Jena McGarey

     What is art? Although the question itself can be subjective, art is defined as, “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” 1 The definition does not limit the concept of art to a specific medium, but the definition does not discuss the elements of art. Elements of art is the idea that something cannot be considered art unless it contains the elements of art which consists of: lines, color, space, form, value, shape, and texture. Lines are the indication of movement and direction, such as an outline. Color is the hues used and the intensity of those hues to construct the artwork. The next element of art is space, which is the perspective and proportions of the artwork. Form is a three dimensional object that most often refers to artworks like sculptures. Value is the contrast used in the artwork that relates to light and dark. Shape is a two dimensional structure that makes up a shape. And the last element of art is texture, which is a visual effect that is formed with lines that implies texture. According to the definition of art, photographs can be a product of expression, aesthetic, and provoke a sense of beauty within the viewer. An artist does not necessarily need to have formal training to create art. Art is an interpretation of the world seen through the artist’s eyes and can be expressed through different mediums such as acrylic or oil paint to canvas, spray paint to wall, photographs, sand, etc. However, not everyone agrees with what can be considered art.
     Although art is subjective and different mediums can be used to create art, American artist Joseph Pennell disagrees. Pennell gives his thoughts on photography in an excerpt, “Is Photography Among the Fine Arts?”. He argues that cameras are machines that create the image for you while the photographer did not have to put much creativity in the process. He was against classifying photography as art as he believed, “photography was merely mechanical and did not require training that art did.” 2 Pennell argues, with the mechanical aspects of photography, it takes away the artistry, as the photographer puts in little effort. The American artist believes that artistry comes from years of training, learning from a master and creating something that takes skill. Pennell explains, “[he] plants his machine in a convenient corner, and, with the pressing of a button or the loosing of a cap, creates for you a nocturne which shall rank with the lifework of the master.” 3 He views taking a photograph as a simple process that requires no creativity, that is a matter of science and not art. Pennell goes on to explain that cameras can capture the likeness of the subject and replicate them, which takes away from the artistry. 
     Edward Steichen’s The Flatiron (1904)  is a blue-tinted platinum print that captures the essence of New York’s newest building at dawn. According to Pennell, the photograph would not be considered art because of the type of medium that is used. Recalling the definition of art, if the artwork displays production quality, aesthetic, beauty of something ordinary, and the elements of art, then it can be considered art. Steichen’s The Flatiron (1904) is a photograph that is of quality, provides an aesthetic, and brings beauty to something ordinary, like a building. Using the elements of art, it can be determined whether or not Steichen’s photograph is art. Lines play a key role in the photograph. The building itself is centered in the middle of the photographed, erected while the horizon sits perpendicular below. The bare branches that sit in the forefront of the subject serve as lines as well. Steichen tinted the photograph the color blue which is in line with the colors you would see during the early morning hours. Although the photo is tinted blue, the photograph displays different shades of blue. Space is used in the photograph, as there are three men standing in the forefront of the photograph, along with the trees. This creates depth between the men and trees, and the Flatiron building. With this photograph being taken, the subjects in the artwork are forms. The three dimensional subjects accentuate the depth in the image. The next element that Steichen’s photograph displays is value. The artwork has different shades of blue and the lighting used to capture the silhouette of the three men as dark figures shows contrast. Shapes can be seen in the image, such as the windows of the building are rectangles, and the Flatiron building is shaped as rhombus. The last element used is texture. In the forefront of the photograph, the sidewalk appears to be wet as the light is reflecting off of the water. This use of lighting shows the texture of water. Edward Steichen photographed the Flatiron building and Joseph Pennell produced an etching of the building the same year. Both men captured the beauty of the newly erected building through their own lens. Although Pennell does not recognize photography as a form of art, art accepts photography as a form of art.
     Joseph Pennell may be correct in his assessment of photography, especially by today’s standards. When Joseph Pennell was alive to see cameras perform in its dawn, he felt that cameras were abhorrent and a cheat to the art community. In the prime of Pennell’s life, photography had grown into regularity while painters and sketch artists had been a thing of the past. He had seen cameras and photographs grow into a widely produced lifestyle where it was then incorporated into books and newspapers. Today, with cameras being easily accessible in our pockets and with photographs appearing and disappearing in a matter of seconds, there might have been a loss of artistry. We take advantage of the artistry that photography can provide because of how easily obtainable and disposable it is. 

Art is defined as, “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.”

     When we ask, “What is art?” We can define art as a quality production that provokes a sense of feeling, aesthetic, and beauty. Art does not have to be limited to paint or charcoal used by an artist’s hand, art can use traditional and non-traditional tools on different mediums. The concept of art includes the elements of art which are: lines, color, space, form, value, shape, and texture. Photography can be art, although not everyone agrees, such as Joseph Pennell. Some will see art as a form of cheating as the camera essentially does all the work for you. These people also hold the opinion that the photography process is not a skill that takes years to master, and it is an insult to the art community. Edward Steichen’s The Flatiron (1904) is an example of art photography as the image displays most, if not, all of the elements of art. If we are to follow the elements of art as a guide to classify what is art, then these guidelines should apply to Steichen’s photograph as well. With photography progressing and growing as quick as it did, no one could have thought the camera would transform to what it is today. Memories in your pocket, available at the touch of your finger. Photographs being stored in binary code. As accessible as photography is today, photographs have lost its monetary value as anyone can take a photo, anytime they like. Artistry in photography is not dead, but it is not as unique and alive as it once was.