One again my blogging friend, Rebecca Budd, has tantalized me with an interesting question about whether photographic portraits are art in the same way as a painting is art. You can read her post here: https://chasingart.com/2021/03/19/fridaypainting-english-photographer-portrait-of-virginia-woolf/
I have always thought that photographs count as art, but that could be because I grew up with photographs. My dad had a camera and we always had our pictures taken. Some were spontaneous and some were posed. He didn’t take as many pictures as people take now with digital cameras, but we still have a fair number .
Are all these photographs art? Well no, I don’t think just any picture is necessarily art, it could be a family memory, but certain photographs capture a moment in time or a setting in a unique way that makes them art in my mind’s eye.
Here are a few pictures of mine that I think of as being more along the lines of photographic art:
Do you think photographs can be art?
roberta-writes.com 
Absolutely! Photography IS an art. Whether talent or happenstance, I have seen some photographs that have been rather impressive. BTW, your photos here are first-rate, tell stories, and leave the heart with a smile.
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Thank you, Annette. Some people take wonderful pictures. I am very haphazard but I occasionally take one that makes me happy for some or other reason. Michael in the batter is a personal favourite of mine. Photos are a bit like haikus or tanka poems.
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As to whether they are art or not is more for an academically-minded person to decide, all I know is that I like them.
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A great answer, Danny. So do I. I love photographs, especially personal ones, although I like places too.
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I think they can be. I love the ones you included.
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Hi Staci, some photographs are incredible. I only get the odd better shot, but I have not studied up on photography. Maybe one day if I get tired of writing.
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I agree with you Robbie. Photography is an art and the first picture that you’ve shared clearly validate our point. Lovely shots. Thanks for sharing those cute ones of your sons.
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Hi Balroop, I am glad you like that first picture, it is one of my best. I am not a great photographer, but I get the odd one that I really like.
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Yes, undoubtedly they can be seen as an art form. Being in a studio with a professional photographer doing a photo shoot removes any doubt about that!
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Yes, some people are incredibly talented with photography, Clive. I have also seen the pro’s working.
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ABSOLUTELY! Photography is an artistic form of expression that involves perspective, composition, color and more…it also captures all emotions, like humor – the chocolate shot!
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Hi John, I absolutely agree. I love that shot. Michael is so adorable.
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I do think photography can be art. The cake batter one is priceless. That must have been back in the day before they said that raw egg was not good for you – LOL. Great shots.
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Hi Janet, thank you for adding your thoughts. I have a few of those cake batter pictures, but Michael’s expression in this one it just to cute.
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I do Robbie, if the photo is taken with love it shows ..and your photos exude love 💜
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Hi Willow, thank you, I appreciate you comment. Congratulations on your success with the Sue Vincent Rodeo Challenge. I loved your piece.
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Thank you Robbie, I did not know about that until you said! I delighted. I meant what I said about your photos 💜💜💜
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This is an easy one for me. Our daughter attended art school and graduated with a BFA – she tried everything, but majored in photography. Not every photograph is art, nor is every painting. Your photographs are beautiful, and they are art.
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You are very kind, Dan. I am trying to improve my photography and get the odd better shot. Photography can definitely be art and some people are really amazing at it. I look at their pictures and try to learn from them. Congratulations to your daughter, I think a good photographer has excellent opportunities in life.
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These were great. 🙂 Yes I think photography can be art.
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I definitely thing that photography is art, Robbie.
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It is a form of art, Miriam. Some people are more artistic with their compositions and photos than others, just like all art.
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That’s true, Robbie. I’ve seen the artistic photos.
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Some pictures are absolutely art. Then again, some really aren’t. Not everyone with a camera is an artist just as not everyone who tries to paint is an artist. And finally, art is in the eyes of the beholder. What I think is art you may not like. Art is complicated and so are peoples’ tastes.
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I agree with you 100%, Marilyn. Art is individual and in the eyes of the beholder. I love looking at photographs, especially of flowers and birds.
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I love our conversations, Robbie. I consider that the photos you included in this post are art. I have been going through my father’s photo that date back to my great grandparents. I am certain that these photos were not considered art at the time they were taken, but they are definitely art now. We cannot limit the definition of art. Thank you for this post – life affirming!!!
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Hi Rebecca, thank you, I’m glad you like my pictures. I am not a great photographer, but I have a few that I think capture something a little more than just everyday life. Some people’s photographs are amazing and have a depth that pulls you right into them.
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I definitely think photographs can be art. There are exhibits in museum of nothing but photographs. I love your photos, they tell a story, elicit conversation and make me smile.
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Thank you, Carla. My photos are quite ordinary, but these ones have a little more than most. I am glad they make you smile.
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in most art museums I have been to, I generally prefer the photographic images as opposed to the artsy images…
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I do like art, Jim, but I like photographs too. Mine aren’t anything special but some people have so much talent.
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as much I like seeing a nice photo, I often think that anybody could have done that. I just don’t enough about photography and perhaps don’t appreciate the skill that some photographers have. It often seems that the most important skill for such a person is being at the right place at the right time…
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I think there is more to a photographic composition than being in the right place at the right time. I think there is definitely an understanding of colours, light and placement the same as for a painting. It is just a different form of art and more accessible to many people.
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I am sure there is, but I just don’t appreciate it as much as I should. It’s like other forms of art as well. Sometimes I look at some modern art, and I think a preschooler could have done that 🙂
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Photographs are art, Robbie and yours tell a lovely story. ❤
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Thank you, Jane, I’m glad you like them.
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Anything can be or make art in my opinion. I really like the colors in these. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. I am also very broad minded about art.
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Great pictures, Robbie!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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These are wonderful, Robbie! Yes, definitely art, except better- they have memories attached to them ❤
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Yes, that is true. I love photographs.
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Great post and photos, Robbie. Yes, it is art since its a view through the eye that captures the image and moment–all unique.
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I think it’s a form of art, Denise, a bit like freestyle poetry, there are not as many rules and more freedom of expression and choice.
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I didn’t think photographs could be art until I read an article in which Ansel Adams discussed how he had manipulated his iconic images in the darkroom. That changed my mind!!
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Michael is learning how to manipulate photographs – it’s marvelous.
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Wonderful! Will you be sharing some of his creations?
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I will do that, Liz, they are quite interesting.
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are photographs art? Short answer is………… sometimes, but very rarely. 99.9% will stay as a photograph but a few can be elevated to the status of art!
I have seen untold numbers of pictures held up as artwork but like beauty,It’s in the eye isn’t it. Adams did some great works! A true master of the black and white. Now thats not to say all of his work was great! I saw a picture in his gallery in Yosemite I would of thrown away and they were asking $80,000 for it! Go figure……?
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That does sound very much like everything else in life. Once people have established a name in a field, there work sells regardless of whether it is good or not. It is the same with books, Wayne.
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or they die?
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Haha, yes, or they die. That is also a good way to get famous but I’m not ready to do that yet.
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