So, you want to improve your skills, huh? Take suggestions from other art forms.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by jeff.amadon

How long should learning the fundamentals take? Days, weeks, years?

For most people it takes years as it did for me. However in the digital age it may only take a year or two, it depends on how quickly one can pick up certain things in image making. Portraiture is the biggest challenge by far.

At what point are you "allowed" to break THE RULES? Is there a standardized test?

No test but you should only break the rules after you know them all and why they are there.

I need to know if I should stop being creative because I haven't figured out the zone system yet. Most "photographers" don't even know where we get the word "photograph" from or what it actually means and this is why there is so much ignorance about proper lighting.

Is there some kind of committee that decides these things? When are their meetings? Am I supposed to be paying dues?

Yes there is a "committee!" The critique "committee" here on DPS. That will give you a good idea as to whether the image is actually any good because we have no emotional connection to the image. Showing your latest masterpiece to your mother will get you a "it is beautiful" response regardless of whether it is or not. The "dues" are paid by the buyer. Can you sell the image for a profit?


Benji

[jeff.amadon]

Ah, you make some good points Benji. I was being sarcastic in my post. For commercial photography i.e. portraiture, the customer has specific requirements and thus you're best operating within the rules and conventions of what they're looking for.

But for "art photography" (whatever the hell that is), or for art in general, is money the purpose? Or, is the art the purpose?

[Benji]

Originally Posted by jeff.amadon

Ah, you make some good points Benji. I was being sarcastic in my post. For commercial photography i.e. portraiture, the customer has specific requirements and thus you're best operating within the rules and conventions of what they're looking for.

But for "art photography" (whatever the hell that is), or for art in general, is money the purpose? Or, is the art the purpose?

Well Jeff, one thing I have noticed about "art photography" is that the maker almost always loves it. The true test as to whether it is successful piece of art (IMHO) is to hang it in an art gallery then during the show act like you are a spectator and listen carefully to what others have to say about it. I have noticed that most people are quite verbal about their likes and dislikes at an art show.

Benji

[jeff.amadon]

Originally Posted by Benji

Well Jeff, one thing I have noticed about "art photography" is that the maker almost always loves it. The true test as to whether it is successful piece of art (IMHO) is to hang it in an art gallery then during the show act like you are a spectator and listen carefully to what others have to say about it. I have noticed that most people are quite verbal about their likes and dislikes at an art show.

Benji

I get what you're saying. We just disagree on art to please others vs. art for art's sake - which is an old old debate so we should probably stop!