What is good art photography?
What is good art photography? In your mind, you will certainly already have a view of what differentiates average art photography from great art photography. In my view, the best art photography has a range of features, some of which are subjective while others are not. Let’s explore.
Does demand determine good art photography?
While it is true that art is subjective, it is also true that certain art pieces are much more sought after than others. So wait a minute - the demand of an art piece determines the greatness of it? I hope not, but yes, partially this is the case. It gives us a general sense of what intrigues people enough to want to continue looking at an image, beyond those 3 social-media-seconds everyone is so used to nowadays. People will let you know what they enjoy, which in part contributes to the formula of good art photography.
To counter my own argument above, consider this: instant noodles have a massive demand. Thousands of flavours, crazy low cost, millions sold every day. Does this make it ‘great food’? Well, it might be fun to indulge in an occasional set-back-snack, but if a Michelin star dish is up for grabs right next to that bowl of instant noodle, most wouldn’t even touch it. The same holds true for art photography. Some art photography might be quite popular, but it still might be just an average image!
Do I determine what is good art photography?
Isolated, yes, ultimately you will determine what art photography you like. You enjoy that blurry photo of a phone booth your grandma took on her vacation to the other side of town? That’s called street photography - great! That ultra-zoomed-in photo your 2 year old took of his/her own nose has been hanging on your wall for the last 5 years? We’ll call it macro art photography - awesome! Buying a 60x60” inch fine art photography of a single strand of back hair? If it brings you joy, do it!
Note that others might hate all of these. While there is a subjective aspect to what you deem to be good art photography, there certainly are some objective ones also. So…
Does the universe decide what is good art photography?
Partially! Consider this: art is ultimately something hugely interesting or fascinating to look at or experience. There is just something absolutely captivating about it. If it’s the crazy skill of the artist, something yet unseen, provocative, mysterious, out-of-the-box - whatever it is, it engages you on a different, deeper level. There are just some artworks that naturally tap into that level - a wow factor present in all of us.
Clearly there will be different degrees of this universal enjoyment for every person. Which also means good art photography can not only be determined “by the universe”. What else is there?
Does usage determine good art photography?
By usage, I mean where and how the art photography is meant to be viewed and displayed. A death metal song will not always fit in a wedding scenario. You wouldn’t suddenly break out your ballet dance moves waiting in line at the supermarket. A landscape art photo will not always look great as a 100x100 pixel profile picture.
You will find that certain art photography will look excellent on your phone screen or on social media. Consider the same photo printed out 100x larger and hanging on your living room wall: the effect is completely different. Some art photography is simply just meant for digital. Others for commercial mass prints. Yet others for limited edition large format prints. Other again for magazines, award submissions, metal vs. paper prints, postage stamps - I think you know where this is going. Usage, context and intention is everything.
I have plenty of photography that I publish on my Instagram which I would never offer for print. Many of the images are just not suitable for high-end luxury prints: if it’s the resolution, level of detail, motive, composition or whatever buzzword I throw at you - the desired effect is just not right.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for “good art photography”, keep the following in mind: consider where and how you will display the art, make sure YOU really like the piece and see if it does have that natural tendency to “wow” you and others enough for continued viewing pleasure.