The debate on whether photography is an expressive art form ignites passionate discussions among photographers and art enthusiasts. This subject is particularly pertinent, as it delves into the essence of their craft: is photography about capturing moments as they are, or is it about creating something entirely new?
Coming to you from Carey West, this insightful video argues that certain types of photography, particularly landscapes, street, and wildlife, are less about creation and more about capturing what already exists. It challenges the conventional notion of photography as a purely creative pursuit. Instead, it positions photography as an art of observation and capturing moments. West highlights a key aspect of photography – its reliance on external elements. Unlike music or painting, where artists often start from scratch, photographers work with elements that already exist in the world. This external focus means that photographers must be adept at recognizing and capturing moments, rather than creating them from their imagination — at least in certain genres.
Another significant point raised in the video is the role of luck and spontaneity in photography. Unlike music or other art forms where the creation process is more controlled and prolonged, photography often relies on fleeting moments. This aspect makes photography unique, as it requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to capture the essence of a moment quickly and effectively. This reactive nature of photography is what sets it apart from other art forms, where the artist has more control over the creative process.
West offers an intriguing perspective on photography, challenging photographers to rethink their approach to their craft. He emphasizes the importance of being present, observant, and quick to react, rather than solely focusing on the creative aspect. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
I wish the author would have delved more into the history of photography so he could have avoided some traps beforehand. Too often, these types of thoughts are driven by the author's gut feeling rather than the events.
As the saying goes: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Photography, like music, doesn't necessarily need the creator to have direct contact with the medium. A few examples: Depero, Duchamp, Magritte, Claude Cahun, Bruce Nauman, Urs Lüthi, etc.
If we look at the history of Art, we then realize that photography doesn't need to be compared or related to other artistic disciplines. There are similarities, of course, but in the end, Photography is a discipline of its own — and less relatable to painting than people commonly think.
Lastly, even though I find the distinction between making a photograph or taking a photograph redundant, if I had to pick one term I would say that generally speaking, one makes a photograph. We capture what's already out there, yes, but we decide the moment and the framing.
Happy New Year to you Mr. Cook. Thank you for sharing your views and opinion on photography as an art form.It made me think long and hard about why I have such a passion for photography. I believe capturing images through photography is a way of preserving a piece or period of time. I believe the history of photography actually comes from Europe. It is my sincerest wish that you will share your thoughts on of digital computerized photography. I grew up with film photography. My first camera was a Kodak Brownie Fiesta camera.I still have a film camera now. Best wishes to you.
This like the ramaling of the 50's and 60's wine bars where someone on a stool in front of everyone talks of air or something and all fall a sleep, been there and walk away not even worth a frame of film!
Photography is not so much art, some may see something and put some cash or something on an image, but second in time captured and printed or just in digital space on something.
Time move forward with no reverse but for the image saved in a box.
My story of photography is this:
I was a military brat with 40 moves and 30 schools under my feet by 18, with no friends to write to from all the places like forever.The problem is can one remember all the places in order, my wife can she has what is called photographic memory or Eidetic memory could of should of worked for the CIA.
As a young kid found a box of photos in my Grandmothers attic most all with no names or what and where something is or was.
Then I join the Navy and while on a cruise the first port a soon to retire long bearded 1st class who worked in my shop had me assigned to his shore patrol team. We got the gut in Naples where he showed everything to the bars where all let their money go down the drain, then the cat houses again money down the drain, again the castle where some dressed differently!!!
Next day a MWR trip to Rome for $20 meals and all, but the first class had a camera and was clicking away only rarely but showed how the eye frames and sees what others never see, very important!! next day was stand by duty and half day and we went to the NATO camera store where a camera and three lenses were less than half a paycheck, I still have all and more. The camera a cheater it had a light meter with a needle another for aperture you just put each over one another. That cruise I came home with 12 paychecks a 7 month one, two checks for camera, film, and MWR tours.
Photography is the capture of moments in the time machine that never stops the moments we never remember of it is cloudy and not clear. For those who never did film you kept a log book of places and times and info of every capture of camera settings, I did this for 24 years with a library of log books and every image info. Ever above the arctic circle during the arora with military aircraft flying in it and landing/ taking off and capturing in color or my first collision at sea and fireworks afterwards of the other ship with 1K sailors on board not knowing what will happen with each of us. I was an AT2 working the flight deck and hanger 12 hour shifts.
Photography is memories for me and history for others but that is what Photography is history like paintings before photos. Seconds in time never to happen again. But to make things interesting those with the eye that sees what others do not makes for the story of time and space.
Lastly someone will somehow make the story embed in the photo like the writing on the back of a print in the past, that is what's missing in all photos/images no one is saying something about it.
Also for me I am like separated form all things when I walk somewhere away with camera in hand, it is like a new moon on a beach taking a shot of the Milky Way, the slap of waves, the birds in the swamp, yes dark as pitch but the camera gives colors unseen by human eyes a bright as day image with stars and behold a loggerhead sea turtle unseen even by me.
Like going into a both and pulling the curtain when taking and when processing an image on a hard drive. That is all just a spec of time visible to be seen and believed it happened.
#2 Milky Way above Jax pier lit by boardwalk, never be afraid of light and go westward there are snakes!
# for real a lit parking lot next to a beach and dark sky above
#4 really happened a lunar eclipse on a cold and windy night, wind out of the NE with one person with a dog an the next picnic table blocking some wind, Not Cloned but real, no one believes, this looking westward.
Just have fun and see what is around and stop to capture that one second!