Why Photography Serves as an Essential Copying Process in Art?
“You’re cheating!” Those words are spoken by many unestablished artists around the world. Over and over again you will hear those words uttered by hypocrites who actually practice a form of copying from photographs to produce their art. By the way the term illustration is a subset of art or to more clearly state a form of art. Why is that important to this topic of using photographs or including the practice of copying photographs as part of the art process? Instead of telling you what I believe, here’s a blog serving you an example from the greatest American Artist in the last century. If you research any late 20th century magazine you will see the Norman Rockwell influence as well as his numerous works. Here’s a short blog highlighting his use of photographs.
Why is he renowned for his charming and nostalgic paintings that captured the essence of American life in the 20th century? I believe photography gave him the time to meditate on the meaning of the moments he captured on film. This time allowed nearly perfect insights to be expressed in art. For his art, a passion developed for photography and became a profound influence on his artistic process.
Rockwell's journey with photography began early when he purchased his first camera at the age of 19. Initially, he used photography as a tool to gather visual references for his paintings. He would often take photographs of people, places, and objects that he found inspiring. These photographs served as a valuable source of inspiration and helped him to capture the authentic details of everyday life.
As Rockwell's photographic skills developed, he began to explore the medium more creatively. He experimented with different techniques, such as cropping, perspective, and lighting, to create visually compelling images. His photographs were not mere preparatory sketches but rather works of art in their own right.
Rockwell's photographs also provided him with a unique vantage point from which to observe and document American society. He captured scenes of everyday life, from small-town gatherings to bustling city streets. His photographs offer a glimpse into the hopes, dreams, and struggles of ordinary people during a time of significant social and cultural change.
Rockwell's dual mastery of painting and photography allowed him to fuse the best of both worlds. He incorporated elements of photography into his paintings, resulting in works that were both realistic and evocative. His paintings often had a sense of immediacy and vitality that can be attributed to his photographic training.
Norman Rockwell's legacy as a painter is undeniable, but his contributions to photography should not be overlooked. His photographs not only served as a foundation for his paintings but also stand as a testament to his artistic versatility and his enduring fascination with the human condition.
So, who are we to argue that copying photographs as part of the art process is wrong. Out of his skill Norman Rockwell created a unique style of art never seen in history. He proved art must evolve by his unique groundbreaking techniques.
This question of copying leads me to my next blog concerning AI.
Comments
Post a Comment