art
A snapshot of photography as an art form; explore art museums and galleries devoted to photography, iconic photographers, the history of fine art photography and more.
Historic Beauty
As I walked through the pale white double doors leading to this beautiful dome, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and joy as I gazed up at this historic monument that I was witnessing before me. I struggled to take in all the wonderful beauty that was unfolding before my eyes. At first I wasn't sure how to capture this iconic ceiling. I walked around the perimeter of the room and just marveled at all the glorious beauty that was around me. Granite tile polished to a high gloss, illuminated each historic step. In the East wing, there were many depictions of impressionist artwork. Monet, Manet, Rockwell and Degas all lined the walls of the wing. Thin brush strokes combined with life like portraits lined the hall, each more beautiful and breath taking than the last. To the West was the hall of the more surrealist painters. Picasso, Dali, and Magritte all found a place here. As I gazed at each unique shape and misaligned figure, I began to realize that these were all great works of art and each worthy of appreciation but this still was not exactly what I was looking for on this very day. I took a stroll to the North wing which lead me to the more modern art section of the museum. Warhol, Lautrec, Munich and Metzinger all could be found here. For me it was a very interesting depiction of exactly what modern art meant for each generation. For earlier works of art, cubism and surrealism definitely played a part in framing exactly what the works of art would look like. After this I veered into the main hallway and had a look up at the incredible domed ceiling that was some 30 feet above my head. This is where I spent the rest of my time that afternoon. I went with a "panoramic" approach but that wasn't giving me the desired effect that I was after. I kind of gave up on the perfect shot for a little while instead focusing on the wonderful landmark that was right in front of my eyes. I stopped to wonder at everything that was around me, the history, the beauty, the incredible attention to detail and I was completely moved. My attention then wandered to the fact that many incredible historical figures stood right where I was standing and gazed up at this remarkable ceiling just as I am doing now. A certain feeling of solidarity came over me and I began to realize that we are all connected in this world, none of us are the same but we are all together in this incredible world and I then realized that I was such a part of something greater than myself, a part of something greater than I could ever imagine! I took a step back and surveyed the shot and looked long and hard at the ceiling. It was at this point that I decided to really get a good set shot, I tried the action shot with my camera but that didn't elicit the desired result for me. I fumbled through the settings once again to try portrait setting but that seemed to not give a true color to the shot. I finally settled on the pro setting and adjusted the color temperature down a little bit and adjusted the shutter speed slightly higher as it was a very well lit room with combination natural light and artificial LED lighting. The result is what you see here, this glorious shot of that magnificent ceiling with untold souls who stood, walked and admired the ceiling just as I had on this very day. I will never forget my visit to the Smithsonian museum of art in Washington D.C. The ceiling and setting were simply breathtaking and I am forever grateful that I took a trip there.
By Patrick Roberts6 years ago in Photography
"Mother Road" Memories
Heading West on a desolate stretch of aging Arizona asphalt, the famed Route 66 Museum known as Cool Spring's Station offers some unique sights and sounds for those who venture a visit, especially during the "golden hour", with this vintage American classic pickup standing proud against the brilliant kaleidoscope of colors from the Sun setting over the mountains in the background.
By JB Barger6 years ago in Photography
Paradise Divide
Pictured here are two of my closest friends sitting on a high-elevation mountain ridge between two peaks in Crested Butte, Colorado. When I took this picture, with us all sitting on a small boulder surrounded by low growing pine trees on a knife’s-edge trail at about thirteen thousand feet, I felt it described my friendship with these two wonderful young women perfectly. Looking out either side were two valleys with 360-degree views of formidable and breathtaking mountain peaks in the Gunnison National Forest. I had just introduced these two to one another that summer, and instantaneously we were all thick as thieves. In an Instagram caption, I had written, “when your two favorite TV shows do a mash-up.” It seemed like I got the best of both worlds in my friendship to each of them. We hadn’t planned to hike that much that day, all of us wearing just strap on sandals on our feet and swimsuits underneath our clothes, but we just kept moving, laughing and playing in the waterfalls and snow banks left from a heavy snow that winter. This would be the first of many huge hikes we would take that summer, sometimes trekking upwards of twenty miles in a day. Even though there were so many moments where I thought my lungs would explode right before we summited a mountain, there were even more moments where my sides were splitting from laughter as we danced on mountain tops. This moment is candid. Neither is wearing her best clothes or makeup. They are not trying to be anything, not trying to fulfill any role of what it means to be feminine or attractive, but in their own true selves illuminate what it means to be strong and reflective of their inward beauty. This photo is a wonderful reminder of one of the most fun summers of my life and a captured moment between me and my dear friends. At the end of the summer, Heather (pictured right), had told me, “Wow, we could’ve died so many times.” I hadn’t thought of it, and it struck me as odd that this extremity of living hadn’t seemed at all dangerous to me. Amongst cliff jumping into waterfall punchbowls, hauling ass in Bel’s (pictured left) Ford scout on narrow, rocky mining roads, boot skiing down summer snow banks lining steep valleys, climbing up mountain sides that almost felt as sharp as 90 degree angles, and walking down wet canyons in atmospheric thunderstorms, I hadn’t even felt for a second at risk of anything. Reflecting on our many adventures, I still don’t feel like I needed to worry about anything. We live in a very precautious world today, where danger and fear often loom around the word adventure. I think it is wise to be wary and to be smart about your situation, especially as a female, but in a sense I do not believe it is worth it to hesitate in order to lead a thrilling and full life. Things can go wrong, but more often than not, one can form some of the most meaningful and spiritually connected experiences they will ever have in their entire life. I feel like after the summer of 2017, I was far less afraid to take big leaps and to make room for fun in my life, especially when it can be shared with friends. Although my life now is radically different than when I lived in the mountains as a full time artist in New York City, and Heather and Bel now on their own adventures in Seattle and France, I still feel a bond lingering amongst us and an unspoken truce to live life defiantly, fully, and with maximal fun as the highest priority. There are so many chance moments in life, and like this photograph, I’m happy I’ve been there to take it.
By Kellie Kekich6 years ago in Photography
A Moment in Time
Today, I woke up and I immediately jumped out of bed and ran into my day headfirst. I did not stop to think or breathe or anything, I knew where I needed to go and there was no time to waste. And that is how most of my days are now, a constant state of GO-GO-GO. But there was a day not so long ago when I got to flip this routine on its head. And this photo is the most beautiful reminder of that time.
By Salma Abdussalam6 years ago in Photography
resilience
I adore this photo. Editing was simple because it was a perfect day; I simply adjusted the angle and brightened the whole thing because I love light. I’m a fan of centered photos often, but I adored have the subject at the center as the path in the woods and the girl being off to the side. Sometimes, most often, life is lopsided and not perfect so I like that to show through in photography too. When pictures are too symmetrical they just don’t speak to my heart.
By H.6 years ago in Photography
Humans Are Like Typewriters
It’s true when most people say “words cut deep.” Words do cut deep, even when someone doesn’t mean to it accidentally slips. There is so much meaning behind this picture. For starters I wish I can own a type writer. More than anything I wish I can live in the times when technology wasn’t known. Back to the image, a typewriter is nothing like a laptop or iPhone that you can just press the backspace button. You would need to start all over because if you don’t then that word that you didn’t mean to say or just screw up on would be there. That’s why when typing in a typewriter you have to be very cautious, taking your time is important. These days people don’t write letters to people as much as they did decades ago, they would even get a pigeon to send a letter to someone. I myslef still write letters to important people in my life by hand. I believe a hand written letter is everything to someone, if someone would write me a letter by hand I would be smiling so much my cheeks would start to ache. Once I laid eyes on this typewriter at the Last Book Store, I knew this was the subject I wanted to capture. I myslef love to write! Writing how I feel, about my day, or anything random makes me feel so good about myself because I can be me without anyone having to judge me. I’m my own author and I’m in charge of what I want to say at that moment. I used my iPhone XR, no flash needed. The lighting was perfect, the picture came out exactly how I wanted it to come out. Not too bright or too dull, gave it a vintage look. A look that touched my whole soul. The typewriter reminds me of my own self and what I want to become. Someone who can tell endless stories, stories that would touch others in a way that makes them cry of happiness or laugh until they pee themselves. When it comes to pictures I don’t like to use any filters or even edit the picture in any way. Why? Well because it takes away its original form. I wanted my object to be itself not a thing that it is not. The more real it is the better it is. For example you are on a dating app and you match with an Angel. They are perfect, white pearly teeth, curly hair, and very tall. According to the picture of course. Then when you meet them in person you are disappointed. Bummer right? It would be terrific if a dating app or any social media app wouldn’t allow you to post a picture with a filter on because like that you won’t be fooling anyone. People should feel happy the way they look. This typewriter doesn’t decide on its own how to appear to others or pleased itself. A human designed it and choosed it’s colors, size, length, and it’s weight. Through this picture you see more than a typewriter. I see the whole picture, it’s colors, pages, and words. This typewriter had a life. A life that was taken away, now it lives on a corner for people to see not to just pass through it but to noticed it. That writing is a beautiful thing, you don’t know when would be your last days when words are taken away from your mouth. Paper is what we have still. We should all use it to write amazing things. If not then your voice won’t be heard. I want my voice to be heard, the tone I used that’ll get people wanting more of future books I am capable of writing. More than anything being real is important just like this picture of a typewriter, used as a display.
By Yesenia 6 years ago in Photography
Re-frame for Happiness
Bare with me, I will get to the point I promise. The anticipation of photographing a powerful and mutant wave. His spirit wave he calls it. The energy it gives, the form it takes, the way it literally looks like it can chew you up and spit you out no matter how strong a swimmer or surfer you may be. It has a name this wave, The Bull. From the first time he saw it, he knew we’d be coming back. His gut told him this is where he is meant to be. This is where he will be happy. This would be “THE” wave. His wave. Some may say it sounds silly to claim a wave, it can’t be done. But you should see how he’s captured it. It’s perfectly his.
By Bridie 6 years ago in Photography
Concavity
We’ve all been put in a position where the perfect picture is immaculately played out in your head but you don’t have a photographer or steady tripod to fulfill your desires. That’s precisely what happened to me in this photo. My mom and brother are always in charge of taking pictures of me when we go on family trips and adventures but, sometimes, they don't cut it. They take selfies from odd angles. They have no perception of proportion or lighting and I always manage to look either 15 years older or younger than I actually am. Although I do appreciate their efforts, I’ve decided to take on the challenge of doing certain tasks myself. It was really hard to take this picture but it came out so well and I was super excited about it. It granted me the ultimate power of perseverance, too!
By deadnyce6 years ago in Photography
Waterfall Detour
My family is known for spontaneity, adventure, and hikes. This photo was taken on one of those many spontaneous adventurous hikes we have been on. As if I could not prove our commitment to these values any better, hiking in the middle of winter in the snow shows just that. On most Sundays when I spend time with my father, the first thing he always does is ask what I’m up to that day. If I reply that there is nothing on my schedule, it is fair game for him to decide what feat we will take on to seize the day. This particular time, he chose to take me and my sister to the Brandywine waterfall lookout. I have been there many times as a fellow Vancouverite, but only in the summer and never down below to the rushing rivers where you have to climb down the cliff side to see it. My father just bought four new pairs of snow shoes for the kinds of journeys he planned to take us on, and he took this as the perfect opportunity to put his money to good use! Since the waterfall can only be appreciated at an angle far away to the top right from the lookout, the only way to see the spectacular view was to ascend the trail, despite the ice and snow covering the ground. This is where the snow shoes were going to come in handy! We walked the first part up until the ice and snow became unbearable to walk over with the proper frilly hiking boots, which only gave us a few steps to spare free from the extra weight. When it came time we strapped on the snow shoes and continued down the trail that appeared somewhat steep and in my opinion risky, as I always seem to think hikes that go up or down are. We took our time maneuvering over frozen branches and rocks, and eventually made our way down to the level of the river, only to realize there were many groups of families that had the same idea. However when we met with them, they had told us they could not go any further due to the melting icicles falling down from dangerously high locations atop the cliff. They told us not to keep going, since these chunks of solid ice were the size of our heads or more, and at those heights the speed and weight would probably run down the cliff side and knock us out one by one, kinda like bowling pins. But a few pieces of falling ice was not enough to scare us into missing the grande finale view we had all been waiting for. The plan was to run past the one section that was surrounded by fallen icicles, and if we heard a chunk rolling down the hill we were to duck and cover our heads. It was a scary thought, but I tried my best not to think about the melting ice right above us. So we sprinted across the section of danger, and all survived safely further ahead where the danger section had ended. We had made it, and it was time to take our final steps towards the best view possible. I was famished at this point, as we had waited to eat until we got to our final destination, so at this point I was mostly excited to eat than to reach the waterfall itself. But once we got there, the view took us all by surprise as we were looking up at a gorgeously giant waterfall framed with icicles. The water kept running down the cliff, and fell right down into a whole in the ice that had once been a stream. Since we arrived a tad too late to see the sun completely illuminating the waterfall, we were still lucky enough to catch the golden lighting of sunset on the far wall of the cliff. We sat on the rocks by the waterfall in silence for a while scarfing down our sandwiches, and taking multiple photos from our phones. We hadn’t brought professional cameras, we didn’t know the view would be this amazing. We also prefer not to bring them, as that adds extra weight to the trip, and on the way up, everyone would regret bringing the damn thing as we have to rotate carrying it. But yet this gorgeous photo taken by my iPhone is enough to capture the view in its full glory.
By Veronica HD6 years ago in Photography
easy morning
I had never seen a sunrise before that morning. June 24, 2019, 5:32 am. Throughout school I would always have horrible sleeps. I have been fortunate to be able to travel and explore the world, but this is also where I would catch up on sleep. Being in a relaxed atmosphere made sleepless nights go away. Being in a relaxed atmosphere allowed me to let go of the things I held onto in my chest. I have always wanted to wake up and see the sunrise, but I never was able to. I was never able to pull myself out of bed on time.
By Lexie MacKenzie6 years ago in Photography
An Iconic Mountain And A Passing Cloud
A photography instructor once taught me, "If you see something that you like, take its picture immediately if you have a camera. 'Cos the subject or object may not be exactly what you saw if you were to go back to it later."
By Marguerita Tan6 years ago in Photography
Lofi & Blue Skies
The one thing that inspires me the most is music. Ever since I was little my love for music has been an important factor in what connects me to the world and the people around me. My love for music is not just a fun fact about my character, but also has a lot to do with the outcome of this photo.
By sundiata forbes6 years ago in Photography
