Photographic Art Methodologies
By Mark Clune
Introduction
Those involved with the Photographic Arts have no doubt shared in the struggle to understand, categorize, and summarily define this quickly evolving medium. What is the art medium of photography? What methods of execution is and is not considered to be artistic photography? When an art patron understands a piece to be of the medium of photography, what are the expectations as to the tools and materials used, process, and execution utilized in the creation of the work? What are the emergent forms? Many of the other art mediums are generally established in the understanding in the methods and approaches of execution. Photography as an artistic medium is continually evolving. This is my attempt to bring some aspects of clarity to the medium and to advocate for the appreciation of its multiple forms using carefully chosen terminology.
In describing or labeling the medium of a piece of photography-based artwork, I believe that it is inadequate to just have the single descriptor of "photography" to describe the medium. This single descriptor offers little clarity on its own as to the nature and methodology of the photographic artwork. I propose that an additional and refining descriptor of the methodology employed be utilized as a precursor to the descriptor label of photography.
Three main types of photographic art methodologies are proposed with the understanding that all are equally valid and possess unique approaches and disciplines that are to be appreciated on their own unique merits.
Puristic Photography
Puristic photographic methodology, also known as "Straight Photography" as coined by the early 20th century photography group called f/64, is the capture of a single moment in time with the intent to depict a scene as clearly, realistically, and objectively at the moment of capture. Documentary and photojournalistic photography is a good example of this type of methodology. Image alterations both pre-exposure (e.g., lens filters) and post-exposure (e.g., developing, image editing, and printing methods) are strictly limited to correcting the image to be in concert with the photographer's perception of the subject's accurate visual reality at the moment of capture.
Puristic Analog
Analog methods of image capture are employed such as light sensitive chemical films or plates of different size formats. Developing and printing is done in a wet-process photo-chemical darkroom.
Puristic Digital
Digital methods of image capture are employed using a camera's electronic imaging sensor of different resolutions and quality. Development of a captured digital image is accomplished using "digital darkroom" image editing tools on a computer such as Adobe Photoshop. Printing is accomplished through the use of a lab-equipped digital wet-chemical printer or on a high quality pigment inkjet printer.
Interpretive Photography
Interpretive photographic methodology is the capture of a single moment in time that retains the inherent photo-realistic appearance of the captured image while also allowing for expressive color and tonal alterations in the development of an artistic work. Such alterations are freely applied without regard or intent to accurately depict the subject's true colors or tonal visual reality at the moment of capture. This allows the photographic artist additional liberties to bring artistic interpretative expression in the development of the work. Minor distracting elements such as telephone wires, trash, etc. are typically removed to preserve overall composition. Due to the use of heavy tonal filtering techniques, a good example of this methodology would be the works of the landscape artist Ansel Adams. Montage is not inclusive in this methodology. Due to the photo-realistic appearance of the imagery, it is important that the photographic artist openly disclose to the viewing public the interpretive nature/methodology of the work.
Interpretive Analog
Analog methods are employed in the creation and development of a photographic image utilizing creative techniques such as glass effect lens filters, infrared film, or wet darkroom alteration processes. Developing and printing is done in a wet-process photo-chemical darkroom.
Interpretive Digital
Digital methods are employed in the creation and development of a photographic image utilizing digital camera imaging sensors and "digital darkroom" computer image editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop. Printing is accomplished through the use of a lab-equipped digital wet-chemical printer or on a high quality pigment inkjet printer. Many choices of printing substrates exists from conventional photographic-type papers to watercolor and cloth canvas.
Transformative Photography
Transformative photographic methodology is the reworking and transformational rendering of the photographer's original raw photograph or film negative utilizing digital or analog image editing tools so as to freely apply interpretive creative expression in any manner desired in the development of an artistic work. Such alterations are freely applied without regard to the accurate depiction of the subject's visual reality in any way at the moment of capture. The resulting imagery of this methodology may or may not retain any degree of the photo-realistic appearance of the base photographic negative (analog or digital). This methodology is inclusive of photographic compositing or montage. It is important that the photographic artist openly disclose to the viewing public the transformative nature/methodology of the work.
Transformative Analog
Analog methods are employed in the creation and development of an artistic image utilizing creative techniques such as glass effect lens filters, infrared film, wet darkroom alteration processes, and conventional collage. Developing and printing is done in a wet-process photo-chemical darkroom.
Transformative Digital
Digital art tools such as image editing software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop), and/or natural media painting software (e.g., Corel Painter) is employed by means of a computer, graphics drawing tablet, and a drawing/painting stylus. Printing is accomplished through the use of a lab-equipped digital wet-chemical printer or on a high quality pigment inkjet printer. Many choices of printing substrates exists from conventional photographic-type papers to watercolor and cloth canvas.
Note: The terminology chosen to represent this particular methodology deliberately intends to replace and expand upon the more common terms, "manipulation" or “manipulated”. I feel that this term has such negative connotations in the Photographic Art realm particularly due to the associations of the term with photographers who have deliberately tried to deceive the public by "manipulating" photo-journalistic or other types of images that carry with them an expectation of truth and reality. This violation of trust is now married to the term of "manipulation" in all types of photography. Aside from this consideration, to me, the term sounds so "manipulative" which I think for many already carries a negative connotation. When analyzed further, I would offer that all art mediums practice "manipulation" to one degree or another. I feel this term performs an injustice to the creative efforts of practitioners of this methodology and would encourage the abandonment of its use.