Fine Art
What is fine art photography
This is an impossible question because there are so many different opinions on what fine art is. I think as an amateur photographer it is important to remember that photography is subjective and that opinions can differ quite tremendously.
Many consider fine art to be quite specific. The general consensus is that fine art is very minimalistic. It will have a single focal point and perhaps a point of foreground interest. Most ideas of fine art would accept that the image will be in black and white and often have little in the way of contrast. A google search of the term “Fine art photography” and you will find copious images based on this description.
My own opinion of fine art differs slightly from how most photographers would describe it. So what is it?
To answer we must ask another question: What is fine art? Defined by the English dictionary fine art is this: “Creative art, especially visual art to be appreciated primarily or solely for their imaginative, aesthetic or intellectual content” Fine art should create an emotion or consideration and an understanding of the emotion behind the image.”
I do not see the difference between painted piece of art and a well constructed and considered photograph. As a photographer, specifically a landscape photographer you would arrive at a predefined location at a predetermined time usually before a sunset or sunrise. You will spend around an hour walking around the area considering different compositions and taking in the beauty of the scene, there is no doubt that the conditions and composition of the scene will evoke an emotion. A good photographer will now consider the perfect settings and the perfect time to create the image to capture the feelings and emotions he/she felt at that very moment. Light plays a huge part in a successful fine art photography, usually photographers with shoot fine art photography after sunset or during a dull day defusing the light.
During the processing of the image the photographer will again have to consider the emotion behind the image and carefully enhance the image to evoke that emotion. The photographer is creating the image in much the same way as any artist creates an image.