As one of Los Angeles’ longest standing fine art photography galleries, ROSEGALLERY has proven to be a leading consultant to distinguished collections, art museums and academic institutions. The gallery has been committed to supporting and collaborating with well-established and emerging artists in the long-term conceptualization and presentation of their works. In recent years, the programming has expanded to encompass artists specializing in alternate mediums, including design, bookmaking and sculptural objects.
However, with a field that encompasses so many different facets and moving parts, we’d like to take an opportunity to answer some of the questions we get every day:
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What Even is Fine Art Photography?
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What Are Some Examples of Fine Art Photography?
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What Are Some Genres of Fine Art Photography?
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What Are the Financial Aspects of Fine Art Photography?
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How Can I Find the Best Fine Art Photography Near Me?
RECAP: What Even is Fine Art Photography?
Because photography is so widely used, from advertising, documentary purposes, professional, personal, and fine art use, it can sometimes be tricky to pin down what is considered fine art photography and what is the fine art approach to photography?
Fine art photography, in short, is photography that is used as a tool for artistic expression. This can be in many ways through trying to capture a narrative, taking photographs with an aesthetic in mind, or experimenting with techniques and equipment for arts sake. With such a broad definition, it can feel hard to pin down what is considered fine art photography. What denotes fine art photography is a somewhat subjective but open ended interpretation. A fine art photograph is defined solely on its context and the intent of the photographer. The validity of a fine art photograph and what is considered fine art photography can be defined through the framework of a simple question: What makes art, art? Art itself is the culmination of expression, ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. While there is no set definition, it is typically a blend between artist intention and the perception of the public. However, while open ended, there are general fine art photography techniques and components that one can utilize to identify fine art photography any combination of these things in photography can qualify it as fine art photography:
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Specific Artist Intention
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Purposeful Aesthetics
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Expression of Ideas, Thoughts, and Perspectives
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Context of the Image
As mentioned previously, fine art photography is a very broad medium. It is not so cut and dry to say that this criteria is what qualifies fine art photography. These may be some of the elements of fine art photography, but they are only a basic framework to the vast classification of fine art photography. With this, we can look into some examples of fine art photography, fine art photographers, and the genres within the art form. Fine art photography has proven to be a renowned and established medium in the world of fine arts, with important institutions beginning and continuing to collect photographs as well as foundations awarding fine art photography awards to celebrate achievement in the medium.
What Are Some Examples and Genres of Fine Art Photography?
Some fine art photography examples from profound figures in the history of fine art photography that ROSEGALLERY has had the privilege of working with:
Portrait Photography
RECAP: Fine art portrait photography is simply photography that aims to capture the personality of a subject. It is an expressive art form focused on capturing the essence and character of individuals through visual storytelling. Whether in formal studio settings or candid moments, it aims to showcase the subject's unique features and convey emotional depth. Photographers use techniques like lighting control and composition to create a mood that complements the subject, going beyond mere documentation to explore artistic expression. Portrait photography serves diverse purposes, from personal mementos to professional headshots, celebrating individuality and preserving memories. It's a versatile genre that connects viewers with the stories and emotions encapsulated in each image, emphasizing the power of visual representation in conveying the richness of the human experience.
Staged Photography
Staged photography is simply photography that has been intentionally set-up. The subjects are aware that they are being photographed and there is generally some creative direction when it comes to the creation of the photograph. Photographers meticulously plan and control every element in the frame, often blurring the line between reality and fiction. This intentional manipulation allows for the creation of compelling and thought-provoking images, where the photographer's vision and storytelling take precedence over capturing spontaneous moments. Staged photography provides artists with the freedom to construct scenes that convey specific emotions, concepts, or messages, showcasing the intersection of photography with the realm of staged art and narrative construction. Essentially, the photographer has full control over how their idea is visualized.
Kennedi Carter
A Durham, North Carolina native by way of Dallas Texas, Kennedi Carter is a photographer with a primary focus on Black subjects. Her work highlights the aesthetics & sociopolitical aspects of Black life as well as the overlooked beauties of the Black experience: skin, texture, trauma, peace, love and community. Her work aims to reinvent notions of creativity and confidence in the realm of Blackness. She documents those around her and weaves a personal and intimate visual narrative of their experiences.
Her personal work and projects fall under the category of both portrait and staged photography. The sets, backgrounds, and locations of her subjects in series such as Ridin’ Sucka Free, play an important role in reflecting the personality of the subject. Her other works see her subjects placed in dark and intimate settings, utilizing costuming, lighting, composition, and poses to put the individuals that she photographs into the spotlight. Carter’s visual style and personality shine through the breadth of her work, creating a visual aesthetic that is unique to herself.
Process-Focused Photography
Process-focused photography is photography that emphasizes not only the outcome of the photograph, but the technical photographic process involved in making it. Analogue photography techniques that utilize photographic film and photographic paper are the typical hallmarks of this style of fine art photography. The process typically includes selecting the appropriate film stock, exposing it to light through a camera, and later developing the film in a darkroom using chemicals. Photographers have precise control over factors like exposure, contrast, and tonality during the development process Despite the prevalence of digital technology, analogue process photography continues to attract artists and photographers seeking a more traditional and organic approach to image creation.
JOHN CHIARA
John Chiara’s compositions are vibrant and energetic. While a physical snapshot of a place, they have an abstracted quality that let the colors and tonality do most of the talking. Chiara’s process involves a normal photo darkroom technique, in which an image is exposed, developed, and then fixed through liquid chemicals. His images lean towards the energy of the Abstract Expressionists through a contemporary lens.
A key part of Chiara’s work is his process. While he utilizes traditional analogue techniques, the scale of his work is far from traditional. Chiara creates his images using a large storage trailer that has been converted into what is essentially a large format box camera. His images can span up to 50 x 80 inches and are processed using a large sewage pipe that has been outfitted to hold photographic developing chemicals. His process and technique are key to his artistic practice.
Fine art photography also includes photographs that also served other purposes outside of fine art.
Documentary Photography
Documentary photography is a form of visual storytelling that captures real-life events, people, and environments. It emphasizes authenticity and aims to objectively portray subjects without staging. Focused on social issues, culture, or history, it serves as a journalistic tool for education, awareness, and social change. Documentary photographers are set on capturing decisive moments and conveying human emotions to create compelling narratives. Through honest and impactful images, this genre provides viewers with a nuanced understanding of the world, fostering empathy and connection to diverse realities.
Bruce Davidson
Bruce Davidson is an American photographer known for capturing images of communities and individuals living on the fringes of society. Imbued with sympathy for those potentially hostile to the general population, Davidson’s work is marked by a fearlessness and a lack of moral judgment.
Ignited by his involvement with a group of Freedom Riders traveling by bus from Montgomery, Alabama to Jackson, Mississippi, Davidson’s series Time of Change proved to be a profound documentation of the American Civil Rights Movement. It is an honest and transparent documentation of this important and pivotal era of American history.
Street Photography
Street photography is a spontaneous and candid form of visual storytelling capturing everyday moments in public spaces. Similar to documentary photography, it thrives on authenticity, showcasing the beauty in ordinary life through unscripted scenes, people, and urban environments. Photographers in this genre keenly observe light, composition, and timing to convey narratives and evoke emotions. Typically working with inconspicuous equipment, they aim for a low profile to preserve the naturalness of their subjects. Rooted in history and influenced by figures like Henri Cartier-Bresson, street photography documents society, reflecting cultural nuances and individual stories. Its accessibility has grown with social media, enabling photographers to share diverse perspectives on the ever-changing tapestry of urban life. Ultimately, street photography serves as a visual chronicle, capturing the collective human experience in public spaces.
Martin Parr
Martin Parr is a prominent British documentary photographer and photojournalist, born in 1952. Known for his unique and often satirical approach to capturing everyday life, his work offers a humorous yet critical commentary on contemporary society. Parr explores themes such as consumer culture, tourism, and British identity. With a distinctive use of color and a keen eye for the absurd, Martin Parr's work has proven to be a great influence in both the conceptual and visual aspects of street photography.
Commercial Photography
Commercial photography is a specialized field dedicated to producing images for promotional and marketing purposes. Covering a wide range of subjects from products to corporate branding, it aims to create visually compelling photographs that effectively convey a message to a target audience. Through techniques like composition and lighting, they highlight the features and benefits of the subject, influencing consumer perceptions and driving sales. With a focus on aesthetics and functionality, commercial photography plays a crucial role in serving the strategic goals of businesses, making it an integral part of the advertising landscape.
Tania Franco Klein
The work of Tania Franco Klein is highly influenced by her fascination with social behavior and contemporary practices such as leisure, consumption, media overstimulation, emotional disconnection, the obsession with eternal youth, the American dream in the Western world and the psychological sequels they generate in our everyday life. While an artist, she is also the main subject in a lot of her photographs. In a way, her works are self-portraits that attempt to showcase how she and ourselves navigate the world.
Along with Klein’s personal works, she has been commissioned to create and capture images for publications such as TIME Magazine, Financial Times Weekend Magazine, and The New York Times amongst others.
These are some of the few genres that encompass fine art photography. Many examples of these photographers’ works can be found at ROSEGALLERY.
What Are the Financial Aspects of Fine Art Photography?
For those who are not already established collectors, it’s easy to wonder if there is money in fine art photography - but the fact of the matter is that ROSEGALLERY has placed works with as many types of people and institutions as you could think of, and there is not one strict and singular answer when it comes to the question of who buys fine art photography.
Here are a few examples of institutions that galleries such as ROSEGALLERY has worked with and have purchased fine art photography:
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The J.Paul Getty Museum - Los Angeles, CA
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Los Angeles County Museum of Art - Los Angeles, CA
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Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - Houston, TX
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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - San Francisco, CA
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The Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, IL
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Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - Boston, MA
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Milwaukee Art Museum - Milwaukee, WI
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The Tate Modern - London, UK
These are just a few of the institutions and museums that collect and purchase fine art photographs. We also sell to large private collections who may be what you picture in your mind when you think of an art collector.
With this, a very large percentage of works we place are to new collectors, or people with no previous collections who simply love a piece. Many individuals who purchase fine art photographs are inherently photography enthusiasts themselves. As mentioned in our first blog, there is very much intrinsic value when it comes to art. You may be drawn to a particular style, aesthetic, design, composition, or even artist. A photograph can bring out emotions beyond a simple investment. Many collectors who begin their journey have done so in the pursuit of supporting the arts as well as for a passion for the art itself.
How Can I Find the Best Fine Art Photography Near Me?
You might ask: How does one purchase photography?
In our current age, there are a plethora of options for buying.
For starters, many individuals and new collectors opt for a more traditional route. You may be interested in a specific photography and subsequently get in touch with a gallery that represents or offers their work. From there you can visit a physical location and view the fine art photography gallery photos in person. This method is much more involved but will give the most personalized and intimate experience. You would speak directly to gallery staff, who are experts in the field and are also passionate photography enthusiasts. The benefit of this method is a physical relationship that builds with a gallery. At ROSEGALLERY, we have helped numerous individuals buy their first photograph. From there, many of these individuals have become close friends and clients, allowing us to personally keep them up to date on any new and exciting photographers and projects to be on the lookout for.
However, with the advent of digital marketplaces, it has become even more convenient to learn, search, and purchase fine art photography. Sites such as:
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Fine Art Gallery Website
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Artsy
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Artnet
Have proven to be effective platforms and marketplaces for fine art and fine art photography. These websites also give an opportunity to speak directly with gallery staff as well, so you are not sacrificing the benefits that one would get if they wanted to view and purchase a photograph in person.
What types of photography sells the best? Which photographers should I look out for?
With such a variety of collectors, there is no one type of fine art photography sells best, however some of our up and coming photographers as well as some modern photographers that have been seeing a fair bit of attention as of late!
Here are a few contemporary photographers to keep an eye out for:
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Kennedi Carter
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Caleb Stein
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Tania Franco Klein
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Rinko Kawauchi
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Elger Esser
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John Chiara
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Kensuke Koike
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Katrien De Blauwer
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Asako Narahashi
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Tomoko Sawada
Here are a few Modern photographers to keep an eye out for:
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William Eggleston
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Martin Parr
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Susan Meiselas
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Graciela Iturbide
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Jo Ann Callis
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Manuel Alvarez Bravo
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Evelyn Hofer
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Ken Graves
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Eva Lipman
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Bruce Davidson
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Bruce Charlesworth
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Mary Frey
But as the gallery has worked with photographers of so many genres, there are a multitude of photographers to learn about. ROSEGALLERY is here to help you discover new photographers, learn more about the realm of fine art photography, and to even start your collection. Please feel free to visit our artist tab on our website or come by our gallery to learn more about the photographers that we have in store.