I'm currently reading An American Century of Photograpy: From Dry Plate to Digital.
In the late 1800's and early part of the 20th century, the big issues in the photographic world were:
-Professional Photographers were concerned that the new camera technologies made photography too easy for the masses and would soon put them out of business.
-Vitriolic discussion over whether photography (and certain types of photography) could be considered art.
-Heated arguments over the acceptability and desirability of photo-manipulation in various circumstances.
"It has become a popular belief that all the difficulties have been removed, and that anyone can take pictures. Photography has been degraded to the level of a mere sport, and many take it up, as they do lawn tennis, merely for an amusement, without a though of the grand and elevating possibilities it opens up to them."
-Editorial from the first issue of American Ameateur Photographer in 1889.
"There is no better way to instruct the public, in regard to our art, than to have them try it for themselves."
-"A Word in Defense of the Amateur" S.D. Wardlaw
"[the amateur represents] a sharp thorn in the professional's side."
I find this very interesting. This has piqued my curiosity. I'm going to look into this book. I guess it goes to show that history does repeat itself. Let's hope we can learn from it, and continue to improve our art and passion.
I really enjoy your posts. They are very thought provoking - which encourages learning. And learning is something we can never get enough of.
Patrick
Evan Baines wrote:
-Heated arguments over the acceptability and desirability of photo-manipulation in various circumstances.
Cool quotes. Same debate every time the technology makes it more accessible to more people.
"-Professional Photographers were concerned that the new camera technologies made photography too easy for the masses and would soon put them out of business." Prostitutes in the late '60's-early '70's probably felt threatened, the same way, by the free love movement.
I like his reference to, "the grand and elevating possibilities it opens up to them". You don't hear much about that these days. In my late teens to early 20's, I considered sculpture my spiritual path. It was very powerful and amazing. Trying to make a living at it was a whole different thing.
I find this very interesting. This has piqued my curiosity. I'm going to look into this book. I guess it goes to show that history does repeat itself. Let's hope we can learn from it, and continue to improve our art and passion.
I really enjoy your posts. They are very thought provoking - which encourages learning. And learning is something we can never get enough of.
Patrick
Do you think they used Adobe Candleroom 2.0?
Its a good book. Not exactly a page-turner, but lots of good info. I spent my "professional development day" yesterday reading it. Lucky for me, I was able to read it at the Frist Center which currently houses the Eastman Collection, and I was able to view many of the referenced prints in person.
I dunno about Candleroom, but its quite remarkable the extent of manipulation some of these folks achieved in the darkroom.... Yesterday I was looking at a Albumin print from 1858 constructed as a composite of five negatives. Even knowing that it was a composite, it was challenging to find any evidence of "photoshop:" a more believable edit than in many mags currently on the racks.
This post goes hand in hand with so many other posts in here over the past couple weeks, that it really is perfect timing. What it ALL comes down to is your eye behind the tool you have chosen, and the way you present it as a final product. That's all we can do. Are we persuaded by others? Sure. Do they have they same gear (easy access to gear) as you do? Sure? Do they have many of the same intentions as you do? Yep.
But it's your eye, and it's your vision.
Like everything else, things will repeat themselves. Like Evan pointed out, this has happened before. The importance of the survival of exploration and technology is that it creates more opportunities than problems. Our economy is based on the fact the we can enable them with produsts that we produce.
Things don't change. People want stuff, and people make it. Technology, will at times, empower people enough to believe they can accomplish the "simple". Photography just happens to be one of those areas most people think they can do if they just have the latest camera and lens.
They're defensive because photography is heavily dependent on machines and technology. The ones who feel threatened are giving too much credit to the technology.
"-Professional Photographers were concerned that the new camera technologies made photography too easy for the masses and would soon put them out of business."
i wonder if anyone can come up with quotes illustrating how pro photogs fare in times of recession and depression throughout the last 125 years.
Its a good book. Not exactly a page-turner, but lots of good info. I spent my "professional development day" yesterday reading it. Lucky for me, I was able to read it at the Frist Center which currently houses the Eastman Collection, and I was able to view many of the referenced prints in person.
Now theres an idea I like, may even become a belated new years resolution.
abam wrote: "-Professional Photographers were concerned that the new camera technologies made photography too easy for the masses and would soon put them out of business."
i wonder if anyone can come up with quotes illustrating how pro photogs fare in times of recession and depression throughout the last 125 years.
Your wish is my command:
[regarding the 1930's] "The medium's democratic appeal resulted in burgeoning sales of film, cameras, and darkroom equipment By the end of the decade over 5,000 camera clubs were in existence across the nation. In addition to making photographs in ever-increasing numbers, Americans consumed them as never before. The Depression era's thirst for reaslism accelerated the use of photography in the mass media. During the 1930's alone, newspapers increased their use of photographs by 37%."
from An American Century of Photography: From Dry Plate to Digital by Keith F. Davis
"In addition to influencing the overall look of commercial photography, Stiechen elevated the status (and rewards) of the profession. Demanding fees of $500 to $1000 per-picture, he observed in 1932 that his greatest achievement in photography was to have raised prices."
ibid.
I don't think these quotes should necessarily paint a rosy picture of how the arts fare during times of economic turmoil. However, many art historians credit times of turmoil like The Great Depression with promoting higher standards of more meaningful art. From a purely commercial perspective, times like these assuredly place great pressure upon businesses of all kinds, especially those providing "luxury" services. Nonetheless, it would be a mistake to assume that tough economic times spell inevitable doom for professional photographers. Indeed, wily professionals may even find heretofore unseen opportunities.
Evan Baines wrote:
Photographers have been defensive for well over a century now. At least we can blame our heritage then.....
I think it is very interesting that photographers now and in the past feel that way.
Do you think that artists like Picasso and thinkers like Plato felt that way too since it was easy to buy a canvas and brush and everyone has the ability to think? I don't think they did. I could be wrong though.
I just don't really spend any time worrying that the newest camera will make Joe Blo be able to create a great image, or give him a personality (which sells WAY better than good photos do).
I think we should spend time honing our craft instead of worrying about the cool new cameras.
