When most people think of art, they likely imagine beautiful oil paintings of scenic landscapes, or a hand-drawn illustration that brings them back to a beloved memory. Or perhaps they envision a colorful sculpture that represents a specific moment in time, or a work of art hung in a museum, long regarded as a masterpiece.
But of all the mediums we know and appreciate, photography is unique. Invented in the early 1800s, photography is regarded as a mechanical art form. While it may not appear as tedious as the act of painting a portrait or piecing together a stained-glass window by hand, photography is a medium that captures the most intricate details that may not even be noticeable to the naked eye.
Photography highlights the importance of perspective – two people can photograph the same subject, but the result depends entirely on their desired composition. Is one photographer closer to the subject? Is one photographing from a higher angle? What about the type of lens used? Technology can be a big help in capturing a stunning photo, but ultimately, it falls to the person behind the lens to create the art…