Assignment 2: Press Photography versus Art Photography

For our second assignment, we had to find two press photographs and two art photographs and compare them.

The first press photograph is called "The Fork", taken by André Kertész. The photo was taken in 1928 and it is one of his most famous works.

"I am an amateur and intend to remain one my whole life long. I attribute to photography the task of recording the real nature of things, their interior, their life. The photographer’s art is a continuous discovery which requires patience and time. A photograph draws its beauty from the truth with which it’s marked. For this very reason I refuse all the tricks of the trade and professional virtuosity which could make me betray my career. As soon as I find a subject which interests me, I leave it to the lens to record it truthfully. Look at the reporters and at the amateur photographer ! They both have only one goal; to record a memory or a document. And that is pure photography."

-André Kertész

The second press photogrpah is called "The Kiss", taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt.  It was taken on Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) in Times Square, New York on August 14, 1945.

My first art photograph was taken by Ansel Adams in 1958 and it is called "Aspens".

The second art photograph was taken by Ralph Gibson and it was part of his gallery called "San Fran".

The main similarity between press and art photography is that they both capture specific moments in life and with them people keep a memory of events. I think that the main difference between them is that press photography cannot be edited/altered meanwhile art photography can be altered.

It is ethical to alter art photographs because art photographers control how they want their photo to look like. The photographer is meant to express their thoughts on their photos. They can alter the picture to show the public what they think and what they see.
On the other hand, it is not ethical to alter press photographs. These photographs are meant to show the public the truth. Press photographers must keep their photos as they are to keep the story/event the way it is and show everyone how it really happened. If it is altered the photo becomes unreliable and the public would be looking at a lie.


Works Cited:
 - Author Unknown. "What Is Fine Art Photography?". Photography Art Cafe (2012-2012). <http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/definition-of-fine-art-photography.html>
-Author Unknown. "Ansel Adams". Wikipedia (2012). <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams>
-Author Unknown. "Alfred Eisenstaedt". Gallery M (1996-2012). <http://www.gallerym.com/work.cfm?ID=69>
-Author Unknown. "1960-61 San Fran". Ralph Gibson (2012). <http://www.ralphgibson.com/1960-61-san-fran.html>
-Doug. "André Kertész, The Fork". Chasing Light (2011). <http://blog.ricecracker.net/2011/09/05/andre-kertesz-the-fork/>
-James Alinder. "Exclusively Fine Photography". Alinder Gallery (2012). <http://www.alindergallery.com/>