The Fashion Photograph - Essay Example

THE FASHION PHOTOGRAPH A creative work or its principle of making or doing of things which display form, beauty, and unusual perception is called an art. In line with this definition, art covers majority if not all of a different range of human activities and artifacts. So much so that different people described art in different manners. According to Richard Wolheim (1980), is one of the most elusive of the traditional human culture’s problem. On the other hand, Leo Tolstoy (2006) implies that an art is an indirect means of communication between the two persons. In addition to that Benedetto Croce (1902) and R.G. Collingwood also state that emotions are expressed by art and as implied by their article the work of art according to them therefore exists essentially in the creator’s mind (Levinson, J. 2003; “Art,”, 2007). In all these statements there is a clear idea that art is a means of expression. Be it the expression of emotion, of ones culture, of ones ideas, the fact remains that being an expression there is a message that is wanted to be conveyed, translated or communicated. However, the manners by which such emotions, culture or ideas are expressed differ when it is done through arts. This is because there is the display of aesthetic form and beauty which will be recognized only by the receiver in a manner by which it appeals to his own perception. Unlike in speaking for example, when you say the word ``ugly'' no matter who hear or receive that word it will carry one and only one meaning. But when it pertains to the world of art and the word ``ugly'' is expressed in the form of paintings, acting, and or even in photography the word ugly connotes different meanings and usually it is in the eye of the receiver. For in the point of view of the artist whatever is expressed in his work of art is nothing but the expression of his own ideas and or emotions. The receiver, the viewer in this instance therefore has now the capacity to translate this expression each according to his own perception. The appreciation of art or its aesthetic quality therefore lies in the hands of those who view it. Because the creator of art always believe in its aesthetic quality because it is what is being created in his mind in accordance to his belief, experience, and view. No matter what and how the viewer perceived the work of art of an artist it still remains to be of value to the creator, and will always stand by the fact that there is art in it because it is a product of desire, imagination, and skill of the creator. This is where difference in perception plays a major role in evaluating and considering any work of art. ``Photography is defined as the art or process of producing images of objects upon a photosensitive surface (as film in a camera) by the chemical action of light or other radiant energy'' (Webster New World Dictionary). How photography became an art is in the manner by how the photographer play or operates the process. There are ways and means by which the photographer measure, filter the shade and light, choose the subject and or settings. This requires skill, or the expertness that comes from training and practice. However for it to be considered an art there must be the concept of form, beauty and expression. “In 1830, photography’s technique was developed however it was not until much later that the fashion photography came into existence” (O’Rourke, A., 2005). What is the concept of the significant form? It lies in the quality of work being done that set it aside from the work of others. Any object that is being considered a work of art brings about aesthetic emotions. This covers the varying lines and colors that are being combined in a specific way. Some forms and the relations of these forms stir the aesthetic emotions of the viewer. In consideration of this, beauty and expression play interchangeably to show any work of art. In fashion photography, however the primary purpose of which is to show clothes so that one can easily sell them (“Fashion Photography in UK,” 2007). It is just like using a catalogue whose primary purpose is to encourage sales. However, it becomes a work of art when it is being used by the photographer as a means of expression. How then can fashion photography cannibalizes and/ or creates new art is a question that remains to be discussed. Cannibalize means to take any or all components from for use in building up another. Susan Sontag (1977) in her write up on “Photography” stated that taking photographs in the early history of photography is considered only as `` a toy of the clever, the wealthy, and the obsessed''. This is because in the early stages of photography only the inventors know how to operate it and taking photographs had no clear social use. According to her it was a gratuitous or unwarranted artistic activity although there are some who consider it as an art. However, industrialization brought about new meaning in photography because it now has social relevance. So the reaction against these value help reinforced the self consciousness of photography as an art. As stated for something to be an art it requires three main concepts, the form, the aesthetic appeal and the expression. The interplay of these concepts help one analyzed what art means with respect to fashion photography. What Susan Sontag (1977), stated created a diverse reaction as to the true meaning of art in photography. However, it also creates points that has never been analyzed or considered by others in the point of view of an artist. In her analysis just like in the scientific statement that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, art can be declared the same. That it can neither be created nor destroyed but it simply evolves or develops. It just changes its forms therefore from any work of art another work of art can evolve thus creating new one. Any change in form, shape or movement can create a new work of art. In creating new one, it can also be said that the old one may be gone but never destroyed such that the term cannibalizes is used. The discovery of photography is a clear manifestation that photography originally came from other art and that is lithography. It was Joseph Nicephore Niepce who discovered photography when he did his experiments with the art of lithography. What he did was to place engravings into engraving stones or glass plates coated with a light sensitive varnish. He also makes use of the application of camera obscura the popular instrument at that time. Unintentionally this lead him to the creation of a new art medium. Perhaps this is the reason why Susan Sontag (1977), stated that photography came from other art and eventually cannibalizes other art. Let it be known at this point that Joseph Nicephore Niepce made his experiments because he was enthralled with the newly invented art of lithography then. Being scientifically minded but lacking talent in the art of drawing he tried to make use of his scientific ideas into creating a specific art form. Unintentionally however, this art form became recognized perhaps because it created aesthetic appeal to the viewers. During the time when lithography was introduced there was an improvement in the art in the sense that reproduction of art work in now is easier. Tracing on stones is easily done rather than incision of design on wood or etching on copperplate. This allows production of art work in numbers thereby enabling to introduce them to the market. Aside from that, lithography as a graphic art helps demonstrate life as it occurs on a daily basis (Benjamin, W. 1936). However, the contribution of lithography in the world of art was later overcome by the occurrence of photography. It may not be considered the end of lithography as an art to some practitioners but there is a remarkable appreciation of photography than lithography. This is also one of the reasons why some may consider that photography's birth brought about the death of another art. Appreciation of photography is more because the use of the eye (of course with the aid of lenses) is more apparent in producing the photograph as an art work rather than using the hand in creating artwork. Since the use of the eye is easier than the use of the hand in terms of length of time in producing the artwork, it more appreciated. Aside from this some consider that there is less effort being used in photography. Because of the continuous search of man for knowledge and longing to make use of their skills and ability man create and recreate things in accordance to the existing knowledge, skills, and resources. The object in mind is to find new ways and means to improve whatever is existing recognizing and making use of the available knowledge, skills, and resources. Sometimes, man was unaware during the time of the experiments or the time of actually doing the things that they were able to discover new ideas or knowledge. But as time goes by and as others recognize their work, later in their life their work and ideas became a new set of knowledge. The quest for knowledge is never ending, and so the industrial revolution allows one to make use of the mechanical reproduction of this new art medium. Unlike before work of art is considered to be done as part of a ritual and yet still they were able to express ideas for authentic purposes. Now in the new age because of modernization authenticity becomes a question. This is because reproducibility of art work is now easy. This leads to another question if such thing is really a work of art specifically in the aspect of photography and more particularly in fashion photography. The creation of a photograph is mainly for the purpose of selling but it becomes a work of art in the point of view of the creator in which case the photographer. Since art is something that reflects the emotions, thoughts, ideas or beliefs of the artist through the senses and it also something that incites the thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and ideas of the viewer through the senses, photography as art really depends upon the point of view not only of the creator but the viewer as well. For photography to be considered as art by others it should carry with it the fact that when it is being looked upon or being seen by the viewer there is an appeal. The sense of sight is primarily the deciding factor for beauty or for aesthetic appeal in order to determine if there is pleasure obtained from seeing or looking at the photograph. There is no beauty in the photograph if there is no pleasure obtained from looking at it. However there is another way by which art can be described and appreciated and that is when it is being used as a process or skill to show creativity whether it is a concept, a product, or an experience. This means that others can perceive artistic work in photography when the audience can understand or is familiar with the message, the mood, or the symbols that enhances their drive to view it for interpretation. Photography can serve varying reasons for the maker and for the viewer as well. References “Art,” (2007). Home: Just Another Aziroet weblog. 4 November. http://aziroet.com/buckgsxr1000/2007/11/04/art/ Benedetto, C., (1902). “Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic.” Benjamin, W. (1936). “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” “Fashion Photography in UK.” (2007). Eventsforlondon.co.uk Levinson, J. (2003). “The Oxford Handbook of Aesthetics.” Oxford University Press: p.5 O’Rourke, A. (2005). “History of Fashion Photography: An Essay” Part One. Sontag, S. (1977). “On Photography.” Penguin, London. Tolstoy, L. (2006) “What is Art?” last updated 23 November. Webster New World Dictionary Wollheim, R. (1980) “Art and its Objects.” 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press: p.1 Read More