Poll: artistry

[PixelRabbit]

The thread, from which that quote was drawn, was also a poll on this issue.
It seems that people have real trouble approaching the subject with honesty but often deflect into humor or sarcastic jibes at others to avoid actually disclosing themselves.
Even the poll-maker really encouraged this hiding by giving humorous options.
That's comfortable but not truthful.
I think that really discloses a fear of being judged and failing, being judged by the Internet world is embarrassing, while being seen as humorous is OK.

There were two consecutive posts that were unusually honest and to the point.

This last is, imo, the most trenchant and important point.

I stand by my words and its less hard to say it now that more time has passed.
I'm Judi, I'm an artist

 

[SCraig]

Frankly, I think everyone who picks up a camera would like to consider themselves, at some point, an "artist"....

You would be wrong. There is at least one person who does NOT want to be considered an "Artist". Since most of the junk that passes for "Art" today, be it painted, drawn, photographed, or played on an instrument, leaves me cold I have absolutely no interest in being included in that group. Technically competent is all I aspire to.

 

[snowbear]

I consider myself an artist (multiple media), even though I have to work at it.

 

[TheFantasticG]

Dont care if called an artist or whatever.

I just like to click the button to hear the shutter sound.

 

[The_Traveler]

Frankly, I think everyone who picks up a camera would like to consider themselves, at some point, an "artist"....

You would be wrong. There is at least one person who does NOT want to be considered an "Artist". Since most of the junk that passes for "Art" today, be it painted, drawn, photographed, or played on an instrument, leaves me cold I have absolutely no interest in being included in that group. Technically competent is all I aspire to.

You don't like their art, so you keep yourself from trying to be creative?
This seems sort of like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

[Stevepwns]

I have been practicing and learning different forms of art since I was a child. Photography being the latest. I'm haven't been successful at all of them. I am a professional hobbyist so photography will be added to the list of hobby's I am always trying to find to do and get better at.

 

[SCraig]

You don't like their art, so you keep yourself from trying to be creative?
This seems sort of like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

If that's how you choose to view it then by all means do so.

 

[Steve5D]

If someone could pick one ability: 1) the ability to be an artist who can create interesting, wonderful, amazing, insightful pictures or 2) to be a superb technician with the skills to create pictures that were technically perfect, what choice would most people make?

Whichever one people are willing to pay for.

Personally, I would opt for #1, seeing as #2 could get boring real quick. But if #2 is paying the bills, my desire for #1 takes a back seat...

 

[Steve5D]

Frankly, I think everyone who picks up a camera would like to consider themselves, at some point, an "artist"....

You would be wrong. There is at least one person who does NOT want to be considered an "Artist". Since most of the junk that passes for "Art" today, be it painted, drawn, photographed, or played on an instrument, leaves me cold I have absolutely no interest in being included in that group. Technically competent is all I aspire to.

So there's never been in a moment, however fleeting, in your photographic life that you've wanted to be, or considered yourself to be, an artist?

 

[robbins.photo]

I can't think of a reason why a person couldn't be both an artist as well as be someone who strives for technical perfection, but that's not one of the choices.

There are times I shoot to be creative or "artistic", but there are times when I'm shooting for a paycheck. In those instances, what I find "artistic" is of little importance...

Well there is something to be said for eating - and avoiding the mind numbing funk that requires you to lop of an ear. Honestly to me the question is a moot one. I take pictures for my benefit, not for anyone else. I shoot what I see that interests me for my own enjoyment. If others like what they see and enjoy my photo's great, if they want to call it art more power to them. In the final analysis it doesn't alter what I do or why, it's just another label that frankly holds no value for me.

I am not nor will I ever be the "Artist formerly known as" and I'm not so narcissistic that I find it necessary to change my name to an unpronounceable symbol and then get testy when others don't get it. So maybe my whole problem with calling myself an "artist" is that most of the "artists" I can think of, well their just weird. Lol..

 

[robbins.photo]

The thread, from which that quote was drawn, was also a poll on this issue.
It seems that people have real trouble approaching the subject with honesty but often deflect into humor or sarcastic jibes at others to avoid actually disclosing themselves.
Even the poll-maker really encouraged this hiding by giving humorous options.
That's comfortable but not truthful.
I think that really discloses a fear of being judged and failing, being judged by the Internet world is embarrassing, while being seen as humorous is OK.

There were two consecutive posts that were unusually honest and to the point.

This last is, imo, the most trenchant and important point.

I stand by my words and its less hard to say it now that more time has passed.
I'm Judi, I'm an artist

Hi Judi!

Hmm.. starting to feel a bit like an AA meeting. Lol

 

[SCraig]

So there's never been in a moment, however fleeting, in your photographic life that you've wanted to be, or considered yourself to be, an artist?

There probably was. I've been playing with cameras since the mid 60's though and that's a long time to try and remember. I even took art appreciation in college decades ago.

All I know for certain is what I see now. I see photographs that are overexposed and tinted yellow that people rave about. I see out-of-focus junk that people rave about. I see shots with no discernible subject that people rave about. I see overcooked, cartoonish HDR that people rave about. I see as much of this as what I consider to be competent technical photography, and if that is what people consider to be "Art" or "Artistic Photography" these days then I do not consider myself to be one of that group nor do I wish to be part of that group.

I'm not asking anyone to change their appreciation of what they consider to be art, all I ask is that I not be included in that group.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Ha, Robbin, Artists Ahoy!


Scott, ok now I'm curious, is there any art that you enjoy? What is on your walls? Or what would you put on your walls? Or heck on your stereo, on your tv, in your workshop?

 

[robbins.photo]

So there's never been in a moment, however fleeting, in your photographic life that you've wanted to be, or considered yourself to be, an artist?

There probably was. I've been playing with cameras since the mid 60's though and that's a long time to try and remember. I even took art appreciation in college decades ago.

All I know for certain is what I see now. I see photographs that are overexposed and tinted yellow that people rave about. I see out-of-focus junk that people rave about. I see shots with no discernible subject that people rave about. I see overcooked, cartoonish HDR that people rave about. I see as much of this as what I consider to be competent technical photography, and if that is what people consider to be "Art" or "Artistic Photography" these days then I do not consider myself to be one of that group nor do I wish to be part of that group.

I'm not asking anyone to change their appreciation of what they consider to be art, all I ask is that I not be included in that group.

Ok, so if I can come up with a cartoonish overcooked yellow tinted overexposed out of focus HDR shot with no discernable subject then I am an ARTEEST!

Lol.. nope, just not my style either.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ha, Robbin, Artists Ahoy!


Scott, ok now I'm curious, is there any art that you enjoy? What is on your walls? Or what would you put on your walls? Or heck on your stereo, on your tv, in your workshop?

What can I say Judi, long time listener, first time caller. Love the show by the way.. lol