The Responsibility of Photography in the Arts

Has Photography Cheapened Art?

Many have debated whether photography "cheapened" art or transformed it. The truth is that it did both.

Changing Perception of Art:

Photography challenged traditional notions of what constituted art. Before photography, creating a visual representation of reality required significant skill and time. The great works of artists like Caravaggio or Michelangelo resulted from immense dedication, skill, and a deep engagement with their medium. These artists spent years, if not decades, mastering their craft, reflecting on their work, and imbuing their creations with layers of meaning and emotion. The process itself was slow, deliberate, and required a profound level of thought and discipline. As a result, their works invite a similar level of engagement from the viewer or listener—they demand time, attention, and contemplation.

In many ways, the art of the Renaissance or the music of the Classical period set a standard for cultural depth and intellectual engagement. These works were not just about the finished product but about the process of creation and the cultivation of skills and virtues that went into them. They represented the pinnacle of human achievement and were valued not just for their beauty but for what they said about the artist's understanding of the world, humanity, and how they’d like to shape it. These traditional works of art not only demanded the personal growth of the artists who created them but also society as a whole, making viewers and culture more reflective and demanding a greater depth, awareness, and consideration from everyday people.

The artist rose to create the masterpieces, and we rose to behold them.

Democratization and Cheapening:

Painters and sculptors were seen as highly skilled artisans who could capture the likeness of a person or a scene. Many dedicated their entire lives to learning the craft. With its ability to quickly and accurately capture an image, photography made this representation much more accessible and reproducible.

Photography challenged artists to think differently about composition, light, and subject matter. It inspired new movements in art, such as modernism and surrealism, that questioned and expanded the boundaries of what art could be.

Photography allowed for documenting a broader range of experiences and perspectives, making art more inclusive and reflective of human life. While photography expanded the definition of art and enriched it by allowing more people to participate in and appreciate it, the downstream impact of this was immense. 

Photography's ability to quickly and widely distribute images introduced a massive volume of visual material into the world. The sheer volume of photographs diluted the perceived value of each image, making them less memorable or impactful.

This influx made it harder for individual works from traditional formats to stand out, where the creation process is often slower and more labor-intensive. 

Although photography succeeded in democratizing and distributing art, it diverted society’s attention from the considered, thought-provoking, reflective voice of other mediums to the transient, shock-and awe-impact of photography that, even over short periods, overwhelmed, numbed, and desensitized viewers via volume, ultimately betraying the medium’s very ambitions and causing the medium to diminish the depth and significance of visual imagery itself.

This broader cultural shift toward superficiality and artistic instant gratification not only cheapened art but cheapened cultural sensitivities, shaping our reactions and responses to visual material–transforming feelings of reverence, awe, and reflection into overwhelming indifference.

If there were some awareness–some foresight—of the responsibility photography would play in culture, could things have been different?

Art is often seen as a reflection of culture, but we sometimes forget that it is also one of its most significant catalysts.

Photography’s Responsibility in Modern Art

There is a long-standing debate about whether photography is art at all. Whichever side you fall on doesn’t change photography’s outsized impact on the visual arts space.

Photography and art have many goals, but one safe assumption is that both aim for impact. Sometimes, this is to inspire, and sometimes it’s to make people feel grief, humor, or joy. But it is always to make them feel. 

I have dedicated my entire life to photography. It’s not my job, hobby, or what I do, but who I am. So why, then, do I not defend it?

When you've dedicated your life to something you love, you’re not satisfied with the status quo. Your focus is on driving it forward, improving it, and contributing to its evolution. My sole interest lies in advancing it by critiquing, exposing its deepest flaws, and addressing them.

So, the question remains: what is photography’s responsibility in art?

What does that look like for the photographer?

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers. As with all complex issues, we must discuss impact and implications. Here are some practical steps that could both elevate yourself and your images and possibly encourage others to be better, too:

1. Prioritize Depth Over Volume:

Resist the pressure to produce work rapidly or in large quantities. Instead, focus on creating fewer, more meaningful images that result from careful thought, consideration, and emotional engagement. Quality over quantity ensures that each piece has the potential to resonate deeply with viewers.

2. Cultivate a Reflective Practice:

Develop a habit of reflection and introspection before, during, and after the creative process. Ask yourself what message you want to convey, what emotions you want to evoke, and how your work can contribute to a larger conversation. This practice can infuse your photography with greater depth and intention.

3. Engage with Your Subject Matter:

Invest time in understanding the people, places, or themes you photograph. Build relationships with your subjects, research the historical and social context, and approach your work with empathy. Understand the context of what you are photographing the best you can. This deeper engagement will be reflected in your images' authenticity and emotional weight. Even if you are just photographing on a particular street, do a quick Google search or ask ChatGPT it’s history as a good habit. I remember doing this and learning about ‘the bloody angle’ in Chinatown. What a story!

4. Focus on Storytelling:

Study different storytelling techniques. Take class or watch a YouTube video. I great way to do this is to read great fiction and pay attention to the patterns and the journey the author takes you through. Think of your photographs as part of a larger narrative. Use your images to tell stories that matter, whether they are personal, social, or environmental. By focusing on storytelling, you can create work that goes beyond aesthetics and engages viewers more profoundly.

5. Challenge Surface-Level Trends:

Be mindful of trends that prioritize superficiality or instant gratification. Instead, challenge yourself to explore themes and ideas that are less common but more meaningful. This could involve experimenting with new techniques, exploring complex social issues, or revisiting traditional themes in innovative ways.

6. Advocate for Thoughtful Consumption:

Encourage your audience to engage with your work—and the work of others—more thoughtfully and reflectively. This could involve curating exhibitions that invite deep contemplation, writing about your process and the meaning behind your work, or creating projects that require viewers to slow down and consider what they are seeing.

7. Educate and Mentor:

As a photographer, you have the opportunity to influence others, especially emerging artists. Share your approach to creating meaningful work and encourage others to consider the ethical and cultural impact of their photography. Mentoring can help cultivate a new generation of photographers committed to depth and intentionality.

8. Collaborate Across Disciplines:

Work with artists from other disciplines—writers, musicians, historians, activists—to create multidisciplinary projects that explore complex themes from multiple angles. This can enrich your work and provide a broader context that enhances its depth and cultural significance.

9. Reflect the Times, but Look to the Future:

While it’s important to address current cultural concerns, also consider how your work will be perceived in the future. Create photographs that speak to the present and anticipate future challenges and societal shifts. This forward-looking approach can help your work remain relevant and impactful over time.

10. Advocate for Ethical Practices:

Recognize the power of photography in shaping perceptions and narratives. Commit to ethical practices in representing people, cultures, and issues. Ensure that your work respects the dignity and complexity of its subjects, and use your platform to promote positive change.

Although this is by no means a comprenhensive summary, I believe that by taking these steps, photographers can begin to reshape their role in art and culture. They can move away from the potential for superficiality and toward creating work that is thoughtful, intentional, and impactful. This approach not only elevates the medium of photography but also contributes to a richer, more reflective cultural landscape. I write this not just for you, but for myself too.

We must treat each image we make seriously and respect the gravity of its impact, not just individually but as a whole. Doing this means higher quality and lower volume.

It means we are driving towards an outcome, however minutely, in which people see a powerful photograph and feel. Of course, this cultural shift would require not just a few of us but most of us to implement. In a world where everyone has a camera, we can’t expect the public at large to adopt it. Still, maybe we can convince a portion of them, and maybe, in the world of serious artists and photographers, we can drive in this direction together and hope that one day we might steer art, photography and maybe even culture, in a more positive and productive direction that encourages the best in us.