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Fine art photography is difficult to define, primarily because artistic value is very much in the eye of the beholder. It can be best described as photography purely for the sake of expressing the photographer's own vision and feelings. It can also be defined by what it is not. It is not like commercial photography, in that it is not produced to sell a product or promote an image. It is not journalistic in nature where a photograph is taken to capture or tell a visual story that coincides with a written one. There are elements in the art photographer's world that tend to rely more on artistry and they are discussed below.
- Great Art Photographers
- Subject Matter
- Lighting and Composition
- Printing and Display
- Collectibility
Since the late 1970s art photography has gained in popularity among individual and institutional collectors. As print techniques for multiple reproductions improved, many photographers produced limited edition prints of their work in small numbers and placed them for sale through dealers or auctions or printed them in high-quality coffee table books of their own work. Fine art photography is sold under its own category at top auction houses around the globe.
What is Fine Art Photography?
How would you define it? What makes a photo Fine Art rather than something else? Can photographers really call themselves Fine Art Photographers? And what conditions would make it feasible for a photographer to include themselves in this category? Offer up your thoughts, take the discussion where you wish, and I’ll pick out some of the more insightful comments for an upcoming featured article.
And since we’re on the topic of insightful polls, be sure to check out the results and comments from last week asking the question “Do You Take Photos or Make Photos?” It looks like a majority “take photos” rather than “make photos”, and a good portion also says they “do both”. Several commentators also hit on the topic of what these terms really mean, so be sure to check that out.
This month's live chat discussion is on photographer wannabes. We've asked this question in the past, and it garnered a great deal of controversy. We at Studio Photography define a professional photographer as a person who makes a living at the craft of taking photos, whether in a studio that's open 5-7 days a week, or a "weekend warrior" who is either beginning their own business or working for others, in addition to a full-time job. A pro has had some degree of formal training and work experience, and has a business set up, including a resale certificate and/or other legal designations of a business. What we define as a photographer wannabe is the Generation-X mom with her new DSLR, going around the neighborhood and taking photos of her friends' children, or the Soccer dad who shoots thousands of photos at each of his children's games?and who may be making a little money off his newfound talents, but who hasn't invested by opening an actual business or studio. These are the folks who, like everyone's Uncle Harry at the last wedding or other event you covered, push their way in while you're busily composing formals to snap a few frames. These are the people who are taking sales from the "professional photographer." Our survey was sent out the third week of January; with over 1,700 respondents, most were eager to weigh in on the professional/non-professional debate.
A Comprehensive List of Photography live Chat Rooms on IRC & Internet
IRC CHAT CHANNELS DALNET
#photoshop
UNDERNET
#photo
WEB BASED live chats
1-21 of 21 Listings
Apug.org Traditional (non-digital) photographic processes; includes discussion forum, gallery, and invitation to submit work.
Arab.de No Chat, but interesting information.
ATT WorldNet Photography Chat and Message Board.
BJP Online Pro Forum. Message Board.
Bwphotographyforum.com Discussion Forum.
Cameraforums.net Discussion Forum.
Camera-info.com Forums discussion the various makes of cameras.
CaninePhotographers. Yahoo! Discussion Group.
CrossDaily.com Christian Photography Chat Room.
DG-Photography David Gibek, Polish Language. Yahoo! Discussion Group.
DigitalPhotochat.com Chat Room.
DPreview.com Forums.
Fine Art Nude Photography Chat Room.
gq_photography George Quiroga. Yahoo! Discussion Group.
iAgora.com Photography Chat Room.
Infrared_Photography. Yahoo! Discussion Group.
NeT-ArT Chat Room. In English and Italian.
Photographysites.com Discussion Forum.
Pixi Port Photography Chat Room.
Portrait-Photography. Yahoo! Discussion Group.
Woodard Words and Photos Nature Photography.
Related Photography Web Sites.
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