Fine Art Photography -- What is it?

I've sold photographs. I have been taking pictures and selling them since the mid-70s. The Stars & Stripes and the European edition of TV Guide published nice articles after I won first place in several categories of the annual HQ USEUCOM (Military Forces, Europe) Photography Contest. I was nearly overwhelmed with portrait photography requests. Portrait photography was probably my most profitable photography experience.
I continued to sell photographs and articles to newspapers, magazines and advertising agencies as a motorsports photojournalist through the mid-80s. Even in the last few years, I have accepted assignments to cover selected motorcycle races for magazines.
It wasn't until recently, however, that I considered fine art photography. I love taking landscapes and wildlife pictures. I have some really beautiful images of beautiful things and beautiful places. But, to call my work fine art seems a bit pompous. Was taking those pictures creative? I did a Google search on fine art photography. Here's what I found on Wikipedia. Wikipedia is my most authoratative source of information. I may not be an Ansel Adams but I'm a fine art photographer. :-)
I've done a lot of thinking on the subject since taking steps to promote my name in the fine art field. An acquaintance, former editor of Dirt Rider Magazine, sells his images of Motocross Legends as fine art. I have since learned that calendars and fine art prints of these legends sell quite well. And, they are expressly presented as fine art prints. This classic image of motocross legend David Bailey at the Unadilla MX Track, New Berlin, NY was taken in 1983. When printed on fine art paper using the giclée printing process it is fine art. I have tons of this stuff. If my beautiful landscapes and wildlife prints don't sell, surely the legends will. :-)
Hope you find my research on fine art interesting.
l8r

Down the Dirt Road

My friend Celeste has one of the coolest domain names around -- RoadLessTraveled. I know, it's a poem. But, she got there first. :-)
Today's adventure reminded me of that poem. I followed a road yesterday that I've always wondered about. I got lost in a maze of country roads that finally dumped me back onto State Highway 71. I wasn't sure that I could retrace my steps but had seen a place that I was sure would make a great photo ... if the light was right. By my calculation that had to be really early in the morning. I was on the road before sunrise. As a matter of fact, I found my focal point before sunrise. I was right. This old ranch building is fantastic with the morning sun reflecting off its weathered exterior. The old windmill was nice too. It still pumps water into a tank. I used the tank to capture the windmill reflection in the picture on the right. I was disappointed that the cattle that surrounded the building yesterday were gone. They did, however, leave evidence of their visit in the yard. :-)
It was a fun morning, serving more than one purpose. I'm still breaking in that new diesel engine. The economical 14.7 MPG was from my light foot and some very slow going along a bumpy dirt road.

Wildlife was abundant. Deer were thicker'n fleas on a dog's back. I saw turkey as well. One old Tom was even strutting for the ladies but I wasn't close enough for a decent picture. A jack rabbit nearly commited suicide under my new diesel truck. He was just quick enough to escape before I got a picture or assisted in his suicide.
There were far fewer surprises than I had hoped for. I did accomplish the primary mission but really expected more. I finished off the excursion by snapping a few quick pics of the neighbor's peach tree. Kim, the blooms are fantastic. I'm looking forward to stealing your peaches. :-) Here's hoping the blooms are still here for your visit.
Now, I have a long list of tasks. Jane is working and I am in charge. I'm in charge of mowing the lawn and getting my office cleaned up before Dillon gets here for Easter.
As usual, click the thumbnail image to see a larger version.



l8r

Life in the Fast Lane

The blog has been left lacking. There is so much happening that I could write a book. But it is moving so fast that I haven't had time to draft a post. Our votes are cast and Ron Paul has withdrawn. I took time to email Senator Kay Bailey-Hutchison about my objection to outsourcing that Air Force Tanker to the French. I'm following John McCain's involvement in the Boeing loss of that contract. He's starting to really piss me off.

Those happenings; however, are far less exciting than all that is going on with my photography. I have two exhibits scheduled in May with the possibility of more. We've been busy making prints, matting and framing, and arranging displays. Thank God for Jane. She is wonderful with the arts and crafts and planning details.

And, I'm meeting with a gallery owner Saturday to discuss displaying my prints. There is a good possibility that she will sign on as my representative, selling my prints out of her gallery in Johnson City. I almost feel like I'm dreaming.

With all this happening, I am in hurry-up mode to get my website completed. A friend is helping me with that. It will link to my online galleries and the online representative that will print, mat and frame my prints. I can make only 8x10 and smaller prints. Imagekind, the online rep, can make prints on any type of paper or canvas up to 40x60. Plus, they will take care of the "arts and crafts" portion (printing, matting, framing) of the business as well as shipping and collecting the money. That allows more time for me to continue making photos ... and traveling. :-)

Speaking of travel, our grandson will be here for Easter. We trashed his bed. We're in hurry-up mode to find something for him to sleep on. We may just blow up the old air mattress. What the heck, he's young. LOL

I'm on break from the website development. Back to the grindstone. More
l8r