fenestration decay
Posted on July 17, 2008
Filed Under photography | Leave a Comment
fenestration decay
I’ve been really fascinate by decay lately. Truthfully I don’t know if it’s some sort of manifestation of mortal fears or what. Having children really seems to dramatically change one’s outlook on life. I, for example, never worried about what would happen should an early demise rob this planet of my presence. Now, however, I have real fears that aren’t seemingly selfish.
I worry about my children and my wife. Will they be taken care of? How will they cope, not financially, but emotionally. Personally I can’t imagine having to take care of my kiddos without my wife. While I consider myself a good dad, I don’t think I could handle it!
So these thoughts creep into my art. How do other things stand the tests of time? What survives? What doesn’t?
Rust has suddenly become a very beautiful substance to me. The image above is an old window littered with old paint, broken panes, some cracks and a little patch work. While the window has been abused by nature and humans alike, still it stands there. Against all odds this window looks right back at time and says “Gimme all you got!”.
Many Changes Coming
Posted on July 16, 2008
Filed Under Blogging, Personal, Rant, local, photography | Leave a Comment
Things have been rather hectic in my own little world as of late.
Brent and I are working on a project together (actually several) and I’ve been working on getting all of my artwork in a more cohesive order.
With the launch of Discovered Artists website I’ve decided to change a few things in my work-flow. The photoblog A Cognitive State of Mind will no longer be “active”. I’ll probably just take it down soon and have it point to here for the time being. In its place (later) I will have a “proper” flash gallery. I’ve just found myself much too busy to upload an image everyday as is the proper practice for a photoblog. Besides, I’ve needed a gallery for some time and that URL already has incoming links so why waste them right?
Furthermore, I will begin “cleaning” up my Flickr account and removing many images from the site. I have been contemplating this decision for many weeks and have decided to take more caution in the images that are representative of me as an artist, no matter where those images are viewed. In essence I will use the Flickr account as a secondary gallery.
Here at Damien Franco dot Com I will be posting much more frequently and sharing images along the way as well. I feel there will be more of an emphasis on Fine Art Photography as a recurring topic, but certainly I will use this medium to rant and rave as I choose.
Lastly, Heather (my wife) and I are starting yet another blog (her first!). Because we live in a town completely devoid of exceptional customer service we often times find ourselves frustrated (even infuriated) by the service we receive while dinning. I’ve worked as a waiter before so I know it’s hard, but there is absolutely no reason we should be receiving the service we receive. I will be getting some business cards made with the website URL on the front and text on the back stating “You’ve just served the authors of MidlandDining.net” or something to that effect. We’ll give one to the server and one to the manager so they can see how bad or good their service was. We’ve been talking about doing this for a while and I feel it’s one case where maybe, just maybe, a couple of people can really make a difference. While that website won’t be updated too often (we only go out to eat about once a week) I think it will hit home for some people and hopefully others will get the benefits of our labors. Maybe the service industry in this town will start to turn around, maybe not. It should be fun though. I’m willing to bet the comments section gets a little nasty after the site has gained momentum.
That’s it for now. Cheers!
Defining Fine Art Photography: Introverted
Posted on June 24, 2008
Filed Under photography | 4 Comments
Photographers can fall into many arrays of category as their hobby or profession would designate. As I work my way into the realm of Fine Art Photography it seems there is a buzz around the photo-blogosphere asking What is Fine Art Photography?
Defining myself as a Fine Art Photographer came with a deep look into many different aspects of this same question.
Was it the process?
The process of producing images takes on a whole different meaning than say “taking pictures”. Conceptualizing an image from the moment of capture to print should, perhaps, maintain an integrity consistent with evoking feeling. The particular feelings produced by an image, possibly deemed “Fine Art”, don’t themselves define the print as art. The photographer deems works of art as art, but who agrees?
Is it the viewer?
I think there could be an argument that the viewer of the print, or image as it were, might in fact be the best judge of what should or shouldn’t be deemed Fine Art Photography. So what if the viewer isn’t classically trained in the aspects of aesthetics, design, or composition? Shouldn’t the general public define what is Fine Art in general? Hasn’t it always been so?
Not necessarily. In the past there has always been a small group of people that have pushed the artist before the general public. Before the vast expanses of the Internet we, as a society, were told who was an artist and who was a hack. Now, anyone with an Internet connection and some insight into social media marketing could potentially label themselves a Fine Artist. And if they successfully sell enough of their work to the general mass would that qualify them as a Fine Art Photographer?
Is there a need for validation?
I tend to think there is. But I come from a classically trained background in the world of art itself. While I have found many wonderful photographers with great skill and stunning vision I don’t necessarily think of them as Fine Art Photographers (at times I struggle to label myself in such a way). I still believe in a consensus of validation from those in the industry of Fine Art.
I believe, however, that you can label yourself as a Fine Art Photographer or produce work that is Fine Art Photography if you are placing yourself at the mercy of those who may be more qualified to validate your work (call it Fine Art Photographer in practice if you must). As I am in the process of getting together all of my prints into portfolios (you know, the real tangible and physical portfolios that you can hold) and making contacts in the industry, I will be submitting my work to panels, reviews, critics…
Does that make me a Fine Art Photographer in practice?
I think it does. One of the hardest parts of truly studying art as a profession is placing your soul on the table and letting the critics do their worst. It truly takes thick skin, an appreciation for the practice, and the ability to actually learn from an art critic. They truly do hold power in this industry and, while you will never please them all, your goal should in fact be to gain both their praise and acceptance. It truly can be an archaic process, but the tormented soul of an artist should be able to overcome all obstacles.
The upper echelon of the Fine Art World is no less competitive than any other industry. It should be held, in fact, to higher standards than most any other profession, for it can not be taught, it can only be honed. It has to be in you from the beginning.
But these are just my thoughts and questions.
Some might argue that these are tired ways and the modern view would change the Art World, turning it on its head (nose in the air and all). Maybe it will. I think the age of the Internet will in fact bring us a whole new slew of artists (some Fine Artists some not) and the world will be better for it. For right now though, you still have to get your physical portfolio into the hands of those few who can truly “put you on the map”.
The funny thing is that after you have successfully been deemed, by those in the industry, as a tried and true “Fine Artist” every work you have done prior to the acclaimed label is now acceptable as “Fine Art”.
If you’re lucky you won’t already be dead when this happens.
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