Curriculum Materials: Amazing Animals in
Art
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Jane Tuckerman Essays: Questions: |
Background
Ever since its invention in 1839, photography has been a vital means of communication. The camera was immediately hailed as a marvel of science and technology, excelling in its ability to record the visual world. Not only could photographs provide evidence of how things appear, they could even reveal details not seen by the unaided human eye. But photography was slow to be recognized as an art form because it was defined by its technical nature, which involves a mechanical process and lacks the handmade quality of painting and drawing. In the 20th century, however, it firmly established its identity as a medium of great aesthetic and expressive potential. Photography was recognized to have an infinite range of TONAL VALUES and a unique ability to capture the forms and designs, the fascinating textures, shapes, and patterns of life. As in all visual art forms, a work of photographic art was seen to result from a combination of factors: an artist's personal vision, technical skill, and ability to express meaning in an image.
Unlike the arts of painting and sculpture--traditionally supported by museums, academies, and galleries--photography was late to gain such institutional support. Indeed, it was not until the 1940s that these forums for the photographic artist began to emerge in America. The 1960s witnessed explosive growth in support for photography as academic programs, departments in museums, commercial art galleries, and critical commentary developed. Since that time, great progress has been made in the acceptance of photography as a valid art form.
In the late 20th century, photographers work in myriad ways to communicate and express themselves. As in all the visual arts, there has been a great deal of experimentation. artists respect the traditions of the past, they also search for new meaning in their personal vision.