[LargeFormat] Photography as art?

[Jim Brick]

At 10:09 PM 10/23/2002 -0400, Andrew Duncan wrote:


>1. Is photography art?

Art is truly in the eye of the beholder. A lot of photography is art to me. 
And a lot is simply documentation. And a lot more is simply junk images 
recorded on film/paper. Perhaps the junk images are meaningful to someone 
else. Photographic "art" (my perception) has a lot more meaning to me than 
other forms of so called "art."



>2. Why do I photograph?

The process gives me great joy. When in the field, I get completely lost in 
the process. All of lifes trials and tribulations disappear. I see 
masterpieces on the ground glass (visions in my head), which occasionally 
actually turn into real photographic masterpieces. This is the quest which 
leads me into total concentration and the complete escape from reality. 
Under a dark cloth and behind a closed darkroom door... sanctuaries.


>3. What am I trying to say?

Say? Perhaps nothing. My photography and its processes bring "me" joy. If 
the result brings other people joy as well, this is nice. I spend a great 
amount of time as a mentor, since I've been doing this for fifty two years, 
and I associate with a lot of photographically young people. But perhaps 
I'm saying, "take a look at what I can do, and if you like it, let me help 
you achieve your goals."

Jim