A few weeks back, someone left a pretty negative and harsh comment on a group of my photos and said, “These photographs are not fine art. They are, instead, documents of everyday, banal subjects. Anyone can take these kinds of pictures, with any camera. They are not unique or special. Sorry.”
I didn’t respond, angrily, even though I wanted to.
I’ve heard these same comments, many times before.
This person, whom I had never met, had a strong opinion about what constitutes fine art in photography today.
Fair enough.
To make it as a photographer today, you need to have tough skin. But more importantly, stay true to your own voice and vision. At the end of the day, these two things, voice and vision, are all you’ve got. Hold them close with all the tenacity and truth you know.
Now that I have a bit of distance from this gentleman’s comment and my disgruntled response, here’s a more studied response.
Dear Critic,
I appreciate your feedback on my photographs, and I respect your opinion on what constitutes fine art in photography today. However, I would like to invite you to reconsider your perspective and expand your scope of fine art.
You said that my photographs are not fine art, but rather documents of everyday, banal subjects. You said that anyone can take these kinds of pictures, with any camera. You said that they are not unique or special.
I humbly disagree with you on all these points. First of all, I believe that fine art is not a fixed or objective category, but rather a subjective and dynamic one. Fine art is not defined by the subject matter, the technique, or the medium, but by the intention, the expression, and the interpretation of the artist and the viewer. Fine art is not something that can be measured or judged by universal standards, but something that can be appreciated and enjoyed by diverse and individual tastes.
Secondly, I believe that my photographs are not mere documents of everyday, banal subjects, but rather creative interpretations of everyday, extraordinary subjects. I see beauty and meaning in the ordinary and the mundane, and I try to capture and share that with my camera. I do not take pictures of what I see, but of what I feel and think. I do not aim to reproduce reality, but to create my own reality. I do not follow rules or conventions, but I experiment and explore.
Thirdly, I believe that anyone can take pictures, but not everyone can take these kinds of pictures. It takes more than a camera to make a photograph. It takes a vision, a voice, and a passion. It takes a sense of curiosity, a sense of humor, and a sense of wonder. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of patience, and a lot of courage. It takes a lot of me.
Finally, I believe that my photographs are unique and special because they are mine. They reflect my personality, my style, and my story. They are the result of my choices, my experiences, and my emotions. They are the expression of my creativity, my identity, and my voice. They are not copies or imitations, but originals and innovations.
I hope that you can understand and appreciate my point of view and that you can open your mind and your heart to the diversity and richness of fine art in photography today. I hope that you can see beyond the surface and the obvious, and that you can discover the depth and the hidden. I hope that you can enjoy and celebrate the variety and uniqueness of each photograph and each photographer.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
A humble photographer
Click
Jack
