Is Photography Art?

Many art leagues and art galleries grapple with whether photography is considered art. They often leave art off the list of art accepted into their juried shows and think of photography in terms of a medium to use to record and submit their work. Most museums, however, have no qualms about accepting photography as art. Some of the most sought-after exhibits are by famous photographers.

Of course, photography is art. It is creative. It follows the same principles of line, form, color, and composition as art; therefore, it can be judged by the same criteria. The question is not whether photography is art, but what makes photography art? Is your shot of your grandchild art?  Maybe, maybe not. Here are some criteria when looking at photography as fine art.

1. Subject matter. Often the actual subject matter doesn't make a photograph art or not art. It's what the photographer has done with the subject matter that makes the difference. Basically, any subject matter can be considered art as long as the way the photographer handled it moves the viewer in some way.

2. The composition of a photograph often turns a snapshot into a piece of art. If the photographer takes pictures with the subject plopped into the middle of the frame, where is the artistic interest? However, if the photographer poses the subject in the lower right hand corner of the frame with the moon shining down on the subject, the photographer has created lots of artistic interest.

3. Another factor that can turn a snapshot into a piece of art is the right exposure. Photographers often create this with emotional lighting, or by setting their picture at sunrise or sunset; so there is more to it than the mere glare of bright sunlight.  

4. Color or lack of color can also determine if a photograph makes an artistic impression. In many photographs the use of color makes the difference.

Photography as art usually stems from the creative vision of the photographer. If the photographer intends to capture a moment in time to document a birthday party or Christmas morning, that photographer will probably create a wonderful photo album to remember that day, but he/she probably won't consider their photography art or even care if anyone else does. The same holds true for photojournalists and commercial photographers. Their photography is a means to an end. However, the photographer of fine art considers the camera in the same manner as a painter considers his brush. Essentially the fine art photographer creates art by painting with his camera. As a result, there is no question of whether photography can be art.