Why is Art Important?
Seeing comes before words - JohnBerger
But we only see what we look at - to look is an act of choice. We seldom look at one thing. WE see things in relation to one another. Our vision is constnatly moving around.
When I create an image I am selecting an "appearance" from a certain place and time. I am making an active choice to select a certain viewpoing, to include and exclude certain aspects, and to choose a certain subject.
However my way of seeing may be dfifferent to what the viewer sees in the same image.
In my images I want to provide more than documentaory evidence, of a representation. If I make it more imaginary, it allows other sto share my ecpenrience of the visible.
Everyone's way of looking at an image is affected by their assumptions about Beauty, Truth, Form, taste etc.
When I see a landscape I want you to situate yourself "in" it.
Technically I focus on the composition which provides the first emotional charge, or power, to the photo - the compostional unity of the image.
To see means to notice or become aware of something, while to look means to direct your eyes in a particular direction, anad to watch means to look at something for an amount of time and pay attention. BUT "Looking'' is taking in a quick and overall view, while ''seeing'' is actually engaging in finding the details of the photograph.
"Another way of telling" (by John Berger is also an apt phrase for a photograph - words are not necessary. The questioon is "how can the meanign of a photograph be drawn out?" "What is it's essence?"
Gazing on to the face of life and reading what can be read" - DH Lawrence.
Do we "introgate" the visible? Do we try to put nto words what we see, or should we appreciate what our perceptions tell us.
My images are not of the documentary type, telling a story, although my feeling may be reduced to words. Some objects might give rise to what they may signify. For example, my yachts variously make me think about freedom, independence, exploration, leisure, relaxation or wealth depending on the context, or my state of mind.
The image may also include other objects may just take my eye. Soounds of the objectss or of nature may also fill my mind. The sound of waves, the clinking of the rigging in the winds, and the smell of the sea. Clocks may be the moise or sound of time itself.
Cameras have been described as clocks for seeing
What is the purpose of Art?
Similar to many photographers, it would be easy for me to claim that my images are "fine art", and that "it is visual communication". Seldom do I see any attempt to explain why - just saying so doesn't make it true.
Qustion: What is "fine art", and is Photography fine art?
Fundamentally a fine art image is more than the mere representation of a scene, an event or a person or people. It also needs to convey an emotion or feeling. Indeed there are a large number of books and articles telling us what is art, and what is not art.
From psychological research there is a link between perception (i.e. comprehending things through our senses) and thinking. That is to say, although the eye identifies and measures objects, our mind also discovers meaning in what we see. Some photographers state that a photo must tell a story, but there a certain qualities of a work of art that we see and feel, but are unable to express them in words.
The language of the visual arts is form, shape, compostion, texture, pattern, and colour, space and movement. The most important thing is
that the fine art photography creates an image that is not merely "of" something, but "about" something. Put simply, there is no point to a visual shape apart from what they us and the meaning they convey. Fine art delivers much deeper meanings, sometime metaphors.
Gestalt psycholgoy (studies in shape and form) were derived from experiments in sensory perception.
Fine art is a term used to describe creative works that are primarily appreciated for their aesthetic or intellectual value rather than their practical or utilitarian purpose. It often involves a high level of skill and craftsmanship and is intended to evoke emotions or stimulate thought.
Photography is indeed considered a form of fine art. Over the years, the perception of photography has evolved from merely capturing moments to being recognized as a powerful medium for artistic expression. Many photographers create images that are not only visually appealing but also convey a deeper meaning or emotion, contributing to the realm of fine art photography.
Photographers employ various techniques, compositions, and styles to create pieces that can be appreciated for their artistic merit. The choice of subject matter, lighting, framing, and post-processing all play a role in elevating a photograph to the status of fine art. Numerous photographic exhibitions, galleries, and contests focus specifically on fine art photography, further emphasizing its place in the art world.