Photography

Photography,
This is one of the greatest mediums of the world we live in today. Some art patrons would tell you that painting or sculpture are the true genres of talent...and yes they require many skills indeed. But, photography is so versatile that you cannot deny it's pull in the facets of one's own life. Without photos to look at, how would we decide what the sidewalks of George Street in St. John's, Newfoundland look like. This place may not be everyone's first pick, but if you wanted to make an appearance you would know where to start because you know what it looks like. Also, how would one know what the result of a ball game, election, war, construction project, environmental success or even a complex cooking recipe was. We earthlings of today take for granted the lovely, yet simple machine called camera.

Regarding the left-field version of photography, or art photography, I feel a strong opinion is necessary. This is not photojournalism, advertising graphic design or even National Geographic. This is art meant exclusively to entertain one person, the artist. There is no aim for monetary gain or positive feedback. Those who can understand or even attempt to understand have a head start; kind of like when you meet a Frenchmen at a bar and at least try to speak French rather than make no effort whatsoever. Art photography is something special. It expresses something that is real. Yes, it might have been tweeked here and there for scratches or scuffs in Photoshop, but it was a split-second moment when the artist felt something. It is hard to explain the inspirations that come and go at random times during the day. Sometimes I see chives and scallops floating in soy sauce a certain way and see art, but that's what it's all about.

Some artists may have an opinion that is very different from my own, but that is what makes it great. If every artist had the same opinion the art world would not have had members like Kertesz, Cartier-Bresson and Callahan and it would not exist today. Art photography is the youngest child in a large family of art genres. There is a large portion that is moving with the future and digital photography and there are fundalmentalists out there that still feel using a large format view camera is the only way to go.

Here's to the viewfinders.

BW