What is Art ? Is Photography an art form ? If art is only art for arts sake, how far away is photography from being art ?

Take car design for a moment, you could say that car design is not art, or fashion or anything other pure design for purpose, design for function. If art is only art for arts sake, then the Ford Fiesta is not art. But 80% of the people living in the UK know what it looks like. That sounds like something well designed to me

As someone who creates visual things, I would snap your arm off for that sort of statistic about my work. I make things for people to remember, not to impress for one moment then flick the page and its gone. In this day and age, when people’s portfolios are there Facebook Gallery’s, Photos and Art is worthless, you have to wedge something in peoples brain in half a second, force feed them before they click away to the next stunning photo. There are so many Amazing people out there creating amazing work on a daily basis, it’s hard to not feel like a grain of sand on a massive beach. We can not all be Tracy Emit, Geiger, Banksy or Marilyn Manson, but we can support them and the industry, in the hope that one day my work out sells threes under Bonham’s hammer. That’s the dream right ?

I could shoot all day for one photo, take that one photo and work on it for 2 weeks, then delete it, or come back to it and spend another 2 weeks on it. Thus comes to my problem with Fashion Photography, the forced desire driven by the industry would of moved on from “what was in” when I was shooting it.  Fashion Photography for me is not about photography, it’s about a power struggle for Fashionista Glory, my Starbucks is bigger, my shades are bigger, my party’s are better, I have less time for you so that means I am better you, Or maybe that’s just because I am not one of the cool kids – Yet. I will promise to sell out and change my view when I am there

I see my self as new into the world of Art, slowing earning my creative freedom in the age of PSD Artistry (PSD being the main file format of Photoshop,) Its hard, long cold dark road, that I guess will lead into depression and a money problem. This no doubt will lead to broke relationships and weight problems. Is this what we risk to be able to make other people happy when looking at our work ? Are Creative people just wannabe Martyrs?

Some say that “they do it for the love of it”, I don’t think so, on the whole I think its an escape, its be wanted, in demand, in the spotlight and the chance to be rich and famous, so we can drink it away then end up in Rehab, as long as people see us fail, that’s OK. Its hard to have a such a positive out-look when we are not really catered for in the world, We have to make this choice. Make other people’s lives better at the risk of losing our own.

There is so much competition out there, I guess it has always been the same but, the impression is that its easier to be a photographer or and artist or what ever term you want to use. I don’t think my “new” work is that bad, so why wont people pay me ? The more successful people in this line or work are the people that can handle the business side of things too. This is somewhat of an oxymoron , a business minded creative genius. They say every great man has a great person behind them, I still have not found that person, a creative mind needs balance and a place to land sometimes. Sometimes, and I can speak from experience, where minds can wonder, we do need a leash sometimes. Without that safety net, things can get a little strange for a while. But, again, this comes down to choice, are you will to let your mind go that far , are you really willing to risk that much to offer your view of the world. Tracy Emit, Geiger, Banksy and Marilyn Manson all did.

I was on the way back from London, reading Advanced Photoshop Magazine, Neil Duerden used the term PSD Artistry, it was one of the first times I thought… That’s what I do !! At 27 and a bit, that’s quite a shock. I have been working undercover as a Photographer for a couple of years now, I love it, the control, the freedom, the voice and power are all elements that the camera can give the end user, its a tool to be used and abused for self gain as a person. The Camera in this day and age is can be as powerful as a gun. A photo can make or break people’s entire lives.

Shooting weddings is very fun, rewarding even. Shooting rock shows is a blast, hitting every button along the way, working with your child hood stars, who wouldn’t! Shooting fashion is hard work and is great for a confidence boost and a pub time boast. Shooting Art is the challenge. That’s were I want to go, that’s my playground, that’s my goal. I would take the cover of Rolling Stone on the way, don’t get me wrong. But having my work hung on a random strangers wall, beats that hands down. I don’t want my work force fed to people. Take it or leave it, I am not fused at all.

Well I am, but I shall try to hide it.