussion about whether an image is fine art or not.
This article by Pete Myers on Photo.net address this question, we accept that any view on this is personal and therefore open to challenge, Pete makes many extremely valid points and this article is worth reading and thinking about
Image caption: American Grasslands Homestead—Image 4 © 2013, Peter H. Myers
For me, the purpose of fine art photography is to ennoble the beauty of what is in front of the lens. It is the photographer’s job to fortify the photograph with a clarity of view unique to his or her passion for the subject. But the image is not about the photographer; it is not about the photographer’s camera system; it is not about the photographer’s technique. The photographer is the conduit for the formation of the image, and what tools and techniques are used should invisibly support the beauty within the photograph in celebrating what is before the lens………
That full-stride moment comes when the fine art photographer simply FEELS. The rest is irrelevant. And it comes at a personal cost of gaining maturity of self that is beyond ordinary “things.” It is beyond the point of worrying about what the photographer is getting out of the process in art or reward. It is beyond the point in what others might think of the work. The photographic tool simply has become the means for the photographer to connect with the meaning of lifeâs truth, through beauty. What is seen through the lens is a metaphor for truth as shown through beauty. And to get there, the artist must give up all the rest. The perfect light is that which is imperfect.
So how does this all have relevance to your own personal work? For most, photography is an advanced hobby or part-time vocation as part of a very hectic life. Driving one’s passion to the limit might not be fully achievable with the time available. But nevertheless, there is a lot that can be ventured that will have immediate benefit upon the direction of your own work……….
By alainbriot on Lightstalking
What are the most important aspects of composing a Fine Art Photograph? The answer to this question certainly varies from photographer to photographer because each of us places more importance on some aspects than on others. What follows is what I personally consider to be the most important aspects of Composition….
Much of what Alan says I think is fundamentally true and good starting points to think about photography as a medium for art. I do think that art is a much wider subject than can be addressed by consideration of composition, the definition between fine art and photography as a medium for art is a strongly debated. Just search ‘define fine art photography’ to see how difficult it is to nail a definition. Wiki says
Fine art photography is photography created in accordance with the vision of the artist as photographer. Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism, which provides a visual account for news events, and commercial photography, the primary focus of which is to advertise products or services.
We don’t have to believe or agree with everything in the Wiki world though.
So basically is anything that is not photographed for the purposes of making money art? But that can’t be correct, just look at a site like Flickr to recognise that most people using cameras are not artists they are at best recordists.
These are questions we pose of our students in our Intermediate Photography course, our aim is to stretch their understanding of photography and to encourage them to incorporate these ideas within their own work. To help them to stop just recording what is front of them and to start using their cameras as a means of expressing their ideas.
Here are of Alan’s suggestions about making images with the intention of creating fine art. As I say I don’t disagree with any of these but I don’t think adhering to a set of rules can create art, fine or otherwise. I think that art is in the intention of the creator, therefore if you intend to make an image that is more than mere representation then you are attempting to create something with art at it’s foundation. Using Alan’s suggestions may certainly help.
Rhine 2 by Andreas Gursky; this is the most expensive photograph ever sold and is considered by some criteria as a pinnacle of photographic art. What do you think?
Click Here: 15 Thoughts on Fine Art Photography Composition by Alain Briot (With Photos)
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Albert Einstein
Introduction
What are the most important aspects of composing a Fine Art Photograph? The answer to this question certainly varies from photographer to photographer because each of us places more importance on some aspects than on others. What follows is what I personally consider to be the most important aspects of Composition. Writes alainbriot on Lightstalking
This list is excerpted from a longer list that I use for teaching during my workshops and seminars. The decision to create a shorter list, with only 15 items instead of 37, stemmed from the desire to focus on the essential aspects of composing a fine art photograph regardless of the subject we are studying or the specific project we are working on. The resulting list is free from a particular teaching emphasis and represents what I look for in a Fine Art Photograph.
1 – Composition is the strongest way of seeing
This is Edward Weston’s definition of composition. It is still my favorite definition of composition
Don’t assume that only professional photographers stand a chance of getting published in magazines. Editors are constantly looking for new, inventive and fresh photography, and it may just be that your particular vision coincides perfectly with theirs.
However, don’t go to the other extreme and assume that as soon as they see your work editors will be fighting to get to you first. There are any number of great photographers out there and you’re just one of them – no matter what you might think about the quality of your images (for more tips like these, check out our 50 photography tips from jobbing pros to famous photographers).
Brilliance and style are important, but patience, persistence and willingness to study the needs of the magazines you’re approaching are what really count. Don’t send editors a huge collection of images in the hope that there might be one or two that strike a chord……………
In the following pages we’ll take you through the best way to get your photos published in magazines. We’ll tell you how to make the right approach, offer tips to improve your chances, identify some common mistakes and, finally, answer the all-important question of ‘what will I be paid’?
PAGE 1: Practice Patience
PAGE 2: Making the right approach to editors
PAGE 3: Improve your chances of getting photos published
PAGE 4: Common mistakes when trying to get photos published
PAGE 5: What will you be paid?
©Keith Barnes
From Toad via Lightstalking this weeks selection of the best. “This week has been full of great tutorials, photography and truly interesting blogs to enjoy and Toad Hollow Photography has been busy collecting links to share with everyone. The end result is this comprehensive page of great resources to visit showcasing incredible talents and posts in the exciting field of photography. We sincerely hope you enjoy the sites in this list as much as the Toad did in bringing them to you.”
Check out the Toad’s photoblog featuring Canadian landscapes and historical artifacts, and his Fine Art Photography website.
Here is a taste of some on offer
TUTORIALS
How to Shoot Silhouette Photography – this is a thought-provoking and very clear tutorial on how best to achieve silhouette based photography. These great tips and tricks will help everyone to achieve the exact results they are going for in this genre, and it’s an article that is truly worth the time to read.
Back To Arizona – this is a truly great post by Blake Rudis that belongs in both the Tutorials section as well as the Great Photography section in this weeks list. Blake captures and shares a few truly epic shots in this post, but he also shares some great tips and tricks for low light photography that is guaranteed to deliver some great information for how to go about performing this genre of image production.
Creating An Abstract Landscape Image – a highly detailed post takes the reader step-by-step through the process that Curt Fleenor utilized to create a really wonderful abstract piece. Each step is carefully documented with great visuals and screen captures, producing a well-rounded article that is sure to teach everyone a little about this style of imagery.
The Ultimate Do-it-yourself Small Flash Modifier – a truly top drawer tutorial piece by Doug Pruden details how to go about creating an inexpensive flash modifier to reduce the harsh effects of on-camera flash systems. The technique that Doug discusses is so simple, yet does result in some pretty dramatic changes to the images captured. This is a well-written and detailed piece, well worth the time to read.
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Luna…Who? – this wonderful Saw-Whet Owl is a native to Canada and is also one of the tiniest owl species to be found. Edith Levy captures and shares a series of photos of this just gorgeous little bird, really bringing to life all her character and spirit. No matter what style of photography you prefer to view, these shots are absolutely guaranteed to bring a huge smile to your face and there is no way we can express strongly enough how wonderful they really are.
Life Cycle – prepare to be absolutely blown away by this epic photograph from the studio of Barbara Youngleson. Using a completely unique composition and then post-processing the shot in black-and-white, Barbara delivers a strong and dramatic picture that is guaranteed to take your breath away and leave you wanting more. Definitely one of the highlights in this weeks’ list, this is truly a must-see shot.
Photo captured by alihankamis (click image to see more from alihankamis)
How do you proceed to grow and develop as a fine art photographer? Basically, regular use of your camera with deliberate intent, while paying attention to the following, is what brings it about.
To make images that stir the viewer’s thinking and emotions.
Its the first and most important skill that you need to learn.
‘Seeing’ exercises: Set aside 45 minutes from time to time around your home, with your camera and a subject that has your sustained interest. Relax for a few minutes then start taking pictures. Study part of your subject for a moment or two, then re-focus on another part of your subject and study it for a while. Become aware of colors and shapes. See how many details you can find. Then note the following:
The About Photography site by Ed Verosky is always interesting and this podcast promises to be great if art photography is your thing
“Elinor Carucci is a fine art and editorial photographer based in New York City. Her work is included in collections at the Museum of Modern Art New York, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Houston Museum of Fine Art, among others. She’s a recipient of the ICP Infinity Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. She’s published two monographs to date, including Closer (Chronicle Books) and Diary of a Dancer (SteidlMACK).” here is a link to the podcast
Cat Power, Paper Magazine
Oxford School of Photography 