Fine Art Photography

[Greg_Nuspel]

Don't get me wrong, I know the only way I'll ever get better is by studying the great photographers even some of those none artists that turn out the creative commercial photos. It's funny in photography I usually agree with what people consider fine art, but when it comes to other art forms I guess I just don't understand some of it.

[mindforge]

diggin this thread.

play - What if Ansel Adams was commissioned to create an advertising campaign for Yosemite? Wouldn't his commercial prints still be fine art?

It could still be fine art. The Mona Lisa was a commission, so was Michelangelo's Creation of Adam in the Sistene Chapel.

[Marko]

I thought you'd agree.
I hope you don't mind I've added this phrase to my sig.
"... fine art is based and forged from study and discipline in a form of art. The capability to produce fine art does not sit in the hands of the unpracticed.." - mindforge

[casil403]

I think the term Fine Art is just another label that people add to attempt to distinguish one thing from another. I think photography is still a relatively new art form compared to say painters and sculpturists so I have a bit of trouble comparing fine art photography with fine art in other older mediums.

I guess I might consider folks like Ansel Adams and Yousuf Karsh in the realm of fine art photographers.

IMO it is very subjective term....eg...some people consider the 1.8 million dollar painting in the Art Gallery of Canada called "Voice of Fire" to be fine art...I consider it to be 3 stripes of paint.
Oddly enough, I saw a documentary on the artist this past weekend.

Gosh..I think I'm rambling here and not making much sense..I'm just trying to interpret what I think about the term as I type...not sure if it's working.

[Matthew]

I have no idea!

How about and in no particular order:

A print not a file on a computer.
Printed on/with the best materials and using the best techniques possible.
An image that transcends the medium & communicates to the viewer.
An image that makes you see something new each time you look at it.
The intangible - emotional response.


However any photographer interested in learning more should look at www.lenswork.com

Brooks Jensen has a really great podcast as well as the one here from Marko. It is geared toward B&W but it is invaluable information for any photographer wishing to expand on their understanding of the photographic process and mindset.