When I do art festivals and street fairs, many people enter my booth and ask me if I’m the photographer. I answer, “Yes I am.” Very rarely does someone ask me if I’m the artist.
It seems there is not a strong connection in many peoples’ minds between photography and art. That is further evidenced by another question I get a lot – “Do you manipulate that photographs?” My answer to that is, “Of course.” That’s the short answer. The longer answer is, “I approach photography from the mind set of a painter. I reserve for myself all the creative and artistic freedom a painter has.” To this they usually respond, “Oh, I get it. You’re an artist.”
Art is many things but for me there are two facets that effect very strongly the way I approach photography and art. The first is, “Art is communication.” All artists have something to say. Otherwise we wouldn’t create works of art. Furthermore, art requires an audience. And the audience expects to be rewarded when they experience a work of art. In fact, if we experience a work of art that leaves us scratching our heads, we’re labial to say, “I don’t get it,” which tells us right there that we expect there is something to ‘get’ from art.
The other facet of art that influences me a great deal is, “Art is interpretation.” Every one of us perceives the world in a unique way. Our perception of reality is molded by the sum total of our life experiences. Artists are no different. Each of us has our own unique way of viewing reality and the world. And we have our own unique voice. So a work of art is the artist’s unique perspective, unique take on reality. When you experience a work of art you experience the world as the artist sees it. And that’s what we love about art; it shows us aspects of reality that we may not have seen ourselves.
So, do I manipulate my photographs? You bet I do. I want them to communicate my personal view of the world. Oh, by the way, I prefer to use the word ‘enhance.’
Good light to you.
You can see my view of the world at my website – http://RalphNordstromPhotography.com
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