Photography as an art form

Photography as an art formBy Joanne Billones

*art is a subjectively biased interpretation of the artists subject*Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

unlike any other visual image, a photograph is not a rendering, an imitation or an interpretation of its subject, but actually a trace of it. No painting or drawing, however naturalist, belongs to its subject in the way that a photograph does.-John Berger, Ways of Seeing

Art photography"Photography that is done as a fine art -- that is, done to express the artist's perceptions and emotions and to share them with others"The production of images to fulfil the creative vision of a photographer."A frequently used but somewhat vague term. The idea underlying it is that the producer of a given picture has aimed at something more than a merely realistic rendering of the subject, and has attempted to convey a personal impression"In 1961, Dr S.D. Jouhar founded the Photographic Fine Art Association, and he was its Chairman. Their definition of Fine Art was Creating images that evoke emotion by a photographic process in which one's mind and imagination are freely but competently exercised.Two studies by Christopherson in 1974 defined "fine art photographers" as "those persons who create and distribute photographs specifically as 'art.A 1986 ethnographic and historical study by Schwartz did not directly define "fine art photography" but did compare it with "camera club photography". It found that fine art photography "is tied to other media" such as painting; "responds to its own history and traditions" (as opposed to "aspir[ing] to the same achievements made by their predecessors"); "has its own vocabulary"; "conveys ideas" (e.g., "concern with form supersedes concern with subject matter"); "is innovative"; "is personal"; "is a lifestyle"; and "participates in the world of commerce."fine art photography vs. Documentary Art Photography Fine art photography is a visual account created in accordance with the vision of the artist as photographerDocumentary photography is used in specific subjects and events, literally representing objective reality rather than the subjective intent of the photographer In commercial photography, the primary focus is to advertise products or servicesDuring the 20th century, both and documentary art photography became accepted by the English-speaking art world and the gallery system.Photography As a fine art advocatesAlfred StieglitzEdward SteichenJohn SzarkowskiF. Holland DayEdward WestonPictorialism vs. Straight PhotographyPICTORIALISMInitial movement in photography wherein photographers try to imitate painting styles.Often uses soft focus for a dreamy romantic look.STRAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHYAdvocated by f/64 group (Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, etc.)The photograph is a sharply focused thing in itself and not an imitation of something elseART by Clive BellThere must be some one quality without which a work of art cannot exist; possessing which, in the least degree, no work is altogether worthless. What is this quality? What quality is shared by all objects that provoke our aesthetic emotions? What quality is common to sta. Sophia and the windows at Chartres, Mexican sculpture, a Persian bowl, Chinese carpets, Giotto's frescoes at Padua, and the masterpieces of Poussin, Piero della Francesca, and Cezanne? Only one answer seems possible SIGNIFICANT FORM. In each, lines and colors combined in a particular way, certain forms and relations of forms, stir our aesthetic emotions.99 Cent II Diptychon by Andreas GurskyThe work depicts an interior of a supermarket with numerous aisles depicting goods resulting in a colorful work. The work is digitally altered to reduce perspective.