Questions about art:

[darkman]

It's interesting what you said about not liking most street photography. It's interesting to think about street photography for a moment - I think the street scene is almost purely a photographic genre. Sure, there are paintings depecting street scenes. But a "decisive moment," if you will, on the street? Captured forever? That's photography at it's lowest and highest! I'm not saying I love it all - some of it is a little too one-liner-ish for me. But some is brilliant - I've always loved Winogrand. Our own Gerry Widen is a classic street photographer. When I came to NY to go to college for photography - man, was I in heaven! My work back then was all street photography.Megan

Hi Megan,

I overstated that a tad. I was trying to drive home a point against a couple of comments that landscapes aren't art. Someone who catches that decisive moment on the street in a picture doesn't have any more _meaning_ to me than someone who catches that decisive moment with a landscape. Why should there be? Both people are in the right place at the right time and knew what to do. I appreciate them both. It just so happens that I like landscapes better! Plus, I often see street shots as something that goes in the family album.

Hmmm, maybe I'm onto something! My wife does creative memory (and complains she can't crop my images like her friends crop their's from their vacation - because I usually frame well). Anyway, people are usually impressed with the albums. They have brought me work (or offers to do work).

I also enjoy(ed?) Hess's street work. It was definately his strength.

As for your photo club and motion blur - well... I can't speak for them. But some people just don't get beyond technique.Megan

I used blur because it was simple. But you saw my point I pretty much gave up on the contest side of the club. Our club has very well known photographer. Founders and teachers at schools (including NY), advertising, Nat. Geog. photographers, etc. I live in the state with the most photographers per capita.

The best advice I got was from one of these people though. I showed her some pictures, then she asked to see the rest from the roll and told me to get someone to help me edit my photos. I was favoring the ones that took the most work. I was hanging by a cliff by one hand, blood running down my fingers... This one must be best! Now I know what I like. I still ask people's opinions but usually in choosing between a couple of images for use.

Still, I do something different with a portrait and get comments how to make mall lighitng! It's like this is engraved in our heads. My mom can't figure out why you wouldn't do just that. For me, if all I did was simple setups and work the person to get a nice percieved image all I'd be doing is commerce. I would go out of my mind! Again, it has a place but it's not my bag.

Anyway, I don't know what genius truly is in the artistic realm It's one of those "I know it when I see it" things, I guess. And sometimes I need to be told and convinced, as well. Megan

BTW, I do appreciate what pollack did historically. I just see it as splattered paint!