Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO ART BASED PHOTOGRAPHY

Understanding and identifying Photography GenresThere are many different ways of categorising photography.

Familiar groupings might be Reportage, social documentary, Fashion, Sport, Wildlife, Landscape, Portrait, Snapshot, Photojournalism, Scientific…These categories may cross over and images are not always easy to ‘pigeon hole’.

A highly complex relationship with photography has evolved within our culture. This is particularly evident within the relationship of Art and Photography.

Learning to see in a different tone of voice

VISUAL ELEMENTS

The information that we see: Colour, Pattern, Line, Shape, Form, Space, Tone, Texture

COMPOSITIONContrast, Harmony, Balance, leading the eye, Viewpoints

The rule of thirdsThe Golden Section

PERSONAL, CONTEXTUAL AND CONCEPTUAL VALUEThe viewer’s perspective

How do you as a viewer connect with the photo? What is the role / purpose / emotional impact of the image? (Does it amaze, educate, amuse, shock, challenge, provoke…?)

How important is the subject matter to you?

Where are you viewing the image? Where / how are you meant to see it? (Consider scale, environment, quality, period in time etc…)

What knowledge / experience / connections / ‘baggage’ do you bring to the work? Are you intellectually or creatively ‘rewarded’ by looking at it?

Is the success of the image dependent on an awareness of other images / information?

Are you aware of the photographer’s intentions?

PERSONAL, CONTEXTUAL AND CONCEPTUAL VALUEThe artist’s perspective

What is the point in creating photos? – An innate urge to be creative, to respond to beauty, to record for prosperity, to document, to share, to celebrate, to commemorate, to express, to observe, to question, to create a legacy…

and what factors may influence your success?

Through good timing / being in the right place at the right timeThrough creating work with an ‘aesthetic’ value / the manipulation of the production processThrough the context / concept of the work / the message portrayed /the response provokedThrough producing a ‘project’ – a set of images / a body of work Through providing a narrativeThrough the process of discovery / investigationThrough relying on the viewers knowledge / previous experiences / preconceptions