But is it art?

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We are all familiar with the phrase, ‘But is it art?’ It’s an expression often applied to a painting, sculpture or collection of ‘stuff’ assembled to represent an artist’s interpretation or impression. Most times, it’s uttered when the viewer has no comprehension whatsoever of what the artist intended. It’s amplified when the artist wins an award, acclaim or high recognition for something we don’t understand. And it’s sometimes accompanied by the expression, “You’ve gotta be joking.’

Is photography any different? It depends how you look at it. Photography is frequently defined as painting with light. 'Painting' would suggest the photographer is an artist - someone who creates art.

But on the udder hand, Darren, photography is seen by many as accurately capturing reality – a process using a mechanical or, lately, digital device.  A photograph is, as near as damnit, a replication of what the eye saw – give or take a few missing nuances like the third dimension, etc. ChatGPT says ‘photography captures a real moment in space-time coordinates’, whatever that means. It goes further to suggest, ‘Photography becomes art when it moves beyond documentation into interpretation.’

Then, just when photographers felt their work was irrevocably confined to the dungeons of the visual capture of reality, achievable by anyone with a scientific or mathematical brain - nothing more - someone invented a photographic category called, ‘Creative Art Photography.’ But wait, there's more - there's also ‘Fine art photography.’ And, again, there's a difference.

Suddenly a whole world of imagery has opened up. If you’ve got a few hours to spare, try Googling ‘Creative art photography’ and then clicking ‘Images’ on the Tool bar. Believe me, you will be astonished, as was I. Some of the creativity is simply mind blowing. The concept of capturing reality has been stretched far, far beyond mundane imagination. It’s no longer a matter of ‘An artist creates, while a photographer records reality.’

By the way, this picture is of paint peeling off a gun housing in Simonstown naval base.

So, next time you think, ‘But is it art?’ think again.