Photographs and articles by A. Cemal Ekin
Infrared photography interests me with its surreal-looking landscapes, objects, and people. But all those pale in comparison to IR aerial photography. Topography becomes abstract, clouds and shadows ethereal and elusive, and the scratches man has made on earth seem insignificant. Infrared Earthscapes Majestic Views I have taken many such photographs and shared some in the …
I am puzzled by the use of the word “artistic,” specifically in photography. Many people seem to make a distinction, albeit an incorrect one in my opinion, between “art” and “artistic.” This sometimes goes to paradoxical levels as if art and artistic live in separate domains. Artist and Artistic Think about it, artistic means “characteristic …
Sotheby’s Photography Auctions I have been following Sotheby’s and other auction houses for photography auctions. They give me a chance to see photographs that I have no chance of seeing. After the auction, I can buy the exhibit catalog on eBay for $10-15. They are printed at high quality with all the relevant information about …
Although I posted some videos showing Arnie Reisman’s work, I thought still images may better convey his creations. Below are some of the highlights from their richly decorated yard. Even the inside of their home shows many of Arnold’s art. The titles are totally my creation and Arnie may or may not concur with them. …
Painterly is not a Compliment for Photography Many viewers say, “Oh, such a painterly photograph” when they like a photo you show to them. They mean most sincerely and compliment the photographer on his or her achievement when they say “It looks like a painting.” This unnecessary, unsuitable accolade has been attached to photography since …
Some see photography as “finding beautiful things and capturing them.” I see it differently as “seeing things and creating beautiful photographs of them.” To wit, the lowly cabbage, especially with some bruises on it on a market stand, will not appeal to many as it is not “beautiful.” A careful study of the subject, its …
The following video recording is from a panel discussion I moderated in 2007 at the Photographic Society of Rhode Island. Fair warning, It is over one hour long, and no photographs are shown. It is a conversation on photography, art, and various dimensions of both. Participants are Boston-based commercial and fine art photographer Lou Jones, …
Enjoy Chihuly Last Friday we went to see the work of the glass master at the RISD Museum exhibit, for me that was the second time. This time, I took a better camera than my phone and took some photographs as I saw the pieces. I should emphasize that seeing the photographs is not the …
I have been working on a presentation that I will make in a few weeks about color and color photography. I have read many books, visited many Web sites, and the last book I have been reading by Wittgenstein1 prompted me to ask a series of questions in my exploration of the idea of “color.” …
Photography is a process of selection and abstraction, a series of them at that. First, we put frames around a frameless world and choose one from among an infinite number of them. Then, we flatten and reduce the three-dimensional space down to two dimensions. Third, while our eyes can focus only on one thing at …
I have issued a folio of photographs, limited to a total of 12 copies. The photographs are selected from a series that I took on the Kozak Plateau, thus the name of the folio. Kozak Plateau Kozak Plateau is in the Aegean region of Turkey and not far from the historic Mt. Ida. The main …
Oh, where was I? Yes, I was trying to dispel some myths about digital photography and Giclee printing. Let me continue with a few more I heard at the panel discussion. These attacks on digital photography, by the way, are not based on first-hand experiences of the medium but rather on uninformed conversations about a …
In the previous post, I tried to give you an idea about the setting, now I will try to address specific arguments leveled against digital photography, mostly by way of “giclee.” Too Many Photographs Does Not Make Bad Art The unstated starting point of these arguments, I think, stems from the proliferation of digital cameras …
Yesterday evening I attended a panel discussion at the Bert Gallery in Providence. The topic “What is original art? Is it a giclée?” was interesting and the panelists were mostly informed about digital art and digital photography. Digital Printing For Us Started With Hacksaws I thought of Graham Nash and Mac Holbert as they ventured …
After reading this article, you may want to read a follow-up post I wrote. The photograph you see above is not fine art photography. Read the rest and see why I think that. Photography is a democratic medium, everyone can take photographs. They may not be great photographs but the process of taking pictures has …
Someone seriously misunderstood this post as a “prescription for good photography.” A careful reading will clearly show that the argument here is “not to be bogged down with rules” and try to move beyond. It was a response to rules-driven salon photography. Since I would not presume to exclude anyone from doing what they wish …
At a photography Web site that I frequent, I read a series of comments about “manipulated photographs.” One of the comments by a very good photographer said: “Once the shutter is pressed … it is done, anything after that is digital art.” Upon some reflection, I would like to share the following for your consideration. …
I would like to explore the idea of a critique and how to stimulate reflection and the critical viewing of photographs. The necessary ingredients of a well-stated critique are reflection, critical viewing, knowledge of the matter at hand, and the ability to communicate. Would it be proper to say that “opinions are democratic, critiques are …
I say “all the sunset photographs have been taken!” Then continue with the U.S. Patent Office example. According to the legend, in 1899 the head of the U.S. Patent Office sent his resignation to President McKinley urging the closing of the office because “everything that could be invented has been invented.” Although this may be …
