Positions and Practice – Photo-artist or photographer
This week I came across the term ‘photo-artist’ for the first time when a fellow student used the term in one of our discussions. But what is a photo-artist? In my opinion this is a photographer that uses photographic equipment and their vision/aesthetic to produce a photograph that is considered artwork.
I consider myself a photo-artist as well as a photographer. I don’t produce photographs that show the viewer the events of the world. I produce images that are unique and creative. I like to experiment and see how far I can push a creative idea. My work is intended to be viewed as art, and not as simply a record of an event. I have my own voice and I like using it.
These days I have a wide range of tools and equipment at my disposal which enable me to create my images. I currently use a Holga, a 35mm Nikon F3 film camera, a Mamiyaflex C2 TLR, a mirrorless Sony camera, my iPhone as well as several Nikon DSLRs. Any of these can produce a beautiful piece of artwork. Each has a place. And not forgetting that there is the option to post-process with Photoshop (among others).
My practice has been developing along the artwork route in recent months. I am constantly looking for ideas as to how I can embellish or manipulate an image to create something unique. Does this make me less of a photographer? Of course not. It just means I have a different viewpoint to more traditional photographers.