Photography ISN'T Art?! (Picture This Podcast)

Summary

In this episode of *Picture This Photography Podcast*, we explore the ongoing debate over whether photography is art. From early critics who dismissed photography as mere technology to modern photographers who champion it as a creative medium, the episode traces the evolution of photography’s artistic status. Highlights include the rise of pictorialism, the impact of figures like Alfred Stieglitz, and the formation of Group f/64. The discussion also covers how digital and mobile photography are shaping the future of art, challenging traditional perceptions. Tune in for a thought-provoking look at photography’s place in the art world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The debate over whether photography is art has been ongoing for centuries, with traditional artists often dismissing it as a mere mechanical process.
• 😀 Early critics like Baudelaire believed that photography lacked the creativity and skill of painting or sculpture, labeling it as a tool for 'wannabe painters'.
• 😀 Pictorialism emerged as a movement in photography where photographers intentionally manipulated their images to imitate the artistic qualities of paintings.
• 😀 Pioneers like Julia Margaret Cameron and later Ansel Adams played pivotal roles in challenging the idea that photography could not be art, promoting photography as an expressive medium in its own right.
• 😀 The first significant gallery showing of photographs in 1910 by Alfred Stieglitz was a milestone in gaining recognition for photography as a legitimate art form.
• 😀 Stieglitz, despite the breakthrough, wanted photography to be appreciated for its own unique qualities, not as a mere imitation of other art forms.
• 😀 The rise of digital photography and platforms like Instagram has further blurred the lines, with some arguing that digital photography lacks the artistic depth of traditional film photography.
• 😀 Art can be defined as the expression of thoughts, feelings, and creativity through visual, auditory, or performative means, which includes photography when done with intention.
• 😀 Not all photographs are considered art, but many can be when the photographer curates and adds intention behind their work, creating something meaningful.
• 😀 Technology, including tools like smartphones and Google Street View, has expanded the possibilities of photography, enabling new forms of artistic expression and creativity.
• 😀 Encouraging young people to use available technology for creative expression is important, as it allows them to explore and share their unique perspectives with the world.

Q & A

Why did Baudelaire in 1859 dismiss photography as art?

Baudelaire dismissed photography as art because he believed it lacked the creativity and skill involved in traditional forms like painting. He considered photographers to be 'wannabe painters' who couldn’t complete their studies, thus reducing photography to a mere mechanical process rather than a form of artistic expression.

What was the main argument against photography as art in the early days?

The main argument was that photography was too literal, as it simply captured reality without the creative process involved in painting or sculpture. Critics believed it was a mechanical and automatic process that required no skill or artistic vision.

What is pictorialism, and how did photographers use it to argue that photography could be art?

Pictorialism was a photographic movement that sought to make photographs appear more like traditional paintings. Photographers used techniques like poor-quality optics and shaky tripods to create soft, dreamlike images that mimicked the painterly qualities of fine art, helping to elevate photography as an artistic medium.

Who were some of the key figures in the pictorialist movement?

One of the key figures in the pictorialist movement was Julia Margaret Cameron, whose portraits featured moody lighting and a soft-focus style that resembled classical paintings. Her work is a prime example of how photographers sought to replicate the aesthetic of traditional art.

How did Alfred Stieglitz contribute to the recognition of photography as art?

Alfred Stieglitz played a pivotal role in gaining recognition for photography as an art form. In 1910, he held a gallery showing for his photographs, marking the first time photography was featured in an art gallery. He argued that photographs could be artistic not just by mimicking paintings but by utilizing the camera’s ability to capture sharp, clear images.

What was the purpose of the Group f/64, and who were its founders?

The Group f/64 was formed in the 1930s by photographers like Ansel Adams, who advocated for photography’s legitimacy as an art form. They promoted the idea that photography should not rely on soft-focus techniques like pictorialism but should focus on sharp, realistic depictions of the world, which they believed was artistic in its own right.

What was the manifesto of Group f/64 about?

The manifesto of Group f/64 argued that photography should be recognized as its own unique form of art, distinct from pictorialism. They believed in capturing sharp, clear images that faithfully represented the scene, asserting that these realistic depictions could be just as artistic as paintings or sculptures.

How has digital technology, particularly Instagram, influenced the debate about photography as art?

Digital technology and platforms like Instagram have democratized photography, allowing more people to create and share images. While some critics dismissed photos shared on social media as non-artistic, others saw it as a new medium for artistic expression. The ease of access to digital tools has made photography a more inclusive art form, expanding the definition of art to include everyday moments.

Can documentation ever be considered art, and if so, how?

Documentation can become art when it is curated or presented with intention. While a simple snapshot may be just a record, when an individual selects moments or edits footage with a clear purpose or narrative, the resulting work can transcend mere documentation and be considered art.

What is the significance of the example where a photographer used Google Street View images to create art?

The example of a photographer using Google Street View images highlights how technology can be leveraged creatively. The photographer, unable to physically go out and capture images, curated and found compelling compositions within automated images, demonstrating that even images not created by the artist can become art through thoughtful observation and selection.