Photography as Art? Part 1
Added 2021-11-30 14:36:40 +0000 UTCCompare the photos below...
It's something no photographer who has devoted time and money to his or her craft wants to question... is photography art?
My dad and grandad were both great hobby photogs (back in the day when much more patience was required). My grandad built his own pro level dark room to develop all the photos from his travels working in sales for his business. My grandfather never considered his photography art. I grew up mainly with my grandad, who, instead of photos had paintings hanging on the walls around the house he built. Paintings of 19th century building, flowers and other still life art, and one painting of a nude woman lying gracefully, yet enticingly on a sheet or blanket of some sort. When I was younger that painting always made me feel embarrassed. One time, I had friends come over and I made an effort to hide the painting from view. Now, that painting is something I would appreciate much more, but had it been a photograph would it be considered art or porn? The painting was detailed,(everything in view) but abstract enough to keep too many details from eye. However, the women was painted in such an angle and pose I, even now, would find to be uncomfortable... more sexually inspired rather than artistically inspired. If I went to replicate that painting photograph would it be as graceful? That question plagued me as I journeyed into photographing people. I never set out to be a full time photographer... and I definitely did not think I would be in a position to replicate a nude painting as a photograph but I would later get my chance.
While not the exact painting my grandad had, it was very similar to this:
Source: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/suzanne-valadon-nudes-art-history/index.html
Later I would attempt to recreate the painting but with a photograph:
©J.Alexander
I would love your thoughts... can photography compare to classic art work? Does nudity in photography automatically get associated with porn?
To me this photo is years in the making that I was lucky (blessed) enough to recreate with my wife. but to someone else it could just be another nude photo?
Your feedback on this platform does help inspire my thought and regular posting.
Comments
I agree, its all in the intent of both sides. And yes, art should stimulate the senses
Memoirs of Steph
2021-11-30 18:36:22 +0000 UTCIt seems to me that the closest thing to a determining factor is intention, on the part of both the consumer and the creator. Pornography exists to stimulate the sexual imagination and to make a buck. Art CAN do those things, but the intention behind the art might be very different. The lucky thing is, the artist isn't really responsible for any of these determinations. They exist downstream of the creative act.
bo
2021-11-30 17:57:43 +0000 UTCExcellent insight! Thanks for the feedback
Memoirs of Steph
2021-11-30 16:34:02 +0000 UTCContext and presentation are certainly important. Anatomy is a part of sexuality, but not inherently sexual. If that were the case, fitness magazines wouldn't be sold on newsstands and the Sistine Chapel ceiling and statue of David would've gotten Michelangelo burned at the stake. The human body is a work of art in itself, and displaying it in its natural state and presenting it as such is art, whether the medium is marble, clay, oil paints, charcoal, pen & ink, or photography. I would even take a step further to say that photography is not only an art form, but a collaboration between the photographer and all the elements that went into shaping the subject. Just my opinion.
Gerald Peck
2021-11-30 15:08:47 +0000 UTCDefinitely Well said. I agree.
Memoirs of Steph
2021-11-30 14:46:36 +0000 UTCI think the issue that comes with this is more a stigma as a society rather than intent by an artist. I personally am off the opinion that any artist can call anything art. Art is an opinion and it is left up to each person who views a piece to formulate their own. So I guess deciding what is or isn't art is really left up to each individual and at a base level can't be argued one way or another.
Adam Stewart
2021-11-30 14:45:41 +0000 UTC
