Question about Fine Art Photography

[sonyapayne]

I am new to photography, so please forgive me if this question is, well...characteristic of a novice. What is the difference between Fine Art Photography and Regular Photography? Is the former more subjective and/or is there a criteria that needs to be met?

Thanks
sp

[LeeR]

Let's make something clear; in the art world the title "Fine Art" is something given to you by other artists and can not, must not be chosen for yourself. I have a college education in artistic design and art history and I am trying to make great art every time I pick up my camera but I would never ever claim to be a 'Fine Art Photographer.' Would I like to earn that title one day? Sure, but only if it is bestowed on me by people whose work I respect. If Ernst Haas, Pete Turner and Jay Maisel call me a 'Fine Art Photographer' I might put it on my website. Until then I refuse to do like so many cheesy amatuers who call themselves 'Fine Artists' when it is obvious from their work that they wouldn't know a Pisarro from a Picasso or even a Stiechen from a Steiglitz.

[wulf]

There are no clear boundaries but it might be easier to do away with the notion of a "regular photographer". Instead there are a number of different sprawling camps and a photographer might regularly sit in more than one of them. Off the top of my head, how about "Memories", "Journalism", "Commerce", "Science" and "Art"?

If you aim for memories, you use your camera to capture people, places and things that you or others want to remember, whether crude snapshots or much more carefully constructed images.

If you aim for journalism, you are capturing a story that you hope will have wide interest.

If you aim for commerce, you are taking images that you hope others might want to buy. You could perhaps also include those taking images that could be commercial but who have no interest in selling them.

If you aim for science, you are using the camera to explore the way things are, for example freezing action or exploring at macro ranges.

If you aim for art, you are trying to capture the essence of things and perhaps even moving into symbolism (where the things you photograph convey the essence of other things).

Wulf

[sonyapayne]

Wulf,
I can see why you're called a "super moderator". Thank you for the answer. I'm not interested in calling myself an FA photographer, it just seems as though people make a big deal out of it, so I was just wondering.

Thanks again.
sp

[sonyapayne]

Leer...wow- you seem to be pretty passionate about this topic...