Photography = selection, composition and light; sliced out of space and time; usually within a fraction of a second.
“Some people’s photography is an art. Not mine. Art is a dirty word in photography. All this fine art crap is killing it already.” Helmut Newton
People seem to desire truth based on unembellished physical evidence. A witness with a camera appears to provide such evidence. Yet, people also possess appetites for imagination. So the best photography seems to ride the flux of real experience and the flow of imagination. The photograph seems burdened with anxieties over authenticity and verification; while blessed with imaginative discovery.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good, George!
Concise, interesting, thought provoking.
Mr. Helmut Newton’s powerful aversion to using the word “art” regarding one’s work in photography is troubling to me, and I am not certain as to why. Not being a photographer, maybe I simply “don’t get it.” He offers no inclination as how to refer to this occupation, and why “art” is a dirty word in his (their?) ranks.
Simply duplicating a random image is certainly not an art. However, is there an art to how one perceives, then presents an image? Is there an art to the ability of one recognizing texture, composition, perspective and arrangement? Is there an art as to knowing what to disregard? Is there an art to how much light to use, from what direction, and from what source? Is there an art in determining what would create more of an impact…..color or B+W? What of shutter speed? What of timing? What of determination?
One could go on, but from my viewpoint, the combination of these abilities requires more than a left brained technical ability. If the only interest the person behind the lens is concerned with amounts to nothing more than a life-like two dimensional image….and no more…..the image will be sterile. The backround will have no matter in the substance of the image; nor will anything else thus mentioned. We have computers to do this now, so take the human element out, and then no…….there is no art.
But true art comes from the human hand, and not from a machine. What we highly value historically comes from trained hands….and disciplined minds. The camera is a machine, but no more a machine than a paintbrush, a musical instrument, or a hammer (for wood; stone or metal.) It takes the human hand to dictate the use of these tools, and a trained and disciplined mind to control them.
A machine cannot control anything.
So…….if someone chooses to call their images art, I accept that. I may not like…..or appreciate……the image, but I would not deny it as an artform.
It is fine that Helmut does not wish to go there. After thinking about this, I guess what is upsetting is that he wishes to detract from other photographers by thrusting his left brained opinion upon us. He then offers nothing in return……..it is selfish. Why would anyone now wish to view his work……assuming he is an accomplished photographer to make such a self assertive statement?
Lastly, if Mr. Newton can actually define “what is art?”…..get in line, as there are a million others who have stated, are stating, and will state their opinion of “art” as well.
…..Dan Nauman