Art-
so went the argument- requires the workings of the hand, in service to the
artist’s imagination; it is not a merely literal record of reality. As long as
photographers were using the camera to create pictures that imitated the canons
and themes of the fine arts, the medium could go only so far in establishing
its claim. To demonstrate that photography was an art, photographers must
overcome the mechanical nature of the medium and exhibit the photographic print
as a handmade object (Orvell, 83-84).
The use of angels, lighting, and color
are major contributors to the surreal feeling some photographers want to give
viewers and critics alike. Pictures were first used to depict scenes of
everyday reality, but now are becoming more popular in staging realms of
bizarre imagery and fantasy (Olsen, 1). Similarly, art requires the use of the
same techniques except in a different manner. Painters must utilize various
shades of color (their use of creating “light”) in order to obtain a three-
dimensional ambiance to their picture. Additionally, angels are essential to
creating depth and color provides a mix of emotions to audiences. For example,
dark tints of color give off a sense of evil or depression as opposed to bright
colors which give off a sense of happiness or lightheartedness. Pictures demand
corresponding attention of the eye when taking a photograph.
To encourage
people that photography should be considered art, photographers would
experiment in more ways than one to emphasize their views concerning the
controversy. Photographers would use gum- bichromate to soften the surface of a
print, or tone a picture that resulted in a sliver or golden hue. Certain
pictures were purposefully taken to depict a dreamy, soft- focused view. The surfaces
of negatives were occasionally scratched in order to look like an engraving had
been etched onto the picture. Photographers believed this revealed “the
artist’s hand at work” (Orvell, 84).
Works Cited
Beckman, Tad. “Photography as Art.” HMC. Harvey Mudd College, 24 Nov. 2004. Web. 26 Sep. 2012.
Olsen, Chuck. “American Photography- A Century of
Images: Art.” KNPB. Kodak, CPB, PBS,
National Endowment for the Arts, The
Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and the George
Gun Foundation. Web. 26 Sep. 2012.
Orvell, Miles. American
Photography. Oxford: Oxford University Press,
2003. Print.
The New
Webster’s Library of Practical Information. New York: Lexicon
Publications, Inc., 1990. Print.
Thripp, Richard. “10 Reasons Why Photography Sucks
and Isn’t an Art Form.” Thripp Photography. Richard Thripp, 20
June 2008. Web. 26 Sep. 2012.
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