Comments on: Is Photography Dead?

by: Andrew Brooks

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:30:00 +0000

I agree with Greg, seems that photography is splitting in 2 somewhat.

From very straight imagery that pushes the fact that the image was taken in one shot and left pretty unaltered, which I think sometimes comes across really honest simple and stripped down photography. then the more photography illustrator style which leans on photoshop or other post production tools. It feels quite exciting to me, that you can almost create new worlds with photography these days.

And as people get there head round the idea of more photo illustration type photography, it might help define the art form for people.

by: Christopher Bush

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:47:27 +0000

@Alan

And the 90’s realism was a reaction to the gloss of the 80s. It follows music, somewhat. We just have to suffer through this synth-pop phase….again.

by: Gregg White

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:31:43 +0000

I have commented on this elsewhere, I half agree. I have narrowed it down to the surreal and/or trying not to try look that has encompassed contemporary photography for several years. As Eric said I dont feel photography is threatened, I just feel maybe photography needs to take a step back to its classic intention which is to capture. I also feel that this contempoorary photography maybe needs to be given its own area in the art world and refered to photo illustration as some say. As in “I am a photo Illustrator…” or “I am a photographer…” Are we ready for that designation? This is just meant to be a little constructive criticism. I can not be the first to think of this, can I?

by: Alan B. Smythee

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:41:21 +0000

My theory is that the over-photoshopped look is a reaction to the late ’90’s style, the “real” people look. The pedestrian-like photographer exposing all the blemishes, dark circles, awkwardness, etc….. of the celebrity and/or model. These talents feeling exploited hired publicist, who rose to power by demanding all their clients always look their best or none of their clients would be in the offending publication…….. just my theory.

by: Eric Hamilton

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:18:09 +0000

I certainly don’t think that Photography is threatened. If anything, more photographers means more great photography. You just have to sort through larger piles of crap to get to the good stuff.