The Joy of Light
“Light makes photography. Admire it. Love it. But, above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”
I have always felt that photography, in the right hands, is an artform. However, sometimes it is hard to tell when, and how, the craft of photography can become an art and whether a particular image meets that criteria. I have often thought a lot about this in my own photography. And that is the subject of this Blog: how do I find the Art in Photography and how do I know when I have found it?
I hope you find my thoughts on the subject entertaining and, occasionally, informative.
You will notice that I have not included a way for you to directly engage in comments or argument about my comments. I don’t want to be in the position of having to police comments or censor people views or way of expressing themselves. I am too old for that. However, if you wish to engage with me directly go over to the “Contact Me” page and drop me a line. I try to answer all of the comments I receive and If I find feedback that helps me develop my own thinking I will write about it here.
Quotations
Words to RememberQuotations about Photography worth Thinking AboutFlynn Marr | 23 January 2024“Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange taken in 1936 as the depression raged across AmericaI originally wrote this Post in August of 2014 and looking at it now I realize that...
Pictorialism
Pictorialismby Flynn | Dec 26, 2023In our post "But is it Art (Part II)" we were discussing two early schools of thought about photography: Pictorialism and Naturalism. Both terms are actually difficult to define closely and looking at pictures it can be difficult to...
But is it Art (Part II)
When I wrote “But is it Art (Part 1)” it was my intention to examine the struggle of photography to be recognized as a legitimate art form and in the process have a look at what constitutes Art. That is a big subject and I was going to make it a series of two or three...
A Walk in the Park
A Walk in the ParkSeeing the Photograph before you Click the ShutterFall in Confederation Park. This lovely spot is only a five minute walk from our house.“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera”. This was said by Dorothea Lange, a...
Lens, Book and Camera
Another day with the GuysLens, Book and CameraOctober 1st was the latest Camera Show here in Vancouver and as usual I had my table. Again I went to this show with very little in the way of cameras to sell. I did take lots of camera cases and other stuff that I have...
Buying Prints
Buying Photographic PrintsThoughts on the Market for PhotographsHave you ever noticed how few photographs you see hanging in peoples homes as art? There are lots of family pictures but seldom do you see a photographic print hung simply as art to be enjoyed. You see...
Hacked
We've Been Hacked!And I thought it would Never Happen to Me!My hobby is photography. Although I have some experience in electronics and computer programming, that is not my interest. I like to take pictures, I like to collect cameras, and I like to shoot film in my...
The Same is Always Different
On the side of the house we have a Lady who stands in the garden looking after the flowers. She is one of my favorite subjects.Have you ever heard someone pondering what to photograph? I have and I have had the experience of making a suggestion only to be told that...
The Process is Irrelevant
There are some days when I come out on the front porch of our home and the picture before me is breathtaking. The light is just right, the air is clear, and the clouds in the sky are perfect. I had such a day this past winter and, of course, I got my camera and took a...
Art Vancouver 2022
This past Saturday I took off by myself and went downtown to the Art Vancouver show at the Vancouver Convention Center. According to the show catalogue this is the sixth such event intended to raise awareness of Western Canada’s art scene. I had a wonderful afternoon...
Thoughts on the Ukraine
Tonight I wanted to talk about something different. I want to talk about the Ukraine. For the last three weeks I have listened and watched the absolute tragedy unfolding there and I have felt rage at the events and impotence to do anything about it. For the first time...
Pictures in the Rain
This is our path in the woods high above the ocean where we walk in the forest. We are so lucky to have this lovely wilderness to walk in just outside our front door.Pictures in the RainIt rained yesterday. It was cold and misty and the rain came in a flood. I learned...