Sunday February 11, 2007

Educating the Viewer

Since the opening of my gallery I have noticed a trend in questions asked by viewers about my my artwork and specifically my photographs.

First I would like to state one thing. I consider myself an image maker before I consider myself a photographer. I am more interested in the end result of an image than the tools I use. I will exploit whatever it takes to achieve my vision. It could be film, a scanner, or a digital camera. It does not matter to me.

The single most asked question is “are these digital?”. It seems the viewer is often more interested in the how and not the why of my photographs. From my past gallery experience I know that this is a question that is not normally asked about a painting or ceramic piece. This is probably a result of the camera and photograph being such a common part of most peoples lives.

Another relative question to “are these digital?” is “do you manipulate your photographs?”. This is really a loaded question whether the viewer knows it or not. I learned photography first with black and white film in a dark room. Black and white darkroom photography is somehow believed to be pure. The truth is that all photography is manipulated even in the darkroom. Chemistry, time, and light are all variables on how film is exposed, developed, processed, and printed. I work mostly digitally now and most of what I do in photoshop is something I would probably do in a darkroom. So the answer is yes, I do manipulate my photographs. I have to by default, I have no choice.

The next question is usually “do you use photoshop?”. Hell yes I do. I love my computer and I love photoshop. It gives me unlimited possibilities of how to express myself through my images. Again, the point is why and not how.

Sometimes an image maker or photographer needs educated. When I am around other photographers I often find myself asking the technical how questions on how someone achieved an image. We call this “talking shop” and it happens in all circles of specialty.

I found an article by Alain Briot that addressed this issue with more depth that I could ever express.

In general, and in closing, it is best not to act defensively when you find yourself confronted by someone asking questions such as the ones I mention in this essay. Often, these questions are aimed at making you take a defensive position. Unfortunately, if you do so you find that you have to defend yourself in regards to actions that you are perfectly free to conduct. Actions that, eventually, are nobody’s business except your own. Actions that, furthermore, are perfectly legal but that your interlocutor may want you to feel are not. Unfortunately for them, what is illegal are things such as loan sharking, drug dealing or pistol-whipping a priest. It does not include enhancing a photograph for artistic purposes. You can’t be arrested for doing it, you can’t be taken to court and you can’t be placed on probation or otherwise legally punished.

The best solution for people who really do not like your work and who do not want to be bothered by the facts is to move on and go look at the work of an artist that they like. Therefore, if they ask you questions, there is no reason for you to feel threatened or act in a defensive manner. Just tell them the truth, and let them believe whatever they want to believe. Remember, if they don’t like you or your work, they will never buy your work. And if they compliment you about your work, they are either lying or pulling your leg. So just say yes and let them be. That is what I do.

Reflections on Photography & Art # 6, The Luminous Landscape, Alain Briot

Now I can confidently say “yes” to all those questions. I am not defensive and am proud of what I do and how I achieve my images. I educate those who are truly interested and simply counter those who think they are clever.