After years of friends and family encouraging me to sell my pictures, I started searching the internet for information about fine art photography. I asked questions like: “Since when did photography become fine art? Is photography considered an art form? What is photographic art?“ This is what I found.
A picture is a poem without words.
HORACE
Anything that Moves You is Art
Art is a form of communication. Paintings, photography, music, and sculpture all have the power to communicate a message and inspire feelings like hope, sadness, joy, love, and loss. Art, like emotion, is messy. Creating a clear-cut definition for art is impossible. Does a piece make you feel something? Do you find it aesthetically pleasing? It is art.
The Evolution of Fine Art Photography
Recent technological advances have enabled photographers of all ages and abilities to compose and edit images to convey emotion. When a photograph moves you, transports you to a faraway place, or shifts you to a new state of mind, photography transforms into art. Fine art photographers can use lighting, creative angles, editing software, a variety of lenses, depth of field, rare occurrences, patterns, film, timing, and colors to turn photography into art.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.
Aristotle
My Fine Art Photography Journey
The beach is my happiest place. As an introvert, I need time away from others to collect my thoughts and regain my energy so I have more to give. Miles of sandy shoreline, graceful sea birds, the music of the waves, the colors of incredible sunrise and sunsets, and my bare feet connecting with the soft sand transport me to another world.
In this world, I feel inspired, energized, and at peace. During my runs along the coast, I discovered my love for photography. Keeping all that beauty and transformative emotion to myself felt selfish and wasted. I began composing picture after picture during my beach runs. After running I spend hours narrowing down my favorite images, editing them, and finally, I love posting them on social media to share with friends and family.
Yes, maybe something that feels so natural, easy, and not at all forced shouldn’t be considered art. Isn’t art supposed to be frustrating and difficult? I decided the answer is “no.” If I am enjoying myself, reenergizing, and finding peace with the world, and if I am successfully able to communicate my emotions and help you feel tranquil, inspired, and happy through my pictures, that is what matters. It turns out photography is art after all.
The purpose of art is to wash the dust of daily life off our souls.
Pablo picasso
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