Photography- An Art Form

Photography is an art form and as an art form I have absolutely no right to comment or criticize your art. I can and often do express a personal preference but that’s different from a definitive statement like “your image sucks”….even if it does 🙂 . Best I can say is something like “not my cup of tea”.

I am currently having a lively discussion with the moderator of The Toronto Street Shooters FaceBook page. Dave is organizing a group photo challenge that involves creating a story in three to seven images. I think this is a terrific idea and I am considering joining in next weekend.

But..there’s always a but LOL…but someone in the group said but no photos of homeless people (and th e CN Tower)and Dave agreed. Oh dear!

When it comes to art there is no way someone else should be dictating what’s appropriate or acceptable. (Especially when it comes to the CN Tower for heaven’s sake!)

Usually someone else’s complaint comes from a less than desirable place when it comes to seeing your art. Maybe shots of homeless people bore them (a lot do) or causes them discomfort (this is called projection) or perhaps they have a religious or moral objection (which is very popular these days).

So if we don’t allow photos of homeless people then we’d have no Lee Jeffries. Shots of children banned then no Sally Mann. No street protests (something that is happpening in Toronto all the time) then no Charles Moore. No shots of marginalized people (they used to be called freaks) then no Diane Arbus. No gay themes then don’t look at Bill Henson or Robert Mapplethorpe.

And the list goes on.