Photography News

Photography as Art

January 22, 2014 by Leanne Cole

Is all photography art, or is only some of it art?  Are we photographers or artists?  Are some of us photographers and some of us artists?  How do you know which is which?

 

Interesting questions, and something I’ve been trying to work out for some time.  I tried to do a post on it last year, but I don’t think I thought about properly and I was slammed for it.  No one seemed to understand what I was trying to get at.  People thought I was putting photography down and implying that art was more superior, which I don’t think at all, I just feel that they are different.

 

Recently I saw an online program from Joel Grimes and he talked about how he considers himself an artist and not a photographer.  That while he uses the medium of photography, he is an artist.  When I saw this I decided that I should tackle this topic again.

 

I have always considered myself an artist, I have that piece of paper from the VCA that says I am too.  Not that the piece of paper is necessary, but it is nice to have.  When I hear other artists talking, I know I have the same passion as them.

 

I recently had someone comment on my blog about being an artist and I responded with this: “I believe some people are born to be artists, and others will spend their lives aspiring to be one. I really hope that I am the first one. I can’t live without creating, it consumes my every waking hour, and my sleep. I see images everywhere, and I am constantly planning what I will do next. It sends shivers up and down my body when I think about how important it is to me. I have lived without art and I was a very unhappy person, when I started creating again the world around me started to shine.”

 

To me that is what an artist is; possessing an overwhelming urge to create.  If you aren’t doing that, then you are depressed – something is missing from your life.  I know people who say they are artists, but will stop doing it while they go onto something that isn’t creative. To me, a true artist can never stop.

 

I showed a couple of images last week and I thought I would use them here.

 

city-20140111-6467

I took this image in the city a couple of weeks ago.  It is a nice image, and looks nice, but it is only a record of what I saw.  Of course, I knew how to set my camera up, and I composed the image, but it is the same sort of shot that anyone standing where I was, with the same camera settings, could take.  It doesn’t necessarily tell you anything about me, other than how I find this area interesting.

 

leannecole-city-20140111-6467-3hpm

This image has more ‘me’ in it.  This is creating something from something else by changing the reality of the image.  I have turned an area in the city into an area that looks abandoned, I hope, so that it evokes an emotional response.  It would be a lot harder for someone to create an image the same as this, they might come close, but there would be differences due to everyone having different creative processes and perspectives.

 

I thought we could look at how Joel sees being an artist.  I think he says some interesting and inspiring things:

 

How we define the photographic process or how we view ourselves, will drastically influence the final outcome of our work.”  This really rings true for me.  The other thing he said which I think really is spot on is, “As a general rule, photographers seem to be more obsessed with equipment and techniques and tend to overlook the creative process.”  Interesting idea.  I do know that you often hear photographic artists saying that they are not very technical.  I know I feel the same way. I was asked in a class recently about white balance, and had to say that I don’t teach students about it because I don’t really understand it.  I understand enough about it, but I don’t really care too much about it.  My camera does well with the white balance on auto, and that is where I tend to leave it.

 

Another one of Joel’s quotes is, “Without the creative process, the most technically proficient photograph on the planet, can be a complete bore.”  That is really interesting.  Also, “if you let photography be defined by the technical process, then are obligated to work within the boundaries set by your definition.”  By this he means someone who defines their photography by a process, like contact printing, if that is what you do then you have to keep doing it, whether your images are interesting or not.  I also assume with this he could mean things like following the photography rules.  Not allowing for any creativeness to determine or define or images.

 

I got the impression from Joel that when you are an artist you can do what you like; that anything goes.  Whereas photographers don’t have that luxury, there are rules and techniques you have to abide by.

 

There is one thing that Joel says that I don’t agree with, he says that we can all be artists.  I don’t know about that, and I don’t believe it to be true.  I think it cheapens the whole concept of what it means to be an artist, and I think it makes the whole idea less special.  For me, I want to feel that I have a talent for something that not everyone else has.  Not everyone can be a doctor, a mathematician or a scientist.  Everyone is wired differently, and some people are born to be artists.

 

Of course this is all my opinion.  This is what it means to me to be an artist, however, it might not mean the same for you, but hopefully you have a similar idea.

 

For Discussion.

Do you define yourself as a photographer or an artist?

Then why do you do you define yourself that way?

 

Some more images for you to consider.

 

Leanne Cole is a Melbourne based fine art photographer who specialises in Architecture and landscapes.  She has over 20 years experience and has a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Melbourne, faculty VCA.  Leanne also writes her own blog and has been doing that for many years now, she writes for anyone interested in photography.  You can find Leanne at her website www.leannecole.com.au, or her blog, she is also on Google+ and Facebook

56 Responses to “Photography as Art”

  1. Livonne says:

    I would definitely call myself an artist. I prefer to create something from a photograph rather than getting the perfect photograph.. Now that’s not to say I don’t love photography but I have to say I take a photograph with the idea that I can use it to create something else. I admire photographers that can take that “straight from the camera” shot and I can ooh and ahh over it with complete admiration and respect. I love getting a great photo too.. but even when i’ve got it, I find myself going back to it constantly and playing with it to make it something different.. so I think that means I’m more an artist that uses photography as a medium.. :)

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I have a real problem with the idea of the perfect photo, so it is good to see others have that too. That is great to hear Livonne, I love what you have said here and can really relate to most of it. Thank you.

  2. Sonel says:

    Great post Leanne and thanks for sharing your lovely insights. Of course there will always be photographers that are not going to agree with you as we all see things differently and some of them think they know it all. I see you as a ‘photographic artist’. You take your photo’s and create what you would like to see. Not every one will like it, but I feel if you like it and your are satisfied with what you have created and you had fun doing it, who cares what others think? I know I love your work. :D

    Yes, there are some photographers that are totally obsessed with their equipment and the technical side of photography, like the rules of thirds, composition, lighting, etc. To me it’s like religion. They want to believe what they believe and that’s their choice. I don’t have any religion and as long as they don’t want to force their beliefs down my throat for not believing what they do, I will respect them for it and it goes for photography as well.

    Unfortunately some of them doesn’t like the ‘beliefs’ of others – and will come and put down your photography skills and what you do with you photo’s. With that I don’t agree and I can’t stand people like that. No one is better than another just because he/she has a better camera, more talents/money/status, etc. We are all unique but we are all connected as well and we should allow each other to express ourselves the way we do best. :)

    I agree with Joel however. We all can be artists. He doesn’t say we all ‘are’ artists. He say we ‘can be’. Artists are unconventional, sometimes crazy, the ones that think out-of-the-box and they bring passion, energy and sincerity to their work. Even someone’s job can be a platform for art – when and how you interact with the people you work with, even customers. We create what we want and that is why we ‘can be’ artists. It’s in all of us but most don’t realise it or use what they have. I think the minute we stop playing and creating and there’s no fun in what we do, that’s the minute that we stop being artists. :)

    As I’ve explained to everyone in my Photo-editing challenge and you can read it here : http://sonelscornerphotochallenge.wordpress.com/photo-editing-weekly-challenge/. In the end it’s all about interpretation and another means of expression.

    Just because we like to be creative with our photographs doesn’t mean all the other photographers have to be too. When I see a photo with great composition of a bird up in a tree with the blue skies above him and the sun catching the colours of his wings with the green leaves around him, it inspires me. It’s the same when I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset with no editing done on the photo. It makes me glad that we are all different, that we have different tastes and that we can inspire each other – and we can do that without breaking each other down.

    I am also not very technical and when professional photographers starts talking about settings used and what needs to be in the frame, my brain switches off and I draw a blank. I look at something, see something in it and I will take the shot. Sometimes I create something from it with my editing software, other times I leave it as it is.

    To answer your question : I don’t like to label myself. I love creating and I love taking photo’s but I don’t see myself as a professional or a god’s gift to humankind. I just love to share what I see around me every day – my grateful moments. I think to be able to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, nature around us, all the beautiful things – it’s something that some don’t have and most can’t capture it – and for that I am very, very grateful. :D

    • Leanne Cole says:

      Wow what a comment Sonel, haha. First of all, the first part thank you so much, and I agree, some people will agree and others won’t. Thank you to for what you said about my work.

      I agree, can I just say I agree. :) I don’t think those photographers who are obsessed with what gear or how they do their work are artists, I think they are photographers.

      I agree with the next part as well, you shouldn’t put others down.

      I will disagree on the next part, but you knew I would.

      I agree about the idea that not all photographers have to be creative with their images.

      I do label myself Sonel, I believe I am an artist, and that is part of the problem I have.
      Thank you Sonel for your input here, great. :)

      • Sonel says:

        hehehe, you surely hit a spot there this morning Leanne, as I love to talk about these topics. We agree to disagree and that is also what I so love about you. We can disagree about something without feeling bad what the other one said and to me it says so much. We both have our own opinions because we accept each other the way we are. That’s what life is all about and I respect you for that. :D

        You see yourself as an artist hon and that’s great and you should. I think you’re an excellent photographer and artist (photographic artist) when it comes to your photography. I think why I don’t label myself is because I don’t feel I have that right as I am just a jill-of-all-trades and master of nothing. I just enjoy what I do and don’t think I will ever be ‘good enough’ – if you know what I mean. ;)

        • Leanne Cole says:

          I used to feel the same way Sonel, I can remember asking a teacher at school why I wasn’t good at one sport and she said that is because you can play them all well, just not great. I spent my own life trying to find something I am good at, and I hope I have found that now.
          It is great that we can discuss things and it doesn’t matter if we agree or not, I really like that too Sonel.

  3. Wow, you did make the chambers photo your very own, didn’t you! I like it. And I’m impressed with the abandoned area too. And, of course, the tall building becomes a painting in your hands! I think anybody who is passionate about photography sooner or later finds a way to say what he wants to say through his images. The great photographers focused on what they wanted to say, I think. Great post, Leanne.

  4. francina says:

    Good article , Leanne. Photography is art as well, and you are most certainly an artist.
    Creativity is a gift as well as a talent. I love to be creative , with my camera and with writing poetry , but I think I miss the needed drive to be a true artist.
    Groetjes, Francina

    • Leanne Cole says:

      That drive is so important, don’t you think, I believe I have that drive, I am always driving for that next photo and can’t wait to do it. Thank you Francina, you have some great points too.

  5. gilly says:

    Interesting debate Leanne. I consider myself to be a creative. I can create art using my photography, but if we believe art to be the ability to create for example a drawing that is an accurate representation of something, then I’m not an artist. I used to be unhappy about that, to envy people with those skills (my choice of the word skill is also interesting isn’t it? a skill is after all something that can be acquired with practice), but now I’m okay because my medium is photography. Perhaps the important thing is to find and make the most of the talents we have.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      For me art is important, if I am not taking photos, then I have to paint, or draw, and I can draw people to look like the person it is meant to look like, but I don’t think that ability is what makes you an artist, it is a drive, it is a need to continue being creative, that is what it is for me. If I’m not creating something, then I am a very unhappy person. We all have people we envy because of skills they have, but then you probably have skills that others don’t. I think you hit the nail on the head with the last part. Thank you Gypsy.

  6. PotSoup says:

    ” Skill as a result of learning and practice ” that is how art was defined originally some 700 years ago. It had a more commercial note to it before the luxuries of excess wealth and rich people thirsting for culture hit the scene and began promoting special talent as art. Of course photography is art, a conscious expression of self doesn’t work for me though. When you choose the filters, photoshop effects and other tweaks on your image you create what appeals to you aesthetically. This appeal is itself determined by who you are. True not everyone has the ability to create images that gather mass praise as works of art; but honed skills of composition, subject selection, zoom level and the choice of light is this all not an art?

  7. Leanne, this was very interesting and inspiring to read. To me photography is an art, but not everyone with a camera is an artist, there is more to it than just pressing that shutter button. I love taking photos but I don’ t consider myself an artist. Yet, you wrote something that made me wonder “Some people are born to be an artist, and others will spend their lives aspiring to be one”. I’ve been following Chase Jarvis and there’s an idea that he keeps saying once in a while and that is that there are no natural born creativity genius, everyone can be creative you just have to practice it. There’s no one that always creates masterpieces, there are some days in which the created art will be very good and others in which it will be just crap.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      There are so many different things that people say. I had a teacher who said that once, that she was told anyone can be an artist, and then she said she didn’t agree with it. Someone else here said that being an artist was about a drive to create, and I think that is very true. I’ve met people who have taken up painting or drawing, and then gone and got a job and never painted again. They don’t really miss it, I couldn’t be like that, I would have to keep painting, or taking photos. I think perhaps it is that drive. I like what you said about pressing the shutter, and I think that is very true. It is also very subjective, what you call art, may not be what I call art. Thanks for your thoughts Nadia.

  8. Raewyn Forbes says:

    Hi Leanne,
    I agree with you about not everyone can be a photographic artist. There are some people who as you say are purists. That is why I don’t belong to a physical camera club. These people I would say are technical photographers. That is they are so hung up with the settings, what lens to use and don’t believe in any form of editing whatsoever. And that is fine. That is their thing. But I don’t consider them as true artists. Do you call a photojournalist an artist? When in reality they are just recording a small moment in time. What about a fashion photographer? Sorry about that, as I know that they photoshop every image. That is not art. That is conforming to society’s needs or images of the perfect specimen. Not a creative or artistic need.
    I have always drawn as a child and would have loved to gone to university to pursue this further. But the time wasn’t right for me to do so and I ended up nursing. But that doesn’t mean I stopped being creative. I had some rudimentary lessons on composing photos when I was 11 and was hooked. So I still took photos.
    Even 20 years ago I was into post editing. That I found to be more fun that actually taking a photo. Which as you say anyone can do. But for me the fun really starts with the editing. It makes me an artist in that I am developing my own style and I hope is distinctive to me and me alone.
    I am like you in that everywhere I go I am always so conscious of my surroundings and how I would take a photo and what to do with it. When those feelings stop then you stop being an artist. Colours and textures have meaning. Even if I don’t take photos I am still creative with beading and embroidery. So I consider myself a textile artist as well. There is still the development element in having a blank piece of fabric and seeing a picture come alive with embroidery. That is what makes an artist. To see a vision and act upon it to create a piece of artwork.
    How many discussions have there been about different artistic styles and how many artists are not really appreciated until after they have died. The debate will never end.
    As an artist I am more interested in the final product and love looking at other works.
    They inspire me. Everyone is different, but criticism of other’s work is deconstructive and stems the creative flow for the person concerned. I am thinking of Van Gogh who was a genius but never appreciated until after he had died. It is no wonder he was so depressed, which shows in his works.
    You bring up some valid points. My twin sister loves photography, but considers herself a purist. She focused on macro and the image had to be just perfect, no cropping or colour adjustments needed. That I find to be rather boring. I find myself going out and taking photos and feeling bored with the technical side of it all. Yes my technical skills have improved with the modern camera I have. But what do you do with the images? Anyone can get a modern camera and with in a few days take awesome photos. But I want to be different to the other photographers and put my own style and that is what makes me an artist.
    Cheers.
    :D

    • Leanne Cole says:

      Another great comment Raewyn, I agree with everything you have said, my story is almost exactly the same, only I was given an opportunity to really learn how to draw and paint as well, only I have decided that photography is my medium.
      I love what you said about camera clubs, I think you really hit home there, and that is the reason I left. There really was no room for any creativity there, it is so frustrating, how dare you do anything that is different.
      Thank you so much, this is wonderful.

  9. beth kennedy says:

    i have always considered your photography to be art, and you an artist with a camera as your tool for creating what you do.

    beth

  10. Richard says:

    Photography is Art but so much of Art is in the “eye of the beholder” so not everything you, I or anyone else does is going to be liked by everyone.

    For me the Church windows are better than the others but that does not say the others are not good – they are good and are of course art.

    I will be in Melbourne in early March so will look out for some of the sights you have taken photos of.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      It is all in the beholder, art is very subjective.
      How cool, well if you want any tips, let me know, thanks Richard.

  11. Read all the comments. One thought stick in my mind: why do we need to pigeonhole ourselves?
    Be what you may and be happy with it, as some of the comments seem to express.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      Yeah, I think we do, isn’t that what we humans do.
      I like the idea that an artist has the freedom to do what they please and can disregard the rules.
      Thanks for you thoughts Javier.

  12. Noeline says:

    I don’t really see the need for ‘labelling’, putting things into little boxes all the time – it seems more a case of wanting to differentiate ourselves from others ….
    Anyway, if we have to label, then why not an artistic/creative photographer? One who understands and uses the technical aspect of photography to create images in camera that express a personal creative vision.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      Some people like labelling, I like the idea that if you call yourself one thing then that excuses you for not doing what everyone thinks you should do.
      Joel Grimes says that when he stopped calling himself a photographer and started calling himself an artist, he could stop justifying what he did to everyone else. Now he just says its art, and he is an artist. I really like, it appeals to me so much.

  13. John Grant says:

    Individuals will disagree on the definition of a photographer and an artist, with many claiming that they are not mutually exclusive. I myself cannot draw or paint to save my life, but I see myself as being able to express myself through photography. In that sense I would see myself as an artist that uses the medium pif photography – i.e. an artist first, photography second.

    Must admit I hadn’t thought about it before.

    Meticulous Mick

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I think you are right, individuals will disagree, and perhaps it is about you deciding. I have always felt uncomfortable calling myself a photographer, as I think it doesn’t really describe me, Whereas artist does. If I wasn’t taking photos I would be painting and drawing, which is what I did when I gave up film photography and before I was introduced to digital photography. I have to be making pictures, I prefer photography, but if I can’t do that, then I have a studio full of things that I can paint and draw with. That is me.
      It is a funny concept, but I think for me it is when I get comments from people telling me that I haven’t done things right, like the horizon is in the middle, but for me that is where it worked best. I think labeling myself as an artist can give me more artist freedon.
      Thanks MM, your name has nothing to do with your blog name, how funny, that really surprised me.

  14. Bev Green says:

    Wonderful images Leanne..i never class myself as either photographer or artist…I just find something that makes my heart swell and snap..it may be good it may be bad..i have only just started to play with the photos…I see creative opportunity in everything..be it sewing knitting cooking gardening photgraphs ..everything brings my inner artist out..so I have no idea what I would call myself…I just know I feel naked without my camera and actually fear missing out on a good photo opportunity….time will tell how I find myself labelled :) Great post.Bev

    • Leanne Cole says:

      It sounds like you are a creative person though Bev, and that is how a creative person is. We can discuss this over coffee later this morning.
      Thank you.

  15. Robert says:

    The ephemeral soul that is embedded into a person’s work is what makes a person an artist over someone who is just technically competent. Like love, we all know what it is but damn if we can describe it in bullet points. I once got in to it with a portrait painter (oils) – he firmly believed that because photographs could be mass produced – then photography was not art. To this day, I still believe him to be incorrect
    Great post Leanne –

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I believe him to be incorrect too, what about printmakers, they mass produce their work. Though I have to say that I always edition my photographs, just like printmakers do, that way it makes them seem more valuable. I like the idea of the ephemeral soul, that is really wonderful. Thank you so much Robert.

  16. Howard Blue says:

    I shoot everything with little regard to whether it is a good photo or not…a camera and programs like photoshop are =2 paint, paintbrush, stone, etc.

    shoot.
    Play.
    create.
    Destroy.
    and shoot everything…Literally!!

    Art in the 21st century is an antiquated term.

    Art vs. Photography…its all in your mind.

    tip: if what your about to shoot can be taken by anyone on a cel….dont!

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I love everything you have said Howard, all very true. I think the same about the comparison in your first line.
      I think the last tip is great too.

      Thank you.

  17. Sally says:

    I understand your philosophy and point of view within its stages of evolution. I had a mother who was a successful abstract expressionist painter in the 50s, 60s and 70s. She knew from her childhood that she wanted to be an artist. I was surrounded by the artistic community all my life: growing up and eventually became steeped in arts administration, higher education, exploring textile arts and photography. I have never been comfortable calling myself an artist, probably because my exposure was to the rising stars and the best. When someone else refers to me as an artist, I resist. I wrote a master’s thesis on demystifying creativity. That is, that creativity is on a continuum. An individual’s means of self expression can be small or vast. It also can waiver back and forth, stay in one place as well as cross disciplines. The subject of artist vs. photographer as moniker is certainly that has been debated. I do believe that a photographer who reaches a certain level of self expression and achievement is an artist. But not everyone creates on an artistic level. Can creativity be taught? Many publications covered that one to midland success. Other similar subjects have caused much discussion over the centuries. They are very much part of debates about: What is art? Is photography fine art? Is American craft art? Since the twentieth-century photography and craft have been recognized as fine art. Each is recognized in juried exhibitions and museum collections. The camera is one of the most engaging of all artistic tools. But it can never be anything other than a human invention and tool unless its potential is realized by the user. Maybe it’s not important what we are called, the work should speak for itself: art for art’s sake or …I am always encouraging others to explore self expression through any medium that excites or teases them. The Sunday painter can stay just that or soar into higher realms. We are all on a journey and some of us just cannot exist without a path to try and realize our own potential as a creative being. For me it’s a constant source of nourishment and nurturing, but satiation is not an end but another starting point. My self expression through photography and writing define a large part of me: the part that is striving to be better and evergreen as well as see my universe in new ways. I am encouraged that cyberspace has brought us together into this community of explorers, which has turned into an avenue that shores the spirit and pushes for so much more.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      Wow Sally if I had known about this before I wrote the piece I would have got you to contribute, what a great comment.
      I don’t really know what to say in response, I think you have made some excellent points. Brilliant stuff. Thank you so much.

    • Robert says:

      Good points Sally. I too was thinking continuum of art – or art as a matter of degrees along a spectrum. Actually what came to mind is how certain mental disorders (such as autism) are described – they fall along a spectrum from minor to major. Perhaps a bad analogy for artists but it is just to illustrate the point. Yes, I HAVE to be doing something creative – I get very sullen if I am not up to something – not necessarily great art, but at least making a try at it.

  18. Amelia says:

    I consider myself an artist who uses photography as my primary medium. I say this because at this present moment, photography is the best way I see to express what I am interested in. In a few years, who knows, I may go into sculpture, back into painting, or stick with photography. Another reason I say this is much of my photography is just as much about the sculptures or “paintings” within the image as the act of photographing it. Using photography as a way of showing the work definitely adds to the work conceptually, too. I am excited by this relatively young medium and where it can and will go in the future; this excitement is again, one of the reasons I work in photography today.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      This could be me Amelia, thank you so much for your thoughts on this. I totally agree with everything you have said, and yes, it is exciting to see where the future will takes us.

  19. Eryl Shields says:

    Great post, Leanne. I remember your post about this subject last year, and the reaction it caused. I tend to think of myself as an artist who has yet to acquire the skills needed to say the thing I need to say. I tried doing it with writing – going so far as to get a master’s degree in creative writing – but it didn’t quite work, now I’m trying photography, and feel I’m getting somewhere. My technical knowledge is scant. I do know about f-stops, shutter speed, etc (even white balance), but pay them little heed when I’m making an image. I just tend to go by my own eye, and feelings. If I don’t like the tone I change the white balance, if I want a distinct focal point I lower the f-stop, and so on. It’s taken me a while to get to this stage; for ages I fretted about sharpness for example. Now it doesn’t worry me so much, and I can live with the grainy images my not terribly impressive camera delivers.

    Art, I think, is about emotion; the communication of emotions, perhaps. An artist attempts to say something about the world, in his/her own distinct voice, and evoke an emotional response in the viewer in order to trigger the viewer’s thought process. To me art is philosophy through the senses. Whereas photography is more about documentation, perhaps. I don’t really know, but you have got me thinking again, so thanks.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I think calling yourself an artist means that it doesn’t matter if you know all that stuff. Like White Balance, you know, I know the theory behind why they use white balance, but start talking to me in Kelvin temperature of colours, and you lose me. I know how to use my camera, and to get what I want, but beyond that I don’t really understand. I have only figured out the difference between full frame and cropped frame for cameras recently.

      I agree art is all about emotion, I use photography to convey emotions, the same way a painter does or a sculpture, I want to get a reaction from the viewer with my images. I think that is a great thing to do.
      Glad I got you thinking Eryl, and thank you for your response.

  20. Mary McAvoy says:

    Good post, Leanne – thanks.
    I consider myself an artist. I have no training whatsoever in photography and I do little to no editing of my photos, by choice. When I am shooting, I am emotionally present. A little bit of my heart is in each of my photos. I shoot what I respond to viscerally and that response is still activated when I look at my photos. I always hope that viewers of my work have the same response or a response of their own that is similar.
    I’m also a writer and my writing springs from the same emotional place.
    I guess I see my work as coming from one human heart with the hope that it will speak to any human heart in a positive way.
    At the root of all my work is love. Through my nature photography I hope that people see the beauty in our world and that they are motivated to love planet Earth and to care for it. Through my writing, I hope that people are reminded of how essential love is to our health and ultimately to our survival.
    These aren’t light topics though my work is incredibly simple and uncomplicated, as love should be.
    I think this is the heart of an artist speaking!
    Thanks again, Leanne ~

    • Leanne Cole says:

      All sounds fantastic Mary, you really know what you want to get from your work. I guess in the end, it really comes down to what we want to call ourselves. I think being an artist is about drive too and you certainly seem to have that. Thank you Mary.

  21. robert87004 says:

    Leanne, I keep telling myself I’m just going to appreciate what you write (which I invariably do) and not write a comment, but here I go again……..I don’t know if I’m an artist when it comes to photography, but I suspect not.

    But, I write poetry as mood moves me. When I am writing, I don’t take very many photos and when I’m not writing I take hundreds of photos. When words fail, photography fills the empty spaces.

    I don’t like processing, instead immersing myself in the moment of taking a photo, whether good or bad. It’s why I find JPG sufficient to the task. I can spend days on a 16 line poem but find it difficult to spend 30 minutes processing a photo. That’s not creation to me, not on a personal level, anyway.

    Attempting to capture what I see, or visualize, is my challenge and satisfaction, even if I fail at the time. I am seldom disappointed after a day’s shooting, because the experiences fulfilled my need. John Denver had a song, “You Fill Up My Senses” (Annie’s Song) and that seems to be about right with photography, again, for me. Maybe that is my personal art?

    I know the entire process is art to you, it’s your main form of expression. But, I remember your work in clay was pretty awesome too.

    So I think I’m an artist (poet)and not quite (photographer), each in turn. Does this seem contradictory?

    While I agree some take sterile (boring), technically proficient photos, I suspect there is no certain dividing line, at least for some of us. I’m thinking I agree with your basic premise, not everyone can be an artist.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I think ultimately it is probably something only you can decide. I know of people that I think aren’t artists, but that is my opinion. If you feel like an artist then you probably are. Sorry for the short reply, I’m away and my access to the internet is limited.

      Can I say the spectrum idea you put up above sounds fantastic.

  22. Sorry Leanne but I must disagree about artists. I think anyone can be one just as anyone can be a doctor or mathematician. To quote my current go to thinkers, David Bayles and Ted Orland:
    “Artmaking involves skills that can be learned. The conventional wisdom here is that while “craft” can be taught, “art” remains a magical gift bestowed by the gods. Not so. In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which make your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive. Clearly, these qualities can be nurtured by others. Even talent is rarely distinguishable, over the long run, from perseverance and hard work.”
    Very interesting article. Thank you.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I am away so don’t know if this is going to work.
      I don’t think I agree with you. I know I couldn’t be a mathematician, I find maths boring, and I just can’t work it out in my head. I think we are given certain types of skills, some people are very good at problem solving, some people are very good working with their hands. I just think it would be a really boring world if everyone was the same, and everyone could do the same as the person next to them.
      I think the thing that it all comes down to is drive, you will have drive for certain things and not others. I have an overwhelming drive in me to create, I have to do it, and I can’t stop. I have no drive for medicine, or mathematics. I couldn’t care less for them, okay I care whether or not my doctor can fix me when I am sick, but that is about it.
      I think sports if a fantastic example here, look at people who are naturally gifted sports people. I have seen people who want to be great, but if they don’t have that natural gift to start with, it will never happen for them. We are all made up differently. That is what I think, I know you disagree, but oh well we will have to agree to disagree.

  23. Imax says:

    great article. worth reading,

  24. Lynne Ayers says:

    I have been struggling with very topic myself. On my photography blog at beyondthebrushphotography.wordpress.com I have a tab labelled Fine Art Photography – so which photos qualify and which don’t? To date the ones included are ones which I have edited to distort the image, adding textures, playing with colour etc. But I have other images that I have altered considerably through lighting, focus, blurring, etc and I haven’t included them though I’ve wanted to, but held back because the alterations were more of a photographic nature, than painterly.

    Reading your post has brought things into better focus. I had already come to think of each photograph as a canvas, merely a starting point and so whatever techniques I use, whether painterly or new-age dark room techniques I see that each portrays my own personal vision.

    I too appreciate a seemingly perfect technically taken photo but it’s not what I aspire too – I think I’m too old for the learning curve ;) The whole topic brings to mind discussions as to whether Robert Bateman, http://robertbateman.ca, is a technician, or an artist.

    There are still photos that I don’t think qualify – ones that are more or less straight out of the camera – as you say, the person standing beside me could have taken the same shot. I like them and they are on my blog, but are not included in the Fine Art gallery.

    Thanks for raising this topic Leanne. There should be a lot of interesting viewpoints and discussion.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      I guess ultimately the only person who can decide what is a fine art image is you. For myself, I would ask myself the question, if I were going to have a show in a gallery, which images would I use. I don’t think it has to have lots of editing, but it has to be something that you think someone would want to buy and hang on their walls. That is how I look at it. But as varied and strange as the question is, one thing is for sure, everyone will give you a different answer.

      Good luck with it Lynne and thank you.

  25. […] member of Photographers.com.au and frequently posts there. I found a recent post and discussion on “Photography as Art” by Leanne quite interesting. I’ll write more on that topic soon. (If you’re in […]

  26. Jane says:

    Hello Leanne,
    I consider myself a photographic artist, which is not to say I am not also a photographer.
    When I am doing my “artwork” I use the photo as the skeleton from which, to then layer my artistic view of whatever it is I am trying to express.
    I don’t have “THAT piece of paper”, my work has come from 35 years experience with a camera, yes I started old school, with film, when females were not allowed to study photography at school lol.

    Not having THAT piece of paper for years held me back in confidence and feeling validated as an artist. I have learnt now that it is not the end all of becoming an artist. For me, using photography to tell a story, rather then just record an event is how I express myself artistically. I love doing wedding photography, but this is not the same as my artistic photography, when I guess I have no one to please but myself, which is always liberating. I do try though with my wedding photography to do a few “ART” pieces for my clients, this gives them more then a well captured record of the event.

    • Leanne Cole says:

      That is terrible that you have felt you needed that piece of paper, there are so many artists out there that don’t have them and in the end it is always going to be about the work. I have the piece of paper and while it helps sometimes, it is the be all and end all of it, the work has to be good and if it isn’t then it doesn’t matter what the piece of paper says.
      I hope you are just creating now Jane. Good luck.

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