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11/13/2006 11:23:04 AM · #1 |
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11/13/2006 11:26:36 AM · #2 |
Yup!
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11/13/2006 11:57:51 AM · #3 |
This is always an interesting read. It's been said, in so many words, many times before.
It has a shortcoming though. It doesn't account for the 'photographer' who has no desire to be in the 'non-genre' crowd. There are MANY photographers who wish to sell their work to clientele who expect to see 'genre' work. Portrait and stock photographers are just two examples who work in this arena. A lot of the 'fine art' photographers I know who make their living at photography still have to support themselves with the 'other' stuff. The relationship between fine art and salability is an inverse one.
I believe that Mike Johntson is right if one's primary objective is fine art. I disagree with this approach for anyone who is interested in making a living at photography.
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11/13/2006 12:40:18 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
This is always an interesting read. It's been said, in so many words, many times before.
It has a shortcoming though. It doesn't account for the 'photographer' who has no desire to be in the 'non-genre' crowd. There are MANY photographers who wish to sell their work to clientele who expect to see 'genre' work. Portrait and stock photographers are just two examples who work in this arena. A lot of the 'fine art' photographers I know who make their living at photography still have to support themselves with the 'other' stuff. The relationship between fine art and salability is an inverse one.
I believe that Mike Johntson is right if one's primary objective is fine art. I disagree with this approach for anyone who is interested in making a living at photography. |
True. Although would you say that those that are making the most in portrait or stock photographers are shooting genre work, or redefining the genre ?
I don't think the idea of aiming for originality is confined to just 'fine art' photography. The great stock & portrait photographers are also doing original, different work, marked with their own style.
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11/13/2006 01:16:22 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
True. Although would you say that those that are making the most in portrait or stock photographers are shooting genre work, or redefining the genre ?
I don't think the idea of aiming for originality is confined to just 'fine art' photography. The great stock & portrait photographers are also doing original, different work, marked with their own style. |
Absolutely.
I believe they do begin by learning how to produce the 'norm' and then they swing into their own 'genre'. If they are successful in redefining the norm, they will do very well. I see a LOT of new norms in portraiture and wedding photography coming around these days. Those people should start by learning how to effectively do what is already being done though. Mike suggested 'abandoning' this, which IMO is bad advice in most cases.
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11/13/2006 01:19:05 PM · #6 |
I would say that successful professional photographers succeed because they give the client what the client wants. Often that is "genre images" and those images are not necessarily a reflection of the photographer's interests, skill, personal vision.
The best professional photographers also pursue their own work that is purely their own vision and style. I would have to say that it is the goal of most, if not all, professional photographers to be recognized for their personal style and vision as shown in their personal work and to then be hired to produce work in that style for clients.
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11/13/2006 01:27:49 PM · #7 |
| i think that every now and then, some people are able to find success without mastering the foundations of their art. however, it is even more rare that these 'instant successes' find longevity without coming back to basics. that's why it pays to be your own harshest critic, as opposed to simply listening to friends, family, and others with no vested interest in the arts tell you how great you are. i think this falls in line with "you can't really break the rules until you learn what the rules are." |
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11/13/2006 02:07:48 PM · #8 |
| I just watched Art School Confidential. Just watch and learn. The sad thing is that the way art school and the art world in general are depicted, is a lot closer to the truth than you might think. |
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11/13/2006 09:42:58 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by skiprow:
i think that every now and then, some people are able to find success without mastering the foundations of their art. however, it is even more rare that these 'instant successes' find longevity without coming back to basics. |
Agreed. Working in the 'known' realm of photography is where these strengths are built.
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