What defines a photo as being 'fine art'?

2 years 10 months ago #719499 by Little Kate
Why do some photographers insist that their photos are 'fine art'?  

What makes one persons photos 'fine art' and another persons photos, just photos?  Is this a superficial term or is there more to it? 

Thank you.


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2 years 10 months ago #719501 by Nikon Shooter
Hello Kate,

fine art is totally subjective — and for some, a way to subtract, to shelter
themselves from criticism.

There is the documentation, illustrating a subject… even perfectly. There is
also the story telling and then the pure quest for beauty in all the possible
ways and approaches… like minimalism, graphic or/and tonal approach are
counting among the used avenues.

Rendering something ordinary in an extraordinary way? Maybe that is it.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago #719502 by Little Kate
Thank you, that helps.  So it's a lot to do with opinion of ones own work?


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2 years 10 months ago #719505 by Nikon Shooter

Little Kate wrote: So it's a lot to do with opinion of ones own work?


YES… for the lesser of them.

The better ones, IMO, are described as such by competent critiques
and that doesn't exclude themselves as they may be critical enough.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago #719507 by icepics
These days it seems like people sometimes call something or even themselves whatever they want, but it doesn't make it so. I think the term 'fine art' like many others can be used rather loosely. Even some years ago there was a place in the mall that supposedly sold fine art - but it wasn't! Just mediocre paintings or copies or whatever.

Usually 'fine arts' are considered to be paintings, sculpture,etc. Art in general probably includes photography. Usually the term 'craft' describes basketry, ceramics/pottery, etc. Those may often be art for display more than for functional use(dishes, etc.), although with a design element not mass produced even a bowl or cup could be a piece of art.

You could try looking up universities in your area and see if they have fine arts listed as courses or a department. There might be an art dept. with fine arts degrees for certain types of art. I think fine arts can describe visual arts like paintings, and music like symphonies, etc.

Sharon
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2 years 10 months ago - 2 years 10 months ago #719512 by TCav
Simple answer: The Buyer decides if its "Fine Art".


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2 years 10 months ago #719586 by db3348
Another possibility is  how much effort the photographer  goes to  to make the most immaculate quality print  and frame it in the most immaculate standard frame and mat for presentation (i.e. worthy of being hung in a gallery / exhibition), 
as  opposed to a simple mediocre snapshot photo developed & printed at Walgreens and stuck in a cabinet to forget about .


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