There are many types of photography, and they all have defining characteristics that make them what they are. For instance, “wedding photography” is clearly defined as photographs of weddings. A portrait photographer takes portrait photos – much like an artist would paint one. The same can be said for most areas of photography, with few exceptions. Fine art photography is one of them.
There is no “set in stone” definition for fine art photography; no universally accepted ideas where one can look at a photograph and say, “yes, this is fine art photography”. In general terms, however, this type of photography has two main characteristics:
1. Fine art photography produces a specific emotion or feeling from the viewer.
2. That emotion or feeling is exactly what the artist (photographer) intended.
Natural landscapes are widely accepted as fine art, such as the work done by Ansel Adams, a well-known fine art photographer of the 20th century. An environmentalist, Adams used his work to share the joy and beauty he found in nature. Examples of his work can be found here: Ansel Adams’ SlideShows
There is no doubt that Adams’ photographs make the viewer feel; the landscapes and portraits grab your attention.
Fine art photography can encompass many genres, from portraits to landscapes, from weddings to fashion. There are photos of a couples getting married, where their love shines clearly through the film; photojournalists have captured moments that have become fine art, placed in museums and historical places.
What does seem clear about fine art photography is that it grabs the heart and soul of those looking at it. A small child dancing in a field of wildflowers can call to the heart just as well as a landscape, empty of everything but nature itself. When next you look at a photograph, let yourself feel it – don’t just scan. You may very well have held fine art in your hands and never recognized it.
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