The Essence of Fine Art Photography

Learning What It Takes to Become a Photographer and Artist

What is it? Fine art photography is the taking of photographs by an artist to fulfill his creative vision. This form of photography stands in contrast to commercial photography which is used to sell a product or service and is also different to photojournalism which is used to provide a visual support for stories.

This style is sometimes referred to as ‘art photography’ or ‘artistic photography’. According to some reference books, the definition takes into account the expression of an artist’s perceptions and emotions. Thus, it is taken as a fine art in itself and is sometimes used as wall portraiture.

Advancing certain causes. Some fine art photographers are known to be avid promoters of conservation and their work reflects this passion. By raising public awareness on such issues, they can help build political support for their protection.

Current trends in fine art photography seem to have shifted from the actual taking of photographs to a careful staging and lighting of pictures. Technological trends in digital photography have also opened new directions and new ‘spectrums’ by offering filtering choices that include artistic visions in ultraviolet, infrared and visible photography.

There has also been a tendency for the photographer to overlap with other genres, notably photojournalism and fashion photography. Thus blur can be seen in lectures, trade fairs and exhibitions where such terms as ‘humanitarian photography’ are used. It is also not surprising to find pictures taken on assignments for newspapers and magazines appearing in frames on museum and galleries’ walls.

Another side of fine art photography can be seen by considering what fine art enthusiasts say about it. Most people will say that these images have a feeling that each viewer associates with. They say that it is rarely the event, place or object of the photograph but more importantly the feeling generated.

The success of most fine art pieces thus seem to lie on this evaluation; whether the artist has conveyed a sense of feeling to the viewer through his or her pictures. Each image has its own way of expression and evokes feelings that may be totally alien to each viewer.

Even with advanced digital photographs, evoking feelings inside the viewer is always the goal. Even this as the main goal of fine art photography, it is not an easy task and does always accomplish this objective. But when it does. . .

Bob Pardue Photography