Freo Graphic

July 2021 FREO GRAPHIC 6 FREO EXTRAS • What’s the lighting like in this photo? Is it artificial or natural, controlled or spontaneous? We often take photos without thinking about or appreciating our abilities. Your answers won’t give you any specific results, but they will give you a better idea of the kind of work you create. Taking the time to study your work will help you sharpen that fine art photography instinct. Fine Art Should Make You Feel Something In his podcast about art, photographer Martin Bailey perfectly described fine art. No matter how unusual or simple the subject is, it will make you feel things. It doesn’t have to inspire you to go out and conquer the world. But it might speak to your heart through its beauty, its colours, or its subject’s pose. Some fine art photos won’t speak to you through anything at all. Their simple existence will just remind you of a personal experience. They can create feelings of nostalgia, sadness, joy, or something completely different. Here’s an example. Even though this photo was taken in Georgia, it reminds me of my hometown, a place that’s far away from Georgia. Thanks to the cat and summery atmosphere, I’m reminded of my childhood. I feel at home when I look at this portrait. Depending on your life experiences, you’ll probably feel something different when you look at this image. What do you feel when you look at it? What kind of photos have the biggest impact on you? Expose Yourself to Your Versions of Fine Art The definition of beauty is flexible. Nobody can tell you what should or shouldn’t be fine art. The best way to create fine art photos that you love is to expose yourself to your version of art. Study your favourite photographers’ photos. Find artists whose work makes you feel, no matter how obscure or popular their genre is. The more images you expose yourself to, the easier it will be to discover your taste. Don’t worry about subconsciously copying their ideas or styles. Once you have a better idea of what you admire about art, you’ll be able to take photos that accurately and uniquely reflect that admiration. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few photographers whose work is considered fine art by many artists: 1. Paul Apal’Kin takes photos of people in studios. 2. Rosie Hardy photographs people in magical locations. 3. Daniel Fleischhacker captures the true beauty of nature. 4. Alexandra Sophie takes atmospheric photos of women. 5. Yuichiro Miyano photographs people in square format.