My comments aren’t about photography that is in service to anything else (in order to sell watches on ebay or even an editorial assignment with certain constraints and enforced rules.) It’s not a question of whether or not those photographs created in service of something can be art, but I’m going to leave out the whole business/marketing elements because I don’t think they’re relevant to my thoughts.

Having an ability to express your emotions is important. So is having an ability to express your thoughts. I think it’s that ability that Arty Fucking Smokes (15) is calling communication skills.

But does it matter if you can express in a photograph what you have to think or feel if nobody cares? Well, as an artist you can feel that you’ve created something authentic over which you have real authorship. I think that in and of itself is a pretty great thing and something to be proud of.

Different cultures and generations interpret works of art in different ways. Old photographers are often being discovered years after their work was created because the work takes on new meaning in the changed world.

Being able to explain the work in an informed manner can also make a difference. Two different photographers might make two very similar photographs (think of a lot of the photographs that have come out of Beijing in the past few years that focus on the rapid modernization there). If one photographer is better able to communicate what his/her work is about and do so in an intelligent manner that is relevant to art discourse, there is probably a better chance of that work being seriously considered. Similarly, if one of those photographers is Chinese and photographing his own city and the other is from Paris, the work also takes on different meanings.

Well said Rodney.

anyway, ramble, ramble ramble.

J

agreed. Emotion is the basis for everything to SOME degree. I would imagine a product photographer brings some sort of emotion and passion to the delicate lighting that his job requires… or at least the good ones do.

I think I understand what you mean, but I believe there are many types of emotion that come into play. Not all our worn on one’s sleeve. I think an inner passion for the work in itself is an emotion that a product (watches) photographer would benefit in having.

I have no doubt, at least for me, it is a very emotional process and I know lots of emotionally imbalanced folk that make amazing work as well! Some of the best (art)work is done by those that are massively imbalanced. I agree in large part to what he was saying and I think emotions and the ability to express or release them lays the groundwork for artistic vision.

I was just making my opinion known that I think it all depends on the particular field of photography. If I were looking for a photographer to shoot the Rolex watches for my eBay auction, Joel-Petr Witkin might not be on my list. I really wouldn’t care if the photographer brought any emotional talent to the table. If he did, it might be kinda weird?

And where do you think that artistic vision is based in?

I couldn’t agree more with Rodney on this and while I know it’s my job to pair the right shooter with the right assignment, being emotionally “there” for the shoot ALWAYS becomes evident (or not) in the edit. Which, many times, becomes the point when it’s decided whether or not the photographer will get a call back the next time…

I agree with some of the statements made, as art compels emotion when it is filled with it. But it has often been my experience as an emerging editorial professional and an artist that certain personal viewpoints are better left out of certain assignments. Greenberg comes to mind. Although the work is fantastic, the client and job do not always require or want polarized viewpoints. Better reserve these feelings for the exhibition art.

Great post Rob.

It will be beautiful as expected. Not sure I can pony up 650 extra at the moment…..

I think I will read the blog…..

So very true.