It could be said that art is simply vision plus craft. The best art is a compelling vision realized through impeccable craft. You need both elements. Visit a museum and look at some of the greatest works on display. You won’t find any sloppy work or unfinished thoughts. The artist is a master of his craft and uses his craft to convey his vision.
That’s true for fine art photography as well. Many people have a “good eye” for composition and timing, but haven’t yet developed their craft skills. The craft of photography happen when you capture the image through exposure, focus and composition. Craft is just as important when processing the image to finesse it to portray the artist’s vision as precisely as possible.
One of the things I really enjoyed in Los Angeles was the opportunity to see great photography at venues like The Annenberg Space for Photography and the Getty Museum. The prints were always beautifully prepared, whether in a darkroom or on a computer. A photo might have uncorrectable defects, but you would never see a flaw that should have been corrected. The crop was always what the artist wanted, the color and density were exact and the image was as sharp as the medium allowed.
Ansel Adams once said “there’s nothing worse than a sharp photo of a fuzzy concept” and I agree with that sentiment. But it’s also sad to see an inspired vision fail to be fully realized from lack of craft and care.
