I find photography to be one of the most interesting art forms to analyze because it is the most different.  It is the only form that can be debated as to if its art or not.  This is because of the many uses it has.  Photography has been developing and spreading rapidly since it was first created in 1826.  I find it important to note how widespread photography has become when trying to identify “art.”  On any given day most people not only have access to a camera but have one on them at all times.  This has led to the amount of photographs out there being abundant.

As it was stated in the essay photography serves many different purposes.  Many of these being scientific with no attempt being made to have the result be classified as art.  As the essay mentions, somethings do not start out as art but get upgraded to it.  I agree with that statement and believe that the initial intention of classification when capturing a photograph is irrelevant.  Everyone seems to have a different opinion when it comes to the classification of photography as an art.  I don’t believe that anyone is inherently wrong as there is no clear cut definition for the matter.

On a personal level I believe that the art of photography is very broad.  While I do believe there may be some sort of line that separates photographs from art and everything else I also believe that that line is arbitrary and possibly ambiguous.  For arguments sake I believe that any photograph is a photograph when held to the definition of “light painting.”  In regards to classifying it as art I would not put any sort of limitations.  With no rules in existence to give something the term “art” there is no argument to be one.  It is my belief that each photograph should be determined as art or something else by the artist or viewer at hand on a case by case basis.

In my own life I try to keep my photographs considered art, however; I (as well as everyone) use photography for so many other reasons.  It is there to record memories.  It is also there to provide documentation.  Its many uses is what I love about photography.  It is there to capture lecture slides or shopping lists but it is also there to capture beautiful imagery.