There are often conversations with photographers of whether they are creating art or fine art with their imaging. Some are – some aren’t – but who are we to judge? The point is once we get over whether we are artists or not we need to work, not just dream, to make our dreams happen. Today’s Photo/Art quote from Constantin puts it very succinctly. (especially the second sentence!)
Inspired!
Just finished up two days of teaching the Photo-Synthesis program in Chattanooga, Tennessee (that city name sure has a lot of letters!) and I am inspired by how excited the students were. Today’s class was a hands-on follow up to yesterday’s program.
We went out early in the morning and did a little photo safari around the waterfront. I shared my thinking on photographing and gathering textures for use in working with the Photo-Synthesis process of blending multiple images together. We shot for about an hour gathering source materials to work with on our individual computers.
Which brings me, in a roundabout way, to the quote from Margaret. After we spent an hour talking, shooting thinking and capturing textures everyone in the group was tuned into it. As we drove to the meeting room students were looking out the window saying, ‘Wow there’s a cool door! Wouldn’t that make a great texture for the background of an image?” As we took a break for lunch the restaurant we went to had lots of character and everyone was lamenting we had left our cameras back in the classroom.
The point is after just spending the morning absorbed in and thinking about textures and their use we were seeing things that would have normally been passed unnoticed.
Think about it. Just that morning working toward new knowledge and all eyes were now primed to see and capture new things.
“Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all but take you by the hand.” Margaret Bourke-White
Sooooo….
Let me ask you an important question.
What are you saturating your brain with?
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
A conversation that often appears in forums or where artists or photographers gather is one of is photography art?
From Wikipedia – Fine art photography is photography created in accordance with the vision of the artist as photographer.
I absolutely believe it to be true. Look at different photographers through the generations and you’ll find there are several that stand out in different aspects of photography head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
Why? For some it is the pioneering of new techniques. For others it is the subject matter chosen. For still others it is an ability to see light where others find it not. I know early in my career I was hanging out with another photographer and watched him take a photo. I was not sure what he was seeing. Turns out it was a picture of the ground and some shadows created from multi-colored lights. It was captivating! And I never saw it…
Vision. Technique. Tools. All of these things make it possible to create something. Some can push the limits and make the ordinary extraordinary. That my friends is the art of photography. If you give the same camera, lens and subject to 10 different photographers you will receive 10 different photographs. Will all of them be art? No. Will any of them? Possibly. It depends on the skills of the maker with that particular subject, lighting skills.
“…it does seem to me that Capa has proved beyond all doubt that the camera need not be a cold mechanical device. Like the pen, it is as good as the man who uses it. It can be the extension of mind and heart…” – John Steinbeck.
Is my photography art? Some is… but not all.
That’s why I continue to pursue education, to attend classes and conventions, study images, study the classic painters, photographers and cinematographers, read books and magazines on photography, painting and color, experiment, practice and teach. (cause I learn a ton when I teach – I also love to see the lights go on in someone’s eyes as they begin to understand new concepts)
Let’s check in with other art genres and see what they have to say…
I have discovered photography. Now I can kill myself. I have nothing else to learn. – Pablo Picasso
I have always been very interested in photography. I have looked at far more photographs than I have paintings. Because their reality is stronger than reality itself. – Francis Bacon
What are your thoughts on photography as Fine Art?
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
At the convention here in Nashville Tennessee with Professional Photographers Association at Imaging USA.
WOW!
Way over 10,000 photographers here to network, learn about photography, learn about new products and become inspired bout this wonderful business we have chosen in which to make our living.
That brings me to why my Sunday Photo/Art quote is running a day late (it’s been a really busy time!) And to not delay the quote any longer…
“It’s all about the process!” Thom Rouse
Thom presented a program called “The Case for Fine Art” and suggests if we choose or as we try to move our photography in an artistic direction that it starts with OUR process – whatever that may be.
What is creativity? Thom suggests that Creativity is the process of the prepared mind. It’s anything you do in your creative life to make your imagery. What kind of lens do you put on your camera? What format? What subjects do you shoot? What settings do you use? How do you expose yourself to new imagery to draw inspiration from? Art in museums museums, web sites, books, other photographers images?
Thom Rouse fine art image © Thom Rouse All Rights Reserved
Once you have the tools of the process down you go through a number of steps as you create your images. You need a prepared mind as noted above looking at art and life for inspiration. You can get stuck or as he calls this moment, ‘incubation’. Then possibly a reversal of thinking. Making mistakes including ‘AHA!’ moments and ‘Happy Accidents’. Having Passion and perseverance and knowing that failure defines success.
Thom Rouse fine art image © Thom Rouse All Rights Reserved
Failure defines success. We’ve been talking about that here on Successful-Photographer a lot in this Sunday morning corner and I submit once again if you are not making mistakes not constantly trying to learn you probably won’t be doing anything really creative.
What mistakes are you going to make this week, this month, this year? Go for it!
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – This is only one of over 90 programs available to choose from this year. If you aren’t getting out to conventions and educational programs you are going tot be growing your art and your business
Be like the Energizer Bunny Rabbit ‘Eveready’!
Sometimes creating the great image is being aware enough and having good habits to not miss an opportunity. Today’s Photo/Art Quote comes from one of the top photographers in the field today. Listen and remember.
“Don’t pack up the camera until you’ve left the location.” Joe McNally
The idea is to stay aware of possibilities, and be ready for serendipity to strike at any moment. Simple thought. Great habit.
Want to learn more from a master? Check out Joe’s books…
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS Here’s the Meet Joe text from his blog.
“The thoughts, notions, and ideas here come from thirty years in the field as a shooter. Twenty plus on the road for National Geographic. LIFE staffer. Sports Illustrated contractor. 54 countries. 50 states. Read on, and welcome to my blog.” Check it out.
A recurring thought and one I fight on a regular basis is fear.
Fear of failure.
Fear of not doing something right.
Fear of making a mistake.
And strangely enough fear of success can come into play.
I’m guessing that fear plays into a lot of artists’ lives as this theme keeps appearing in many quotes from writers, painters, sculptors, musicians and of course photographers.
“Do not fear mistakes – there are none.” Miles Davis
Mistakes are magnificent opportunities to learn new lessons. If you are not making mistakes you are not stretching and giving yourself the chance to become the best you can be.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
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