Art & Photography : A Simple Definition

What is art? And do we have the right to call ourselves an artist??
Buy my new book "Scenes From The Black Sand" available here...
www.paulsmithp...
Follow me on Instagram: / paulcsmith
My Website: www.paulsmithp...
#art #photography #how to be an artist

[@timrpbrown]

There was an occasion, not too many years ago, where I was struggling to get landscape images accepted into Shutterstock (because it's harder than it looks, and I wasn't very good). Although I learned a lot in trying to get the images 'right', I also found that I wasn't enjoying the process at all, as I was trying to take photos that I thought Shutterstock (or other people would want). One day I joked to myself, with regard to the photos I was taking that I enjoyed (mainly back and white trees and street shots), "I don't care what other people think, I'm an artist" and at that point the penny dropped - simply declaring myself an artist suddenly freed me to do what I want, to photograph what I want, what I see and excites my creativity. I have the luxury of not having to make a living out of photography, and I still have much to learn in order to improve, but it's so much more enjoyable. And don't let anyone tell you you're not an artist - the self declaration is enough, and if anyone disagrees it's because they don't understand your art. Great video Paul, always inspirational!

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks for the comment Tim, well made! I think the key thing as you have pointed out, is "freedom" of expression. It's the beginning of the end when you start creating what you think will satisfy others, rather than what will satisfy yourself. I hear your pain with the shutter stock thing, and at times it's the same for me creating content on KZbin. The light came on when I heard the Jay Maisel quote, made me feel good. Art is also like you said, the freedom to create what you want, and when you can do that it's a beautiful satisfying thing. Take care!

[@LeicaM82]

Mental connection made to Joyce Kilmer’s poem, “Trees.”

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Will check it out thanks

[@garymaunder1399]

A wonderful beautiful poem from a man that was sadly lost in WW1. Apparently it has even been put to music.

[@MeasuredLight]

Thank you for this wonderful short video, Paul! My 5 year ols daughter and I really enjoyed it. I think an extension on Jay's quote could be that art is making people feel what you feel :)

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Agree well said

[@peterlawrence6028]

Another wonderful item Paul. The tree that sits waiting for you to take the time to see and feel its beauty, I know it well. Interesting to contemplate what 'art' is when we think of photography and the struggle to let others see what we see. Can I also just say, the music you often use with your videos is superb, you really know how to match the mood of the video with your message.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks Peter, I probably failed to translate my message clearly in this episode. I had originally planned something different for this video. But yea that old tree has been sitting there unnoticed on the side of the road for many a year, nobody SEES it. I guess that's my point? The final photo may not be art but the emotion that stirs the vision is I think? Maybe Art is the success of translating the vision???

[@grahamrichards8531]

@@PaulCSmithPhotographer I think your images of the tree are great - this tree has been through a traumatic time but is now regenerating. Trees are the oldest living thing on this earth, their problem is that they cannot move to a better situation.

[@peterlawrence6028]

@@PaulCSmithPhotographer Paul, I think your message about letting others see what we see was the critical point of your episode, the discussion about 'art' is secondary. We could all talk about 'what is art' until the cows come home and in the end I don't think it really matters - getting people to see your images as a reflection of your vision is far more important. And can I say, it is something that you do very well.

[@AustenGoldsmithPhotography]

Ah that's nice ! A nice warm glow from the scenery and your words . I ill remember that next time I am standing next to my camera on an ice cold winters night

[@ralphmckenzie8802]

The photo at 5:03 is a winner. I like how the tree frames the hills in the background and the colors in the sky are so good. I've seen many a dawn sky with these colors but its hard to describe without a photo. That would look really cool as a poster sized print with a nice rustic frame. Trying to convey what you see and experience in a photo or painting or music is definitely art. Nicely done 👍

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Cheers Dusty

[@nathuadsoontorn9201]

Thank you . Beautiful .

[@iainmc9859]

I'd paraphrase Jay's quote just a little, 'Art is making other people feel what you see'. If it leaves someone else cold about what you were trying to say, then I don't think you've succeeded as an 'artist'; regardless of what sort of artist you are/want to be and also taking into account the subjectivity of each of us. Personally I'd consider photography as a mechanical art, just don't ask me to define mechanical too precisely .... or art for that matter. Nice tree 😊

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

I'm not sure about that? I also think the recipient has an obligation also. Speaking from my own experiences there have been many times I have failed to be moved by something we could call art. Then when revisiting sometime later my opinion has been reversed. A lot has to do with the mindset of the viewer also. Thanks for your comment Iain!

[@iainmc9859]

@@PaulCSmithPhotographer Difficult to not trip over words around this subject. Perhaps 'failed' was too definite a word. 'Not succeeded' may have been more open to interpretation. Do I think the recipient has an obligation ... nope. Do I think people have to educate themselves to see what is art ... nope. For me that runs the risk of being elitist and/or pretentious. I was reading just today that after an opening night party a galleries' cleaners chucked in the bin an installation by Damian Hirst with a market value of £40,000. Should we laugh at the cleaners for their lack of aesthetic appreciation or criticise the artist's inability to communicate both meaning and context?

[@tamaspetruska5817]

Hi Paul! Even now, all I can say is that when I look at your landscapes, peace always travels through my thoughts.✌️✌️. Nice lights.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks mate, hope all is well?

[@tamaspetruska5817]

Hi Paul! Yes, everything is OK at home. Many politicians would have to show your pictures to have peace in their heads !!! ✌️🍹

[@alanma3864]

Great job Paul! You encapsulated that little itch/feeling/compulsion you get in your gut into words. I think there’s also an aspect of pleasing yourself when you listen to that little voice and shoot, no matter the likes or ‘quality’ of the image, you’ve enjoyed/improved/ enabled yourself to be in the moment and learn something.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Cheers mate

[@louisgbowes]

Leo Tolstoy in his book "What is Art?" said: “The business of art lies just in this, - to make that understood and felt which, in the form of an argument, might be incomprehensible and inaccessible.” When you spoke about the dead tree "It's just got something, I don't know what it is". I think that's the process he is touching on with that quote. Beautiful video as always, Paul.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thank you Louis

[@sophietucker1255]

Art like beauty is in the eye of the beholder on one level but on another level it is in the eye and mind of the maker. I’ve made images that to me are snapshots, a moment in time that I want to remember but to others they find a meaning that I didn’t see. For those that get hung up on “craft and art” there is craft in all art. You do have to learn your medium and your tools. My mom painted and she spent hours learning her brushes and strokes and technics before she painted a picture. There are those that liken photography to be a “mechanical art” but I believe it was Ansel Adams that said he was an artist not a machine operator. I’ve learned to use my tools to create the art I enjoy making

[@StevenLawson]

I really needed this video and its message - I'm halfway through a year-long photography project and the motivation was waning, so thank you.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thank you Steven, from time to time I need comments like this. Motivation is a two way thing, take care.

[@conorisdell3937]

You just inspired me with that quote about sharing with other people what you see. Just ordered your book as well. Thank you Paul. Kind regards from Ireland on the other side of the world. Conor

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks Conor, appreciate the support!

[@timshields8720]

intriguing

[@chrisbone7149]

Thank you for another thought-provoking episode. I decided to look up the definition of art and found several. None of them seemed to be as clear and concise as the one by Jay Maisel that you quoted.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks Chris, yes I loved the simplicity of it.

[@ThomasClemens]

Beautiful pictures and I totally get why this tree inspired you.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks Thomas

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Love the way you see yo h r local landscape

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks Christine

[@runninblue9415]

Beautiful images. Great message 👌

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thank you

[@TL-vt8uk]

Great video! Jay is awesome, his videos have taught me so much! Cheers!

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks!

[@ThomasPBudil]

Enjoy a lot with your posts that makes me thinking and animate me. Thanks from the antipodes-Austria.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thank you Thomas

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video Paul, 03:28 doe it for me, monochrome, and the starburst sun, the textures and contrast in the hills also add to it. on it's own it's just a tree, in it's "environment" it belongs, thanks for sharing

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks Tony

[@Andrew.J.R.Simpson]

A good bit of pruning first would have helped that tree 🤣 I liked the shots where you used part of the tree on the edge of the frame, an interesting view and I think you do get over that you are trying to convey something about the tree and scene in general. Likewise I get the saying, how in trying you can call yourself an artist but will anyone ever see the same as you without you giving a description? Personally I'm regressing and don't even call myself a photographer, I just say I'm a camera user. Anyway another fine vlog.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Good point, yes maybe Art is the ability to be moved by what we see, being an Artist is successfully translating that to the viewer.

[@fbraakman]

I think what is artistic to one person may not necessarily be the case to another. You yourself may recognize that the image you took has artistic qualities, but the next fellow may not see it. It is something that you personally feel. Our hope as artists is that others may feel it too. Great photo by the way.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thankyou

[@TankDude]

Gorgeous pictures and great content, Paul!

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks mate

[@TheGazmondo]

I certainly did enjoy it too, the tree sure has character, especially with the shape of the terrain and the shadow detail. Pleased you followed your gut. No one gets points for pray and spray. If your not interested in a subject how can we ? Great video !!

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Cheers Gary thanks for watching

[@joncaradies3155]

Great Video ! I've always thought that photography was not too much more than seeing something that interests you , Putting a frame around it , and asking the question 'Do you See what I See ' Cheers .... :D

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

I think so that's put simply but on point! Thanks for watching

[@VideoBikerDude]

Where are you? We miss your videos and seeing how you see the world.

[@tomw0815]

I think this has a lot to do with regional and cultural background. In the US the term "craft" has no reputation at all, so maybe that's the reason why photographers want to be called artists. In parts of Europe craft has a much higher reputation than art. Not so many photographers who claim to be an artist here. Many years ago I visited a large photo exhibiton. A documentary photographer from Switzerland got a big award there and made a tour to show and explain his photos. I asked him if he sees himself as an artist because there seems to be a trend, that photographers want to be artists ranther than craftsmen. He was really upset by my question. His answer was that he is doing some serious work that requires a lot of technical expertise. It's other peoples decision to put his work in an exhibition/museum. So he did not see himself as an artist at all. I believe that from a US photographer I got a totally different answer.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thats interesting

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

fine video Paul. for me that ordinary tree will only be missed when one days its gone. you've seen something special in the ordinary, basically immortalising that tree. any day with a camera in hand is a bloody good day mate.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Thanks mate it is!

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Beautiful philosphy insights to our art form and great images, especially at 04:51. Thanks Paul. Not that I will ever be able to afford one, but which Leica/Lens combo do you use Pauil?

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Hi Chris, for this video I used the Leica M-E / Zeiss 28mm Biogon. But usually will shoot this camera the M-E (M9) with a 35mm Summicron

[@derrenleepoole]

“The Earth without art is just eh!” Author Unknown.

[@bobblakley]

I love this episode, Paul. Will you be making any of these photos available as prints? I'd buy the ones at 1:30, 2:20, and 2:50 if they were on sale.

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

Hi Bob thanks for watching. No plans to sell any prints from this episode at this stage.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

I've filled 50 houses with custom made furniture all designed by me but i get called a craftsman not an artist. Is it the medium you create in that gets the "artist" tag ? Why is it never the "Craft of photography" ? ...🤔...oh who cares! just go create something for the hell of it and let others try to figure it out 👍....fyi when i see a tree i see a chair before i see a composition 😉

[@PaulCSmithPhotographer]

I get you I too was a furniture maker

[@russellspeight5175]

That's a lone tree in a landscape thats been stripped of its native woodland covering - it's obvious why it bugs you, to me!