Is photography art?

Question

and should my art teacher accept it as part of a project?

Answer 1

I learned a long time ago you give teachers what they want and you get good grades. Do you want a good grade? Then go along with what your teacher says.

Is photography art? It can be, in the right hands. Look at an Ansel Adams print and tell me that's not art! But so many people with digital cameras these days are snapping junk and posting it on the internet for all to see. No, that's not art, that's garbage.

The garbage I'm talking about the out of focus head shots that people put on My Space and other teenager meets world sites and ask "Am I pretty?" about. Some of the digital photos out there are really good, and could be considered art (mostly done by the people who learned on film cameras with manual settings, so they actually know what they're doing).

Answer 2

The true answer to this question is a matter of opinion, mostly. Yes, photography falls within the category of 'visual arts', which when you think about it includes all forms of art that can appeal to the viewer in a visual manner. Art is pretty broad when you think about it, and most classes cannot encompass all forms of art, so when choosing an art class you should know up front whether photography will be considered art by the teacher.

This question is largely subjective, but if you are taking a traditional art class, and the teacher sets guidelines of what is acceptable for any given assignment, and those guidelines exclude photography you are bound by what that teacher considers 'art'. Unfortunately, you can't often argue with a teacher's point of view, especially if they are the ones choosing what is taught. Unless you are taking an art class that is specific to photography, you're can't always assume photography will be part of what you are learning.

My advice to you, if you want an art class that will include photography in its curriculum as art, take a photography class.

Answer 3

Maybe the question should be asked how is photography not an art? Is it not an art because it isn't as visceral a process as say painting or sculpture? That is often one of the most used arguments, that there is a lack of physical contact between the artists hand and the finished work. If you take this argument then what about the works of Marcel DuChamp, Joseph Beuys or Andy Warhol who for the most part had very little if no contact between themselves and their art. Despite this fact their reputation as artists are not challenged, in fact these people are heralded as some of the most important figures in 20th century art.
Another argument that people make is that photography is just too easy, one simple click and that is it, art has to be strenuous and take lots of time. If you value art based on how long it took the artists to create the piece of work what about one of the most expensive paintings ever to sell at auction, a painting by Picasso that took no more than 20 mintues to paint. Although it only took 20 minutes for Picasso to paint this painting it took him a lifetime of learning and experience to get to the point where he could paint something of artistic merit in such a short time. A photograph may be made in a fraction of a second, but to create anything of merit usually requires years of study and experience, i.e, just because your exposure times may be the same as Ansel Adams doesn't mean that your work will be of the some quality.
However, I have a feeling I know where your art teacher is coming from. Your art teacher wants to to critically think about your art project, and unfortunately many students who don't want to take the time to think about things like color, composition, light, etc would use a photo project as an easy way out. Unfortunately the way that most people take photos, shoot without thinking, it is not condusive to critical thinking. Ansel Adams explains this the best " If photography were difficult in the true sense . . . that the creation of a simple photograph would entail as much time and effort as the production of a good watercolor or etching -- there would be a vast improvement in total output."
Fact is a good photograph is more about the years of study prior to the fraction of a second it takes to capture the image. I should mention too that while I was in art school I was required to take the same base classes that painters and sculptures took and was required to pass various life drawing and painting classes(people who argue against photography as an art typically say that photographers don't know how to paint or draw and use photography as a crutch for their artistic failures in painting.)

Answer 4

Yes it can be art. What you have to do is make your teacher define art. What is it? Then you have a basis as to wether or not photography is art. If your teacher says that one of the peramiters is a time frame (it cant be done in just a second or two), then you can do a timed exposure. If they say that you have to create it, well then create a shot. etc...

Honestly Terisu has it right. If you want the grade then you had better give the teacher what they want. Maybe a clay sculpture of a camera with an eyeball looking out the lens.

Answer 5

It definitely can be art. A picture, whether painted, drawn or photographed, is properly composed in the mind and eye of teh artist. Photography is merely a medium to make that vision more permanent. I would differentiate proper photography from just "taking pictures." Although the two are not mutually exclusive, one just seems a bit more formal. Good luck!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

That question has been asked since the first photographs were made. Early photographers tried to emulate paintings, using soft focus and other "painterly" effects.

Photography is definitely a recognized art form.

Whereas the painter starts with a blank canvas and can easily include or exclude whatever he wishes, the photographer is faced with a finished scene. He must know what to do and how to do it to make the most of that scene. He must visualize what he wants the photograph to be.

Answer 8

Hell Yea.... Photography is one if the greatest art mediums around.