Len Philpot
Well-Known Member
I bought a used copy of Examples -- The Making of 40 Photographs (1983, by Ansel Adams) which arrived just today. It initially looked like an interesting book and sure enough, not even one full page into Adams' introduction (never mind the images just yet) did he say something that resonates strongly with me.
That resonance may seem a little strange if I mention my university degree was in Fine Arts. Admittedly -- Graphic design was my emphasis, not photography, but I took a couple of photo courses among others more than forty years ago. It was a general arts degree, not just graphic design. The school isn't a prestigious art institute but rather a smaller public liberal arts university in northeast Louisiana. Later, after working in graphic design for sixteen years, I made a hard turn into IT at age 38 where I spent the balance of my forty-year career. (That change was a very practical one, by the way.)
But still, I identify with the arts in general and I get it. Although I do tend to be a bit analytical at times (to the bemusement of many of my fellow students and faculty -- "An analytical artist??"), being analytical doesn't preclude feelings nor sensitivity. I understand and value artistic expression.
But I digress.
Anyway... here's the quote (emphasis mine):
Absent from these pages are statements of what the photographs "mean". I cannot, and will not, attempt to describe, analyze, or define the creative-emotional motivation of my work, or the work of others. Description of the inspiration or the meaning of a work of photography, or of any other medium of art, lies in the work itself. The endless discussions of creativity appear to me to be pointless intellectual carousels; their purpose seems more the presenting of burnt offerings and worshiping of modish identifications than the achieving of mutual enlightenment. I hope that my creative and technical standards are supported in this book more through my images than through my dissertations.
I have to say I can particularly identify with Adams' reaction to the discussions of creativity and meaning in art, even if I honestly can't identify with his artistic capabilities -- If indeed that even needs to be pointed out.
Just thought it was interesting.
That resonance may seem a little strange if I mention my university degree was in Fine Arts. Admittedly -- Graphic design was my emphasis, not photography, but I took a couple of photo courses among others more than forty years ago. It was a general arts degree, not just graphic design. The school isn't a prestigious art institute but rather a smaller public liberal arts university in northeast Louisiana. Later, after working in graphic design for sixteen years, I made a hard turn into IT at age 38 where I spent the balance of my forty-year career. (That change was a very practical one, by the way.)
But still, I identify with the arts in general and I get it. Although I do tend to be a bit analytical at times (to the bemusement of many of my fellow students and faculty -- "An analytical artist??"), being analytical doesn't preclude feelings nor sensitivity. I understand and value artistic expression.
But I digress.
Anyway... here's the quote (emphasis mine):
Absent from these pages are statements of what the photographs "mean". I cannot, and will not, attempt to describe, analyze, or define the creative-emotional motivation of my work, or the work of others. Description of the inspiration or the meaning of a work of photography, or of any other medium of art, lies in the work itself. The endless discussions of creativity appear to me to be pointless intellectual carousels; their purpose seems more the presenting of burnt offerings and worshiping of modish identifications than the achieving of mutual enlightenment. I hope that my creative and technical standards are supported in this book more through my images than through my dissertations.
I have to say I can particularly identify with Adams' reaction to the discussions of creativity and meaning in art, even if I honestly can't identify with his artistic capabilities -- If indeed that even needs to be pointed out.
Just thought it was interesting.