Digital BW, The Print

At 10:05 PM 5/1/03 +0000, you wrote:

> > I didn't mean to suggest that a photojournalist couldn't be an
>artist.
> > Rather the function of photojournalism puts an additional
>constraint on
> > their output...requiring image fidelity...a requirement that
>doesn't seem to
> > be a necessary constraint for other art forms...which seem to be
>to be about
> > the artist's message and their ability to communicate that message.
> >
> >
> > Robert
>
>If I may add my two-cents worth: IMO not only is 'camera image
>fidelity' not relevant if you are offering your work as art, one
>could argue that it is actualy detrimental in terms of our
>acceptance among other artists, dealers, and the public. I once had
>an interesting exchange with a painter who opened my eyes to this
>attitude. I asked if she thought it appropriate that photography was
>still struggling for recognition and value as an art form; her
>answer was, in short, yes; because for the most part photographers
>don't 'create' their images, they walk around until they find
>something interesting, and then record it. So to the extent that we
>insist on 'camera image fidelity' we are doing ourselves a
>disservice-the faster we can achieve a disconnect between reality
>and our finished art, the better of we are. The more imagination and
>creativity we excercise along the way, the better of we are. From
>that point of view digital imaging is the best thing that could have
>happened to us. Perhaps soon the viewers will stop asking things
>like 'Where was that' and 'Is that for real?' and simply consider an
>image on its own merits.
>
>  Of course, accepting this viewpoint depends to a great extent on
>having the sheer gall to call yourself an artist. I've noticed that
>most photographers are quite uncomfortable with that, they seem to
>feel it's pretentious and egotistical. But that's a whole 'nother
>discussion, yes?
>
>Steve Karafyllakis
>
>Steve,

>Do you really think photographers should strive to measure up to the 
>public perception of the medium and art?  Do you  really believe 
>imagination and creativity in any medium, not just photography, is 
>somehow  measured by the extent that an artist alters conventional sensory 
>perceptions?  I should just grab my Holga camera, get some IR film, a 
>hand-full of PS plug-ins, rough watercolor paper, and by god I'm doing 
>art!  Oh yea, need to hire a nude model - that's Real Art.


AZ









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