Photography: An Extension or a Pure Art Form?
Is photography an extension of something else you are interested in, or is it the main interest? Many might enjoy travels, flowers, sports, food, or people. Would one need to stop all these interests and just pursue pure photography without them?
For me, the answer is a bit of both. Photography is often an extension of other interests, and it can be its own unique interest. I started photography to document my travels, but later I learned to love it on its own and explored various types of photography, culminating in my decision to go to school to study it.
Photography is inherently about capturing something, so you are always photographing something, even if it's as simple as documenting a meal. Whether you realize it or not, you are engaging in a form of food photography when you capture what's on your plate.
Photography tends to improve when you are passionate about the subject. If you are not genuinely invested in the subject, it often translates into poor results. This is why the best photographs of men are often taken by women and vice versa. In my experience, the challenge lies in capturing the essence of something, and this is why I pursued a career in photography.
Photography as a Broad Interest
Photography has been a vital part of my life, and I never considered it a specialized field. Over the years, I have photographed a wide range of subjects. I have a background in commercial photography and even ran my own studio for 16 years, which I called a "general practice" because I was not and did not wish to be specialized. I rarely turned down an assignment, and I even accepted a few that I later regretted taking, but I made the best of it. That's just part of the job.
From a hobby perspective, I still explore all areas of photography. It's hard for me to imagine anything that wouldn't interest me enough to photograph it, whether indoors or outdoors, day or night. My approach has always been to take on a wide range of subjects and to capture them in the best light possible.
Pure Photography: An Intriguing Concept
The idea of "pure photography" is fascinating, but it is quite challenging to define. Music offers a good analogy: some music is programmatic, inspired by something else, while other music is absolute, for its own sake. In photography, the concept of purity would be about capturing an image for its own aesthetic and technical beauty.
It is difficult to imagine what "pure photography" would look like because it often involves capturing something you are interested in, even if it's not inherently artistic. For example, while making a living through photography, you may need to make pictures to make money. Your interest or lack thereof in your subjects matters less than the quality of the image.
Many people wonder why they should photograph subjects unless they are actively interested in them. However, there's a lot more to it than just interest. The challenge of taking a great photograph, regardless of the subject, is part of the artistry.
Photography has evolved significantly with the advent of digital technology, giving us more tools and better results. Digital photography has greatly enhanced our ability to capture images under a wide range of conditions. Some photographers are proud of their ability to get the picture under less than optimum conditions with cameras not traditionally thought of as suitable for the task.
The concept of "pure photography" is intriguing, as it challenges us to think about the fundamental purpose of the art form. Is photography about the technique and composition, or is it about capturing a moment or a scene?
Conclusion
Photography, whether as an extension of your interests or as a pure art form, is a continuously evolving field. What matters most is your passion and your pursuit of excellence in capturing the essence of your subjects. Whether you document a travel experience, capture a flower, or cook a meal, your passion will shine through.
If you have any thoughts on this topic or have experiences to share, I would love to hear from you. Let's continue the conversation and explore the possibilities of photography.