| Damien Demolder |
| (Tharg the Mighty) |
| 14/06/2008 13:14 |
Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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This week's poll, which you can find on the home page, tackles the question of what you see as the principle purpose of photography.
Assuming we are happy to settle on photography having two main tasks, which do you think is the more important - its ability to record or its channel as a creative medium?
Most of us take pictures for the sake of it, because we enjoy the process. We adjust shutter speeds and add filtration for effect, and we like looking at the results. Others use photography to record what things look like so they can show people who can't experience those things or places, or to show future generations.
There is some cross-over in that shots that record do not have to be completely 'straight', but in general there are two distinct categories.
So, which is more important? Creative shots that we enjoy and that maybe simulate an emotional response, or straight record shots that convey more factual information?
Not an easy one this week, but go scratch your head and give me an answer.
If you want some examples this is what I'd call creative photography and these are record shots - of a certain style! Just examples though, not all encompassing.
Thanks all
damien
| john_g |
| (Pooh-bah Hoo-ha) |
| 14/06/2008 13:27 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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I voted that, to me, the most important aspect of photography is to create rather than just record. Mainly this is because it's the creative side that interests me but also because, when I thought about all the 'record' shots that have stuck in my mind, it's always been the ones that were also creative that have had the biggest impact. I think Selgardo's work is a good example of this.
| beejaybee |
| (Marvin) |
| 14/06/2008 13:56 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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To me, the recording aspect is the raison d'etre. If "art" comes about as a part of the process, So Be It. But I'm not an artist and don't have a clue how to define art, so I simply can't set about "creating" an image. Sometimes the results please me aesthetically, sometimes they don't, even if they're accurate as records.
| Hotblack |
| (Dead Horse Flogger) |
| 14/06/2008 15:03 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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I think they're equal. They both have their place be it photojournalism or art photography.
| Wheelu |
| (member) |
| 14/06/2008 15:01 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Sorry to sit on the fence but there is no single purpose to photography. It can be used to sell, to provide evidence, to jog the memory and for many other purposes.
The way you take a photo should be determined by its eventual usage. If a clear medical record is required for example there won't be much scope for art, but if you are trying to sell something an attractive or even shocking image may be what is required.
I occasionally use a camera in connection with my work and in that situation, for the most part, clarity is essential as the shots are used as records. When I'm out playing I try to be a tad creative, and look for the aesthetically pleasing.
I do enjoy both of these aspects of photography. On the one hand there is pleasure in a job well done, and on the other there is the occasional image that I want to hang upon the wall.
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 14/06/2008 15:10 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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I voted record...
Pure art photographs leave me cold
Portraits, Landscapes and townscapes I put firmly in the record bracket, even though many err towards the arty-farty.
Record shots should have as much attention paid to good design and composition as any other form of photography.
| Footloose |
| (Carpal \'Tunnel) |
| 14/06/2008 15:34 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Recording the scene or event, is probably my main reason (80%) for taking photographs, although I do also take 'Awkward' images with the intention of manipulating them in some way just out of curiosity, or to hone my image-editing skills on, (15%) so when that shot comes along which requires work on it, I can make a better job of it. Finally, there are those times (5%) I'll see something which just cries out to be we-worked in some way, and I will while away many an hour on it, until I get the desired effect. However, I will always present this to people as a manipulated image.
| APchris |
| (veteran) |
| 14/06/2008 16:35 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Hmmm... tricky one. For me, I mainly take pictures for creative puroses and only occasionally take specifically record shots. However, I think utimately the pupose of photography is to record since even creative shots become a record of the period in which they were taken. So I've voted record.
| AlanW |
| () |
| 14/06/2008 17:53 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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It is no accident that the photographer becomes a photographer
any more than the lion tamer becomes a lion tamer. - Dorothea Lange
It's just something I do, and want to do more than anything else.
My mood on any given day determines what and how I photograph,
shooting from the heart rather than the head!
| chris000 |
| (veteran) |
| 14/06/2008 20:34 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:
It's just something I do, and want to do more than anything else
Yes me too. As an amateur with no pretensions or desire to be anything else, the only purpose of my photpgraphy is enjoyment.
| Rhys |
| (Sasquatch) |
| 14/06/2008 21:55 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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I voted both the same - as many folks see either as the answer.
Personally I like to create images for my enjoyment, experiment - more artistic than record shots - but saying that I have lots of record shots of family which I've snapped while I've had my camera in my hands. So I can't really pick one..
| 544ever |
| (newbie) |
| 15/06/2008 18:37 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Hmm - is Cartier Bresson's 'Splashdown' more important to me than an x-ray of a broken leg? Yes, unless of course the broken leg is mine. I think most photographers who do this as a hobby (myself included) would be utterly astounded at the extent record photography is used - ensuring that critical machinery doesn't fail, photographing a supernova, recording crime scenes, etc. However, for me the creative side is still too important to relegate to second place, so I'm firmly attached to the fence.
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 16/06/2008 19:20 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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interestingly I regard Cartier Bresson's work as Record Photography. as he took great pains to record things as they happened, he was the outsider looking in.
That it was great reportage photography there is no doubt,That it has acquired the status of art, there is also no doubt.
but he was simply recording/reporting the times in which he lived.
| 544ever |
| (newbie) |
| 16/06/2008 23:01 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Cartier Bresson as record photography - that is an interesting perspective. I certainly see your point, but I'm not certain I agree: I think old Henri invested a lot of time and effort in the creative side of his craft and would regard his output something beyond record photography. There must be a few not so decisive moments lurking in his negative files which he refused to print because they didn't cut it artistically...?
| IvorETower |
| (Little Buttercup) |
| 17/06/2008 07:40 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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There is no single purpose to photogrpahy. It may have started as a medium to record what was happening but it has now developed (pun intended) into something much larger than that
| AGW |
| () |
| 17/06/2008 08:11 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Surely all a photograph does is create a record (the "negative/raw") of what has been seen or created? The creative side is in the observation/arrangement, the lighting and the timing. There is then a second creative process involved in the final presentaion of the image. The point at which this ends is also a record of the intentions of the creator.
Graeme
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 17/06/2008 10:06 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Cartier Bresson was an extremely fast worker, and came from a painting background. so he obviously had an artists eye.
However Photography and especially reportage Photography was not accepted as art during most of his working life. He like the other Magnum photographers, always had a close eye on the Financial aspect of his profession, as well as maintaining the highest standard of work.
His photography ended at the taking stage... as he used a professional printer to complete his work.
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There must be a few not so decisive moments lurking in his negative files which he refused to print because they didn't cut it artistically...?
Are you suggesting the selection process is a major factor in deciding if a photograph is art.
| 544ever |
| (newbie) |
| 18/06/2008 00:45 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Are you suggesting the selection process is a major factor in deciding if a photograph is art.
Not necessarily in deciding if a photograph is art, but if a photographer only presents us with one image from several because they feel it most decisively captures the moment or portrays the feel of a place most effectively, then there is something beyond simply presenting a record. With great photographs we may decide to call this art, or simply good craftsmanship, but I think it implies a level of creativity.
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 18/06/2008 10:46 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:Quote:
Are you suggesting the selection process is a major factor in deciding if a photograph is art.
Not necessarily in deciding if a photograph is art, but if a photographer only presents us with one image from several because they feel it most decisively captures the moment or portrays the feel of a place most effectively, then there is something beyond simply presenting a record. With great photographs we may decide to call this art, or simply good craftsmanship, but I think it implies a level of creativity.
I would go along with that; in as much where there is human input, beyond the merely repetitious, creativity of some sort is usually involved.
The problem still remains as to where the boundary between artistry and craftsmanship actually falls? If in deed such a boundary even exists for the artist.
The same question would apply to the dividing line between the concepts of record and creative photography.
Perhaps the only "real" distinction is in the perception of the viewer; as a recognisably "artistic" photograph may have been taken for purely record purposes.
Terry
| NorthernNikon |
| (Bulls Hitter) |
| 18/06/2008 11:35 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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The problem still remains as to where the boundary between artistry and craftsmanship actually falls? If in deed such a boundary even exists for the artist.
I'm not sure where I first saw this but ...
Quote:
A Labourer works with their hands,
A Craftsman works with their hands and their head but
An Artist works with their hands, their head and their heart
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 18/06/2008 14:09 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:Quote:
The problem still remains as to where the boundary between artistry and craftsmanship actually falls? If in deed such a boundary even exists for the artist.
I'm not sure where I first saw this but ...Quote:
A Labourer works with their hands,
A Craftsman works with their hands and their head but
An Artist works with their hands, their head and their heart
A nice sound bite Probably written by an aesthete or a politician to justify the superiority of the educated classes.
It establishes as a fact the belief that...
a labourer can't think nor appreciate the finer things.
A craftsman has no inner feelings nor sense of artistic beauty.
That an artist is the only complete person.
It makes distinctions and assumptions, where none are needed, about the attributes of the people engaged in the various occupations.
It makes no sense of the Labourer who is also a recognised artist. Or the artist who feeds himself by labouring.
An individual functions in many worlds, and is not described by any one of them.
| ermintrude |
| (Hinkypuff) |
| 18/06/2008 14:24 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:
A nice sound bite Probably written by an aesthete or a politician to justify the superiority of the educated classes.
It establishes as a fact the belief that...
a labourer can't think nor appreciate the finer things.
A craftsman has no inner feelings nor sense of artistic beauty.
That an artist is the only complete person.
It makes distinctions and assumptions, where none are needed, about the attributes of the people engaged in the various occupations.
It makes no sense of the Labourer who is also a recognised artist. Or the artist who feeds himself by labouring.
An individual functions in many worlds, and is not described by any one of them.
Robert, is that you?
| AGW |
| () |
| 18/06/2008 19:34 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Not enough numbers....
Graeme
| Bawbee |
| (Out on a whim) |
| 18/06/2008 20:24 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:Quote:
A nice sound bite Probably written by an aesthete or a politician to justify the superiority of the educated classes.
It establishes as a fact the belief that...
a labourer can't think nor appreciate the finer things.
A craftsman has no inner feelings nor sense of artistic beauty.
That an artist is the only complete person.
It makes distinctions and assumptions, where none are needed, about the attributes of the people engaged in the various occupations.
It makes no sense of the Labourer who is also a recognised artist. Or the artist who feeds himself by labouring.
An individual functions in many worlds, and is not described by any one of them.
Robert, is that you?
Snot me, I don't think like that.
Robert
x
| NorthernNikon |
| (Bulls Hitter) |
| 19/06/2008 23:32 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:Quote:Quote:
The problem still remains as to where the boundary between artistry and craftsmanship actually falls? If in deed such a boundary even exists for the artist.
I'm not sure where I first saw this but ...Quote:
A Labourer works with their hands,
A Craftsman works with their hands and their head but
An Artist works with their hands, their head and their heart
A nice sound bite Probably written by an aesthete or a politician to justify the superiority of the educated classes.
It establishes as a fact the belief that...
a labourer can't think nor appreciate the finer things.
A craftsman has no inner feelings nor sense of artistic beauty.
That an artist is the only complete person.
It makes distinctions and assumptions, where none are needed, about the attributes of the people engaged in the various occupations.
It makes no sense of the Labourer who is also a recognised artist. Or the artist who feeds himself by labouring.
An individual functions in many worlds, and is not described by any one of them.
Talk about reading more into something than is there. I've no idea where you think that it precludes a labourer from thinking, but labouring requires little thought and it is the work the prose is referring to. What the labourer does in his own time is irrelevent.
| Benchista |
| (Wich Tyler) |
| 20/06/2008 09:17 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Talk about reading more into something than is there. I've no idea where you think that it precludes a labourer from thinking, but labouring requires little thought and it is the work the prose is referring to. What the labourer does in his own time is irrelevent.
It's an example of PC going mad, I think...
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 21/06/2008 09:59 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:
The problem still remains as to where the boundary between artistry and craftsmanship actually falls? If in deed such a boundary even exists for the artist.
I'm not sure where I first saw this but ...Quote:
A Labourer works with their hands,
A Craftsman works with their hands and their head but
An Artist works with their hands, their head and their heart
A nice sound bite Probably written by an aesthete or a politician to justify the superiority of the educated classes.
It establishes as a fact the belief that...
a labourer can't think nor appreciate the finer things.
A craftsman has no inner feelings nor sense of artistic beauty.
That an artist is the only complete person.
It makes distinctions and assumptions, where none are needed, about the attributes of the people engaged in the various occupations.
It makes no sense of the Labourer who is also a recognised artist. Or the artist who feeds himself by labouring.
An individual functions in many worlds, and is not described by any one of them.
Talk about reading more into something than is there. I've no idea where you think that it precludes a labourer from thinking, but labouring requires little thought and it is the work the prose is referring to. What the labourer does in his own time is irrelevent.
There are two issues here ... the first is the sound bite you quoted .. this makes no mention of work at all, but concerns itself with three types of people.
In the second, I was pointing out that ones daily work has nothing to do with ones artistic or any other relevant ability.
When you look at the work submitted to exhibitions or work printed in the AP and elsewhere there is no perceivable link between a man's job, nor his education nor any other measure which might or might not affect his artistic worth or ability.
These are all non issues, and certainly nothing to do with PC, which as a term,is usually expressed in a negative way to reinforce personal prejudices or accepted "unquestionable Facts"
| ermintrude |
| (Hinkypuff) |
| 21/06/2008 10:35 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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There are two issues here ...
These are all non issues,
What exactly are you trying to say
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 21/06/2008 16:16 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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we have a prize winner
You got it in one
| NorthernNikon |
| (Bulls Hitter) |
| 21/06/2008 16:49 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:
There are two issues here ... the first is the sound bite you quoted .. this makes no mention of work at all, but concerns itself with three types of people.
Errr ...
Quote:
A Labourer works with their hands,
A Craftsman works with their hands and their head but
An Artist works with their hands, their head and their heart
If you're going to disagree with something at least have the courtesy to first actually read what you're disagreeing with.
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In the second, I was pointing out that ones daily work has nothing to do with ones artistic or any other relevant ability.
Point. Missed. Completely.
It's an analogy, therefore you should treat it as such. It differentiates between the labourer, the craftsman and the artist not as individuals but as concepts. Anyone with half a brain and the ability to transfer an idea to another concept would find it quite easy to see how it might apply to photography. I'm not saying that it's right, but if you're going to disagree, at least disagree with the point being made and not some random unassociated subjective interpretation of yours.
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 21/06/2008 22:50 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Sorry.... No prize
| Benchista |
| (Wich Tyler) |
| 21/06/2008 23:06 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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These are all non issues, and certainly nothing to do with PC, which as a term,is usually expressed in a negative way to reinforce personal prejudices or accepted "unquestionable Facts"
What you wrote was absolutely EVERYTHING to do with PC, and certainly betrays your prejudices - me, I'm just prejudiced against the prejudiced.
| NorthernNikon |
| (Bulls Hitter) |
| 21/06/2008 23:09 |
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Re: Poll - The Purpose of Photography
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Quote:
Sorry.... No prize
