An Ardent Life: Monday Rant: Dissapointed with Shock

As I have said before I am not really one to tote the label of Artist or Photographer. I started using Photographic Artist a while ago to try and define what I do in a more recognizable way, but using terms that no one else is using only works for those Hollywood types. I, on the other hand, am a nobody. This isn't a dig at myself it is just the beginning of this rant. The art world is full of people who know people and who create shock art with actors and other media types because they can. They do this and it is considered art. The technical proficiency is typically there because these people have attended so and so university and received this or that degree in their particular breed of art. It may not sound like it, but I'm happy for them, if I have to give them an emotional recognition, except for this little nagging notion that they are part of the obliteration of art. They are one of the reasons why, these days, art is nothing more than shock imagery.

With the prevalence of good camera equipment, there are apparently more photographers in the United States than there are models. I didn't look this stat up, so it could be hogwash, but I would believe it. To some extent I am one of these, "if it weren't for technology I wouldn't be doing this" people. As I said at the beginning of this, I am a nobody and beyond that my images are not shocking. There is nothing repulsive or ludicrous about what or how I shoot. I will never get a death threat because of my photography unless it is from an anti-gun fanatic and that would be ironic.

At the same time, I have faith that there is room for my art in this world packed with photographers. That one day those eyes will find what I do and see its merit.