Art Photography

What one person calls art, others would not use as fish wrappings? What do you think, is photography art?


Critics, historians, and the average Joe’s across the country will differ on this subject. “How do you call that Kodak trash - Art?” I turn with a curt response, “it is not Kodak trash, I used a Canon……….40D” – my response coming in a British accent. When I know I’m up against a really smart, artsy frartsy aficionado, I pull out the big gun – I shoot a classic Hassy 503cw. My son prefers the new age high res digital gear, you know kids now-a-days. Silence ensues.


Back to the darkroom - When I am done with the original shoot, I rarely use the pure negative and go straight to print. I tend to take my vision, the original photograph, and create a completely different image from where it started. I tweak, filter, and layer the photograph much like a painter works a canvas until it’s - fini – sometimes it’s hard to stop, but that’s where the little voice steps in and tells me to stop, that's where the art in artist is inserted.


If you have any thoughts on the subject please leave a response, visit our website, and the websites of the photographers we listed in the “Our Profile”.

Jon Schackmuth