While sorting through some old notes I had taken on photography over the years, I began to wonder: What if we used the CCC Forums to inspire one another in our pursuit of art?
Here's my proposition: When one of us comes across an inspiring thought--either one from something we've read or heard, or from our own musings--we post it to this forum and ask others think about it and respond, if moved to do so.
I'll start things off with something from Susan Sontag and her book On Photography:
"There can be--and should be--art in every photo, no matter how mundane the subject. Add something--anything--of yourself to the image."
Gerry
After I returned from my recent London trip, I thought about the photos I took. I now realize they fell into 3 categories. First, photos to document places visited and activities. Second, images I imagined might be worth considering for Camera Club review and entry in a competition. Third, study photos - largely taken in art museums or sculpture halls - when I saw an interesting composition, colors, patterns etc that I might find worth assessing for and considering possibly useful in my own photo work. Category 2, yes definitely should have an art angle. Category 1, probably, in case later on I decide that a photo warrants Club consideration or just for practice. Category 3, not necessary, even poor photos can capture what I wanted to be reminded about. Bruce.
I remember reading Susan Sontag, and the quote reminds me of a robust and lengthy conversation that I heard as a child about the latest and shocking exhibit at the MOMA: a toilet, which I believe had nothing done to it other than (perhaps) being set on a pedestal and placed in the museum. The question was: what does it mean to "add something of yourself"? For photographers, the mere selection of a frame and content could be said to be adding something of oneself. For the toilet, the argument by some was that the mere selection of the toilet and decision to see it as art was the artist's contribution to the making of art. For others, they argued that one had to actually *change* the toilet in some way in order for it to be deemed art. I'm agnostic on this question, as I can see both sides. Would love to know what you all think.
As I began to read your comment, Tanya, I thought "just choosing the toilet, alone" would qualify as adding something of yourself, so I was glad to see that others had thought the same thing. So I agree that just the choice of a subject (which contains within itself the framing) can very much be part of the art. The choice of perspective and lighting, of course, is also a big part of the artist contribution. And now, we have wondrous editing tools that allow us to further express our creativity.
Yes, I have seen those wondrous editing tools at work during the sessions I've been able to attend! I'm a complete novice at any electronic post-production (meaning I haven't yet begun to learn or use either Lightroom or Photoshop). I hope to begin learning a little this coming year. Despite this handicap, I've decided to be brave and, time permitting, hope to begin sharing photos for the reviews ... and will look forward to your and others feedback! Thank you for leading a great camera club and making this opportunity available!
Thanks, Tanya. There are many excellent online tutorials on Lightroom and Photoshop, so learning the basics would take only a committment to working through a class on each and then polishing your skills with lots of suggestions and one-on-one help from your fellow clubbers. I'm happy you'll be diving into the photo reviews. They really are very helpful.
Gerry
I agree that the photographer's choice of subject (even if it is a toilet!) is a key way of adding oneself to a photo. Each person's world view is formed through a lifetime of experiences that influence what we may see as the appropriate photographic subject, framing, etc.
The mention of toilets and the idea of changing a subject to "create art" made me think of a 2016 visit to The Guggenheim in NYC, where I saw Maurizio Cattelan's piece,"America." It's a fully functional toilet cast in 18-karat gold, offering satirical commentary on our society. So here is a subject presented as art that HAS been changed from its original form.
I'm relatively new to photography, so I wonder if any club members have specific/favorite approaches to change a subject and, in that photographer's eyes, help to create the art of the photo? I think of approaches like perspective, framing, lighting, post-processing. . . . but are there other approaches/techniques, as well?