One of the great debates within art history revolved around the technique, "drawing with light" or photography. The question: is photography a fine art?
There were many factors involved in this equation, such as skill. Some believed the camera was the true artist, that with a click of a button the perfect moment would be captured by a machine. Others, believed the camera was simply a tool of the trade, similar to a paint brush, that it took the talent and critical eye of a photographer to yield true results.
Once the debate between man vs. machine was solved, the question shifted to the final product. What was a photo? Was it a document? A record of a particular moment in time? Or was this something to be compared to an oil painting or landscape drawing?
Creditability, also played a role in this great debate. Who were the greats among this technique? What were the distinguish schools, one could attend for training? This brings me to my favorite characteristic of photography: freedom. The established schools and academies were not available for early photographers, the ability to study at famous museums admiring and coping the masters was not a option. Instead, anyone determined enough to learn the trade could. Women in particular took to this medium. With hard work and practice they were considered important members of the field. This was highly unusual. Women had historically been rejected from art schools, training, and life drawing classes. This greatly prevented them from perusing certain art forms like history paintings, that required an extensive knowledge of human anatomy. Photography was new, exciting and open to all.
Today, photography has fought its way into the art history textbooks as a fine art. In addition, photographic history classes exist, telling a more in-depth version of its history. Finally, photography is receiving the acclaim it deserves. In my opinion, I feel photography has been more impacted by improvements in technology than many of the fine arts like painting and drawing. We are losing the processes first used in this field like the darkroom. Fewer and fewer exist. More digital photos are being produced. Advancements are essential and important to the development of an art form, but not at the cost of this roots. Therefore, I would like to showcase a more traditional technique with today's artwork, an elegance that cannot be manufactured.
Here is a gelatin-silver print, created by Edward Steichen an American photographer. Steichen would go on to become the Director of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), where his thoughts and acquisitions would go on to inspire generations.
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Edward Steichen, Heavy Roses, Voulangis, 1914.
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In this image the background is solid black. That pushes our foreground closer, blending our foreground and middle ground together. The absence of color places attention on form and composition. The content or subject are roses. These delicate flowers are carefully arranged, overlapping one another creating a sense of depth. Steichen, at this point in his career was working in the mode of Straight Photography: sharp details, a range of values, and clearly defined focal points. Roses, although beautiful are fleeting. This photo captures the delicate petals in every stage, buds, blooming, to slow decay. The texture is outstanding, both rough and soft as satin simultaneously. Subtle shadows create an aura of stillness, encouraging the viewer to talk in hushed and reverent tones. An unassuming display that brings to mind the beauty of nature. Steichen captured one simple moment of time, that we can enjoy repeatedly.
I can stare at this image for hours. Every time I look, a notice a new flower, or a carefully shaped petal, that makes me marvel at the beauty of roses. Images speak to us, sometimes we can identify why, other time it's a mystery. Either way, enjoy the moment. It is perfectly respectable to spend more than 30 seconds on a image, to keep coming back to it, or to simply stand there all day. Treat your eyes and indulge your mind. Find a favorite photo, and try to analyze why you enjoy it. Take five minutes or an hour just to let your gaze wonder, and remember photography has made great strides, but let us not forget where it came from.
~Samantha
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