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David Patterson
Seen In Everyday Life: How the Meaning of Photographers and the Art of
The Sunday newspaper is full of sports, headline news stories, and ads. The sports
section showing the local sports teams stats, the headline news stories discussing
some of the racy and interesting topics of today, but the ads are full of the latest
electronics of today. Best Buy, Target, and Walmart all show ads for electronics
including cameras. Prices for cameras can range from twenty dollars to two-thousand
dollars. Ads and todays generation can give people the idea that if they have an
expensive camera they can be “professional” photographers. This is not true. The true
meaning of what a photographer is and the art of photography has fluctuated negatively
camera’s. However, with a further understanding of ones own camera and studies of the
topic through credible classes, the true meaning of what a photographer is and the art of
Famous Influences
Famous photographers impact our day-to-day lives, and many people do not realize
it. For instance, Andy Warhol is a famous Pop-Culture photographer and said to be one
of the most influential artists of the late 20th century. His name is heard around the
world, and his art is viewed with the adoration of many. Warhol caught the eye of many
people by basing his artwork off of simple objects like soda bottles and dollar bills. He is
most known for repeating multiple variations of one image in a larger piece of work,
basing his work off of simple objects, he often created images with iconic figures such
as Jacqueline Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. Warhol also became a filmmaker in the
mid 60’s, using what some would call “startling” projection techniques. Some of his later,
and most known films include Dracula and Frankenstein which were both made in 1974.
All in all, Andy Warhol has been a great influence on photography and is a great
example isn’t just someone who can use a fancy camera (“Andy Warhol”).
However, Diane Arbus’ name may not be as well known as Andy Warhol’s but she is
still said to be one of “America’s Best known photographers.” Some of her images were
greatly seen as controversial and disturbing. Arbus once said her pictures were out to
seek “the space between who someone is and who they think they are.” She didn’t take
photographs to please people, she took them to show a different side of life and to
capture different meanings even if it wasn’t well liked by the general population. Her
images often showed the side of life “that seem to reflect our deepest fears and most
private wishes” (DeCarlo). With her camera, Arbus captured vulnerability, depression,
discomfort, and isolation of her subjects (Kallen 28). Her artwork drew crowds, not only
to criticize but to praise the beauty of the work. Despite some of Arbus’ darker work, in
their younger years her and her husband, who was also quite an established
photographer, worked as a team. Arbus often was the set designer and her husband
took the photos. The power couple even had photos featured in Vogue Magazine. Arbus
herself was said to be an amazing woman, her personality bubbled with curiosity, she
was unpredictable, and incredibly intelligent. Though her personality and artwork shined
unexplainably, all of it was soon shadowed over by her suicide. She died in 1971 at the
age of 48. A year after she died the Museum of Modern Art in New York City showcased
some of her later work, which was considerably darker and more disturbing.
Nevertheless, through her hard times and unpredictable personality she opened the
eyes of many to the art in photography and was yet another example that a
Aside from famous photographers, many people today collect basketball cards,
baseball cards, and cards with their favorite celebrities on them. This originated from a
fad that started in 1860. For the time era, the “famous” people were usually royalty and
politicians not star athletes and boy bands. They were mass produced and sold to
normal, everyday people. Over the years the size of the cards have gotten gotten
smaller, and even bigger. The original size of the cards were about two and a half
inches by four inches, which is the size of most photo cards today. In the 1860’s photo
cards were even considered “fashionable” to carry around with you. In short, the photo
card fad has shown that there is much more to the art of photography than fashion and
eye catching photos, its about sowing everyday people its beauty and power (Kallen
31-48).
Generally speaking, photography isn’t just about capturing the moment a super
model walks on the runway or the latest clothes in the fashion industry. Often times it’s
important message across. There are many different types of photography that are
surrealism can be considered strange because the art itself is made up of illogical
scenes that let the “unconscious” to express itself, concept, or idea. One of the more
common types of art is self-expressionism, where the artist creates an image through
photography, painting, sketching, and even writing to express their thoughts, emotions,
and the world around them (Kallen 31-48). All things considered, these different types of
art all play a major role in photography and art of all kind, and help create the true
As a result from all the different themes in photography, there is a lot of criticism. Not
only is the theme or type of images criticized but also the photographer. For example,
Martin Parr’s creations are considered “offensive,” but that doesn’t stop him from taking
express attitudes and odd opinions.” Over the years, photo’s have become “racier”
because of the society we live in. As a result of photos becoming “racier,” everyday
pictures are harshly criticized. On the whole, even though photographers and their work
are harshly criticized every, for both good and bad, the photographers brush it off and
allow only their opinion to justify their own works of art (Kallen 77).
The Camera Itself
Above all, without the invention of the camera there would be no such thing as
photography. Dating all the way back to the 1820’s, light was recorded light reflected off
objects to make an image. Whereas today, “Digital camera’s record light onto a
computer chip while older camera’s preserve it on film, but all photography depends on
manipulation of light” (Kallen 8). In 1839 Louis Daguerre officially announced the art of
photography with his invention of the daguerreotype. “For the first time exact images of
people and objects could be stored and brought back whenever needed” (Eby 22).
Roughly five decades later, than first handheld camera was invented by George
Eastman with the help of Kodak in 1888 (Thompson 1). Mainly in the 21st century is
when the “do-it-yourself” idea of photography started. Not only did hand held cameras
become more advanced and popular, but in today’s world anyone can take a photo with
their mobile phone. Publishing rates and sales for the photography industry are rising
everyday because it is now a part of our everyday lives (Publishers). In the long run,
being a photographer is about more than having a fancy and expensive camera, its
about knowing the history and how the art came to be because its plays such an
Taking Photos
understand how to use and understand you camera. You also need to know tips and
tricks, especially when taking pictures in cold weather. Cold weather can effect the
batteries of your camera, so always keep extras handy in you pockets. The batteries in
cameras die faster in colder weather, so keep the extra’s in your pockets so they stay
warm. Camera’s can be very expensive to replace, and when they are taken from a
cozy warm house to the frigid temperatures of the winter, the moisture from
condensation can damage camera’s. (Sheremeta). Taking care of your camera and
knowing how to use it in all situations is one of the many tasks you need to know when
taking photo’s. All in all, being a photographer is about much more than having a
camera, learning how to take pictures and use your camera is one of the many critical
Developing Photo’s
With attention to taking photos, since photography has been around, there have been
many different ways and methods of developing film. From hand developing film with
chemicals (which is still used today, but very rare), to what we know as polaroids with
“chemicals contained in individual film cards” allowing instant development. With the
advancements in technology today, you can print your photos right at home. There are
also websites like Shutterfly, that allow you to create collages, calendars, and scrap
books on the website and to be printed at a high quality. Developing photo’s has been a
high part of photography’s history because it has changed greatly along with the
is important when you are a photographer because different ways of developing can
change the way an image looks, not knowing how to use the automatic settings on a
camera.
Is Photography More than a Hobby?
However, many people think nothing more of photography than it just being a hobby,
telescopes, finding shock waves, warm air currents and so much more (“Photography”
160 - 180). Sarah Dolley, an art teacher at Gorham High school talks about
photography, “I think it’s more of an impact than reading something,” relating to the
impact it has had and how it had been used as tool (Dolley). For example it was “used
name Jo Spence used it to document her cancer experience to show the world what
she really went through. All things considered, without photography or film we wouldn’t
have the news spreading the word about current events that are important in our lives
and we wouldn’t have visual records that help teach us more about our history (Kallen
78).
Similarly, photography has helped showing the reality of real world situations to
people who are unaware. It has helped spreading the word about diseases, disorders,
and deaths. It has also shown how times have changed and how the world has
transformed views and values over time. It has opened up the worlds eyes to
homosexuals, punk rockers, hippies and other outsiders from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.
Most of these pictures were taken by these “outsiders” showing the pain, suffering, and
struggles they have gone through (Kallen 81). All in all, photography is much, much
more than a hobby or a career. It is part of our everyday lives whether we realize it or
not.
All in all, photography is so much more than just a hobby. It is used as a visual tool in
our everyday lives. Ads in the newspaper, pictures in textbooks, and expression of
emotion and events. The real photographers are the ones to be grateful for these
pictures. They take their work seriously and aren’t brought down by advancements in
technology that are taking away from their work. Just because you have a top of the line
camera doesn’t mean you take the best pictures or that you’re considered a
photographer. To be a photographer you have to know your camera manually not just
on automatic. You need to know the history and the great people that made the art of
and the art of photographer has deteriorated because high-tech camera’s are available
to everyone giving people the idea that if they have a nice camera, they are a
photographer. However, with a further understanding of ones own camera, and studies
of the topic through credible classes the true meaning of what a photographer is and the
The Art Of Photography. Publishers Weekly 261.15 (2014): 20-25. Literary Reference
DeCarlo, Tessa. "A Fresh Look At Diane Arbus." Smithsonian 35.2 (2004): 68.
Eby, Lloyd. In The Mind's Eye: Our Emerging Visual Culture. World & I 14.9 (1999): 22.
Images of the World. Washington D.C: National Geographic Society, 1981. Print.
Johnson, Brooks. Photography Speaks / 150 Photographers on their Art. New York:
Kallen, Stuart A. Eye on Art, Photography. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomas Gale, 2007.
Print.
(HDEHP) Based Polymer Ligand Film (PLF) For Plutonium Extraction." J ournal
Sheremeta, Rick. 10 Tips For Better Winter Photography. Shutterbug 44.3 (2015):
Thompson, Clive. The Invention Of The "Snapshot" Changed The Way We Viewed The