The Portland Metro Photographic News

Survey Results & Commentary by Tom Hubbard, PMPN, July 24, 2009

The problem is that we have grown accustomed to recipes and formulas.  There's no mystery in baking a cake.  Follow the recipe.  A novice can perform even a complex automotive repair satisfactorily if he or she has the proper tools and follows the manual precisely.  If a photographer's exposure reading calls for a setting of f/16 at 1/250 of a second, but the depth of field objective can only be achieved with an aperture setting of f/5.6, then the photograph must be shot at a shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second.  That's a fact -- a photographic formula.  These recipes, formulas and fact-based instructions determine exactly the actions and steps we must take to ensure success.

Then why isn't there a similar formula for producing a fine art photograph?  You know, something like:

"A fine art photograph must meet the following specifications:

• it must be a minimum of 11 inches x14 inches in size
• it must have been taken with at least a 10 megapixel camera
• it must exhibit detail in the brightest highlights and the deepest shadows
• it must be completely in focus
• it must be printed on fine art, 100% cotton paper."

As expected, our PMPN survey of photography industry professionals on the LinkedIn network clearly revealed there is no simple or single definition of a fine art photograph.  Recipes and formulas require precise definitions.  It is this lack of a definable path that causes frustration for those seeking to discover the gates to the fine art world.   The word "subjective" may be over used and even worn out when discussing art, but it is the root of the debate.  Everyone sees art through their own eyes, in different contexts and from their own perspectives, to establish their own (and correct) definitions of fine art.

Given this massive lack of agreement, the entire discussion of what consitutes a fine art print might seem moot. At this point, it's tempting to take the easy route and conclude that there is no answer.  And say "good luck" to anyone wanting to become a photographic artist.

Although nearly every survey respondent agreed that art (let alone fine art photography) is subjective, nearly every professional forged on to provide insights that can contribute guidance and some direction when photographers evaluate their own bodies of photographic work.  After reading scores of replies, there are commonly-held views on what determines when a photograph reaches the level of fine art.  When reading these opinions, it must be remembered that virtually every response voiced the opinion that no single criterion determined a photograph's worthiness to be classified as fine art.  In truth, it was the consensus that a mix of attributes ultimately work together to regard a photograph as fine art.

There were, of course, those who began their response with some artful humor.

• "When the price is more than $5 per square inch."
• "It's easy -- a photograph is fine art when it's a black-and-white nude."
• "Like all art, a photo is considered fine art when it is taken by someone from the New York-Boston-Washington D.C. area ..."
• "When either you die, or it sells!"

But, without exception, the question was taken seriously and the answers provided were heartfelt and conveyed each person's deep love of and commitment to art.

It became apparent from the survey that fine art was being viewed from three different perspectives:

• Commercial fine art.  Where fine art can be objectively measured in sales or by declaration.  Sales are the "tangible benchmark" as expressed by Brian Steenstry.  Or as Duke Windsor suggested, "When an artists paints a new work it's called a painting.  But when a patron acquires it and hangs it on their wall, it is then called "Art".  It takes someone else to give it it's new life."  Michael Borders suggests that fine art is a declaration: "It's the movers and shakers of the industry who make that call.  If they find an image to be "Fine Art", then it is so."
  
  
• The "pure" practitioners of the photographic art who are only seeking an outlet for personal artistic expression.  For these photographers, fine art can only be determined by the individual photographer and whether the image captures his/her vision.  Picture sales, in this case, are either unimportant or totally irrelevant. Brian Steenstry expressed it this way: "My heart just can't take the idea that money is the real motivation for art.  We are all motivated by money.  Artists are still motivated by art.  If Da Vinci won the lottery, do you think he would have quit painting?  Pure art is a unique cosmic truth arrived at by the artists and communicated to others."
  
  
• The photo community-oriented and "not necessarily" commercial photographic artist (professional or amateur).  Here, success and fine art are measured by the impact their work has on others as revealed in the opinions they share -- a validation by peers.

Fine art is in the eye of the beholder

Without a doubt, the idea that fine art is in the eye of the beholder was the most often expressed opinion.   The vast majority of respondents listed this test as the most significant "fine art" benchmark.  A photograph becomes fine art when viewers of the image say, "It's fine art."

Although expressed in their own personal ways, here are a few of the comments made in our survey:

• "Art/photography is anyhow a personal and subjective endeavor, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder." - Joo-chaing Lee (http://www.socialislandgirl.blogspot.com)
• "I think that a photograph is fine art if someone values it as such." - Billy Newman
• "Art happens when you see beauty in a print, or your emotions get tweaked when you look at it.  To me, artfulness is defined by the viewer, not the creator." - John Huegel
• "In my humble opinion, the fine art of photography lives in the eye of the viewer.  I have many photographs that I think are the best of my collection, and other people could not care less about them.  But they speak to me at a depth that I have no explanation for.  Then there are other photos that other people see such wonders in that I don't see." - Daniel Posner, Imaging-A-Nation, Tzfat, Israel
• "... art is perceived differently by everyone.  An important trait is to please an audience." - Vishal Parvatkar
• "The key is to let the world, not art experts, judge your work." - Stephen Day
• "The reality is that the real judge of 'fine art', I feel, is the individual beholder, not the creator.  And in the (commercial fine art) marketplace, it's whatever the market will sustain." - Joe Konz

For new photographic artists seeking fine art direction, the message may, in part, be, Get your work in front of a variety of viewers, sit back and listen to their impressions and comments.  If the label of "fine art" is important to the photographer, then the majority opinion will provide a reasonable "fine art" assessment of his/her work.

At this point, the replies became more pointed and emphasized characteristics that they believed are shared by fine art photographs in varying degrees.

1. A fine art photograph elicits an emotional response.

The characteristic most valued by responders is a photograph's ability to move a viewer and produce an emotional response.

• "In my opinion, a photograph starts to be fine art when you stop seeing it as information and begin to feel it." - Bartek Sniecinski, www.artB.com.pl
• "... when a photograph transcends the point of being a commodity and becomes instead an experience.  When the image is for visual enjoyment rather than utility." - Glenn Hastings
• "It's the impression you get by looking at it.  It's the question you can't answer." - Matij Lackovic
• "A photograph becomes "art" when it goes beyond the realm of objective content and becomes a means of communicating a unique feeling." - Carol Fonde
• "First, does the photo grab you when you see it?  Does it move you in one way or another?  Or does it tell a story.?" - Bob Wentzel
  
• "It is art when it moves me.  A photo, like anything else, becomes fine art when it moves you.  I am reminded of Robert Persig: 'What is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good? Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?'"  - Brian Steenstry
• "I think fine art photography is any photograph that tells a story that captivates its audience." - Jane Haas
• "To me, any object that transcends itself in communicating becomes fine art." - Ben Zvan
• "It becomes fine art when the image is exposed to people and moves them - or some of them - emotionally." - Dan Holmes
• "(Fine art) should be more of measure of how it affects the viewer." - Alex Suarez
• "Art on the other hand is anything that makes the observer feel connected and may or may not involve the blessing of a museum." - Vicki Smith, http://photos.ducati.net
  

Observing and listening as viewers verbalize their reactions to your images is a measuring and learning tool for understanding the "emotional impact" of your work.  Again, this is by no means an ultimate test of photographic art, but it does provide the useful insights of others.  Of course, you won't have to ask art critics.  Their emotional responses are freely and quite publicly provided.

2.  A fine art photograph exhibits a high degree of technical competency.

Although it was mentioned several times that some technically poor photographs have, over time, become to be recognized as "fine art", it was the general consensus that fine art photographs exude technical photographic excellence.  The renowned photographers like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston were cited time and again for the contribution that mastery of the craft provided their images.

• "A photograph can be considered art by any viewer.  A photograph is, in my opinion, fine art when the "artist" or photographer has mastered the craft to such an extent that the photograph is or is very nearly flawless." - Nic Nichols
• "... aesthetic, form, line, tone, shape, composition, coupled with technical skill to see it through to the final object (print)." - Richard Coda (http://www.rcodaphotography.com)

3. A fine art photograph is timeless and leaves a lasting impression

Although this characteristic is difficult to determine in a newly-created photograph, the questions can still be asked, "Will this photograph be as meaningful 20 years from now as it is today?"  "Is there a universal and time transcending theme being conveyed?"  "Will I remember this photograph?"

• "Truly great photographs stay etched in our memories. .. it's trans-cultural ... it's timeless" - Yudit Llany
• "Maybe it's (the determination of a fine art photograph) created by society over time." - Mark Gambol
  

4. A fine art photograph reflects the passion of its creator.

There is a sense that fine art photography conveys the energy and commitment of the photographer.  And that the fine art image visibly reflects the artist's true emotions and passions.

• "I want the artist (photographer) to be passionate about the scene and convey that passion to me." - Ed Schlotzhuer
• "Passion is the key element.  If the photographer has a passion for the work and cannot go a day without shooting, it's almost certain that that photographer creates fine art." - Nancy Bryant
• "... there is only one requirement, and that is the personal involvement and personal investment in the photo.  All the rest is aesthetics and personal taste." - Boaz Zippor
• "The fine art photographer will approach his craft with both skill and emotion.  If that emotion is somehow communicated to the viewer, then he has transcended beyond merely a skillful photographer into the artist he so desires to be." - Stephen Day
• "(Fine art photographs) pull me into them and tell me more about the scene than just what the camera saw; they also tell me what the photographer saw." - Ben Zvan
  

So, what's the answer?  When is a photograph fine art?  There is no clear cut answer -- only educated and scholarly opinions.  And even the professionals who answered this survey often questioned their own judgement.  Many had exactly the same experiences in their career.  Images that they considered to be fine art, found no public acceptance.  While images in their collections that the photographers themselves deemed less than "fine art" were admired and highly valued by galleries and their patrons.

Perhaps the real value of attempting to define a fine art photograph is in the energy and passions aroused by the conversation itself.  As seen in the survey responses, not everyone agrees, but everyone does want to share their views and explore the deeper meaning of art in today's society.  In these discussions we all grow and our appreciation of the photographic art is enhanced -- from amateur to pro.  And that's a good thing.

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Note: PMPN thanks all those professional members of the LinkedIn network who participated in this survey from its numerous photographic discussion groups.  We weren't able to include quotes from everyone, but it was the contributions from everyone that made this article possible.  It has been especially rewarding to observe the discussion continuing on LinkedIn and now in the comments that have appeared this week in the Portland Metro Photographic News.  The conversation continues.