Digital BW, The Print

Greetings Fellow Digital PrintMakers  (and PiezoHeads)!  (This is cross-pollinated on two lists)

After so much discussion of the finer points of dust, clogs, ink, scanning software and other mundane technical stuff, I think it is time we shift gears into the upper atmosphere where the discussion of "high art" takes place.  Recently there has been fascinating discussion of Gallery Demands, Portfolios and Exhibitions.  

Not everyone on these lists is a "fine art photographer" obviously as some people buy into the whole digital printing world to just print some snaps of the grandkids...and there is nothing wrong with that. 

But as so many of us aspire to raise our images to the highest quality level we can...and perhaps selling price too....we might all be lumped together as "fine art digital printmakers."  

Now enough of the soft and easy get you in the mood wordy stuff...

Here is the real question:  What makes a "Fine Art Portrait"....ahem...."fine art?"

What?  Don't you know?  

Seriously, I was looking over some commercial photography today and saw many other "portraits" of all types (in Vanity Fair for instance) and even in the newspaper.  

What I would like to throw out to the list(s) is an opportunity to spout off on the merits of a "fine art" portrait versus your plain old everyday run of the mill portrait...you know the kind...the ones that fill our own photo albums and chronicle our own childhoods and those of our children and possibly grandchildren. 

I am curious what you all think about this.   I ask this because I see such a wide range of "portraits" and sometimes there are a few that really stick out and grab me.  Perhaps that is what makes me think "fine art."  Something "sticky" about the shot.  

Just to get you guys and gals started, I will throw in a few dastardly opinions...sort of a straw man that you can take apart...or use as a launching pad for your own questionable opinions. :  So here is your chance to wax poetic (loved those haikus), hyper-critical, knowitall, or simply amused (hope someone out there smiles)...or simply spout off the stuff you learned in art/photography school or by reading a book by Ansel or some other more obscure wag.  Whatever your personal spin, see if you can agree or disagree with the following Straw Man (not burning man) and perhaps even add a few points of your own.  I hope you enjoy the "test."  

                 THE STRAW MAN

1.  A Fine Art Portrait must use the finest materials?

2.  A Fine Art Portrait looks like it took more than 5 minutes to make...

3.  A Fine Art Portrait looks like the studio doesn't have cute props or feathered angel wings...

4.  A Fine Art Portrait looks like the subject has had a bad day (scowling at the camera)...

5. A Fine Art Portrait looks like the subject is bored (no smiles here Mr. Photographer)...

6.  A Fine Art Portrait looks like it is "expensive"....

7.  A Fine Art Portrait is definitely/always/must be in glorious Black & White....

8.  A Fine Art Portrait is always of someone...else.

Anyway, that should get you started...

Steadman  (elipsis man)

Tune in tomorrow for the Flip Side..."What About Low Art Portraits"...is it art or spam?  (wink)




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