What makes a photograph a piece of art? E.g. Photos by Andreas Gursky, Thomas Struth?

Answer 1

A photograph is a piece of art in that the artist (photographer) uses his eye to capture something at a particular angle or perspective. It is not necessarily the subject of the photo that is art, it is the perspective offered by the photographer that makes it art.

A photographer might see a subject at a certain time or place that makes it look interesting. Maybe the light is hitting it a certain way, or the outside environment is affecting the subject in an ineresting way, and capturing that perspective is what make it an art.

Answer 2

To explain what makes photography art would be a universal answer to Art applied anywhere.
In my opinion, a photographers photo is more than beautiful colors and composition.
It's a story, a view, a perception of how that photographer viewed that specific scene and what emotions were applied to it.
It's a combination of science and the soul.
Like a neverending story captured by a lens. And the most beautiful part is, only you are there no matter how famous your picture becomes b/c onlyt you experienced it in your way. Then that piece of Art magnifies as other's see their story in it.
Art is untouchable and One.

Answer 3

Art by definition is the product or process of the effective application of a body of knowledge, most often using a set of skills.

So, when a photographer picks up a camer and applies his knowledge of the craft to his current photograph or piece of work, it becomes art.

Another great definition of art is commonly understood to be the process or result of making material works (or artwork) which, from concept to creation, adhere to the "creative impulse".