What is Fine Art Photography?

Some of the professional photographers on the internet were discussing what the difference is between “Fine Art” photography and just a good photograph.  I started to say that fine art photography was what I did and just a good photograph is what they do. But I was afraid they would not see the twinkle in my eye or the laugh in my voice.

But what is the difference?  My reply is that it is a matter of time.  A fine art photograph will be remembered and enjoyed 50 years from now.  Simply a good photograph will be enjoyed now, but will draw a yawn in 50 years.  The former makes a comment about the human condition, about beauty, about God, and about family relationships. The latter is about the latest technique, gadget and trendy thing.  One speaks to the heart, while the other is glitter and glitz.

I hope that I am creating fine art photography. I want to create a   portrait that will speak to the great-grandson or great-granddaughter, but also will say something to those they share it with.  Will they see the strength, the tenderness or the love? I will let you know in another 50 years or so.

Allen

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

- Mary Oliver

My Apologies

My apologies to Paul, Karen Sculley and family for mis-spelling their names on the photogrpahs.  You guys are so sweet to overlook my awful mistakes.

ArtistAllen Blog

May 20, 2011

I was working on photographing an East African wedding (that is to say, a wedding in Atlanta whose participants were almost all from an East African country) when I thought I should start a blog.  I am not so egotistical to think that many would wait breathlessly every day to hear what I have to say, but more as a venue for some of my – more interesting photographs.  And if I wax laconic about some beauty or rant about some injustice that I see, well, you will have to forgive me, and read or not read as you so wish. Although I expect to be able to learn from my ramblings and photographic essays, this is more for those of you who might find some interest or humor. So, tell me what you enjoy via comment and I will include more (or less) as you desire.

I wanted to tell you about a trip to Florida and an excursion to Animal Kingdom, but that will come later (hopefully).  For now, I want to share with you a couple of family photographs of some dear friends of mine.

May 30th 2011 - Memorial Day

For those in the US, I hope you had a safe Memorial Day.  Can one say a happy Memorial Day?  Can you call a holiday that remembers those who died for our freedom “happy”?  Many of us, from my generation, can remember the “empty chairs and empty tables” where we and our friends celebrated life – and then they gave their lives for their country.

For the weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing at a wedding.  My task was to create portraits of the guests, which will be sent to them.  The wedding was outside, but I was very glad that I took my studio lights because I shot well after sunset.  I used three lights; a main, a fill and a hair-light. My only problem was I should have had two hair lights for the larger number families.

In celebration of families, I would like to submit another set of family photographs.  They are a wonderful family with delightful kids.  The session lasted about 30 min. and resulted in awesome photographs – and I made sure the mother got copies of all of her photographs as well as her enlargements, without breaking the bank.

Thurs. May 26th

Yesterday I heard a presentation by Anthony Robbins (thanks Dan) where he encouraged his listeners to stop and do something before they finished listening to the presentation. Today I was feeling guilty because I had not done what he said yet.
How often do we know what to do, but fail to take action to do it. The book of James in the Bible talks about looking into the law of liberty and going away forgetting what we have seen, and so deceive ourselves. I was wondering how much we do that in all areas.  Do we know what we should be doing at work, in relationships, or our calling - and yet we never move from knowledge to action?  Is that book we considered still unwritten and not started?  Is the song in our heart still not written? Do we have the seed of our destiny available to us and use excuses not to get pregnant with it - much less to give birth?
I invite you to take action. Pick up the pen, brush, book or whatever and allow the seed of destiny to germinate by your actions.  If, on the other hand, we deceive ourselves, we are really deceived!
--
Allen Penton

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
- Vincent van Gogh

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

May 25^th 2011

Forgive my lateness – or not keeping up with this blog.  Sometimes things get going so fast that it is hard to keep up.  Well, that may be an excuse, I probably just need to work on creating this as a habit.

I think last time I mentioned a wedding of an Eritrea couple. I want to post a   couple of those photos.  Nancy   and I also had the pleasure of taking a trip to Orlando, FL and then over to Titusvilllle to visit a son and daughter-in-law.  While Nancy was in meetings in Orlando, I wandered the town with my camera and captured some wild animal photos through the courtesy of Disney, so I thought I would share a couple of those with you. So for now, enjoy the photos, and maybe next time I will be less laconic.  Check out the Hippo's eyes.  For you medical folks, would this constitute a "hippo violaton"?