Re: [Leica] What is fine art photography?

[Nick Poole <nick.botton@camphill.org.uk>]

Thanks George, for posting all this!

I mentioned earlier to Martin Howard that I knew of no "workable"
definition of art, but in view of this variety it would perhaps have
been better to have said "inclusive"! Just goes to show how elusive
the concept really is.
Nick.

George Lottermoser wrote:

>art1 (ärt) n.
>1. Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the
>work of nature.
>2.a. The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors,
>forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the
>sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in
>a graphic or plastic medium. b. The study of these activities. c.
>The product of these activities; human works of beauty considered
>as a group.
>3. High quality of conception or execution, as found in works of
>beauty; aesthetic value.
>4. A field or category of art, such as music, ballet, or
>literature.
>5. A nonscientific branch of learning; one of the liberal arts.
>6.a. A system of principles and methods employed in the
>performance of a set of activities: the art of building. b. A
>trade or craft that applies such a system of principles and
>methods: the art of the lexicographer.
>7.a. Skill that is attained by study, practice, or observation:
>the art of the baker; the blacksmith's art. b. Skill arising from
>the exercise of intuitive faculties: "Self-criticism is an art
>not many are qualified to practice" (Joyce Carol Oates).
>8.a. arts. Artful devices, stratagems, and tricks. b. Artful
>contrivance; cunning.
>9. Printing. Illustrative material.
>[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin ars, art-. See ar-
>below.]
>
>SYNONYMS: art, craft, expertise, knack, know-how, technique. The
>central meaning shared by these nouns is "skill in doing or
>performing that is attained by study, practice, or observation":
>the art of expressing oneself clearly; pottery that reveals craft
>and fine workmanship; political expertise; a knack for teaching;
>the know-how to sew one's own clothes; an outstanding keyboard
>technique.
>
>art0work (ärt2wûrk1) n.
>1. Work in the graphic or plastic arts, especially small handmade
>decorative or artistic objects.
>2. An illustrative and decorative element, such as a line drawing
>or a photograph, used in a printed work, such as a book.
>
>work of art n., pl. works of art.
>1. A product of the fine arts, especially a painting or
>sculpture.
>2. Something likened to a fine artistic work, as by reason of
>beauty or craft.
>
>art0ist (är2t¾st) n. Abbr. art.
>1. One, such as a painter or sculptor, who is able by virtue of
>imagination and talent to create works of aesthetic value,
>especially in the fine arts.
>2. A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or
>skill: You are an artist in the kitchen.
>3. One, such as an actor or a singer, especially one who works in
>the performing arts.
>4. One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving
>trickery or deceit: a con artist.
>
>George