Fine Art Photography and Freedom
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When I first started thinking about fine art photography and what it means to me, I had 'freedom' at the top of the list (although I've since found worthy challengers for the top-spot). For decades as an engineer, I was ruled by the immutable laws of physics and Codes of Practice so, in comparison, photography feels totally unregulated!
Freedom – that giddy, child-like, sugar-rush of freedom.
In fact, photography does have some ‘rules’, but they’re much less controlling. They’re better described as guidelines and suggestions – the accumulated experience and wisdom of the ages. They’re the sort of ‘rules’ which are helpful when you’re getting started but, as your understanding and confidence develop, can be freely reinterpreted.
With fine art photography I have freedom to be childlike, excited and experimental – less cautious and creatively-timid. I have permission to venture outside my comfort zone – well outside – and I take it, I step outside.
Permission from whom? I've no idea!!!
It also means that I can challenge my long-held belief that I've no artistic aptitude and I can see whether the tiny seeds of my creativity will grow if I nurture them – give them the time and space to develop.
Much of my early photographic progress was based on my technical competence and my ability to copy people – to emulate my tutors and imitate other artists and their art – rather than through artistic sensibility. And sadly, this reinforced my self-perception that I wasn’t artistic – that engineering and art don’t mix!!! But I’m slowly beginning to reassess this – to develop some self-belief, self-confidence.
Best of all, fine art photography means I can be unpredictable, surprise even myself.
Particularly myself!