November 17, 2019

Is Photography Still An Art Form? 

Photography can still be a great art form if one approaches the subject with respect, openness and a unique vision.

Photography is an expression of an intimate moment between photographer and subject.

We live in moments strung together that create our past and future. If we become aware of our surroundings within our unique moments we have a chance to create magnificent realities on a two demential platform.

We express ourselves in obnoxious ways and we express ourselves in quite ways. 

These quiet moments allow us to think before we begin searching the exterior reality for an image we sense is present.

We have to become part of the image reality we are studying, an extension of ourselves made visible through the details we decide to choose that will enhance our visual insight present in the scene before us that represents an importance to our inner intuitive consciousness that is beginning to form a composition in the continuous flux of light as the photographer begins to solidify his composition.

Photography is an art form with many dimensions. Many avenues of study and learning opportunities. If we seek to make great imagery then we need to let go of the preconditioning of thoughts we were raised by and just see life through an open mind. A mind willing to take chances with light, composition and exposure. You must be your unique self studying the landscape searching for that image you feel is present. 

Photography is an expression of moments in time, in a physical space we occupy in constant flux. If we only focus on the surface details then we have abandoned our artistic insights of deeper emotions, and ignore the scene evolving, changing and giving the photographer 1000s of possibilities that he will have to edit down in order to find those details that will be the corner stone of his visual foundation, setting the stage for that landscape that will not only express his inner perception through the nuances of light but also be a revelation to the viewer of his personal artistic expression.

Photography sees behind the facades of an empty life, a reality dimmed because of the control we assume we must have over ourselves to conform to a certain standard of behavior and then snap images in the present through those restrictions without understanding the infinity of moments before the shutter should be pressed. Patience is the first step in becoming a photographer, without patience you will be part of the herd mentality always moving forward, backward, sideways, down never toward your intuitive photographic expression.

We are trapped in our flesh and our physical space we live in. Our presence is transitory and as we age and change we accept our limitations and seek solace in our past when in fact we should be expecting, demanding a newness of vision, as we age in our individual history and we should be able to create a deeper understanding of our unique reality we are traveling through by increasing our power of awareness, our determination to expand our vision of ourselves through new, unique images. And become through our interior perceptions of our external physical space a rejuvenated expression of our selves through our photography.

We are physical beings that seek knowledge in the appearance of our surrounding and the forever changing realities we try to conquer. We need to ignore the pressure of the past. We mustn’t adapt to anything that limits our choices. We should always be seeking revelation of purpose and explore our inner world projecting ourselves and our photographic eye outward into the realm of infinite possibilities.

A moment in time is all a photographer needs to create a great image. Awareness of your surroundings, the angle of light through clouds and trees all must be taken into account before one can position himself/herself for the image creation.

The most important relationship between subject and photographer is respect and being in the right light.