(L) Commercial vs Fine Art Lesson
I'm Fine!
Your Purpose Defines You
The traditional definition of fine art applies to the artwork that is created purely for aesthetics or beauty without an additional practical function. Though fine art can be purchased, the primary purpose of the art is an artistic expression. Commercial art is created for specific reasons, often to sell something. Fine art is critiqued and revered by experts and hangs in museums and galleries to be admired. Commercial art is appreciated and even critiqued but doesn’t usually end up in a museum.
What Makes it Art?
Remember that photography was initially considered solely a commercial art and not until the Photo-Secession movement did it begin to be recognized by the larger art community for its potential as fine art.
In the 1960s the Pop Art movement sought to purposefully blur the lines between commercial and fine art. A prime example of this is the work of Andy Warhol who used the tools of a commercial artist to mass-produce images of common everyday objects like Campbell’s Soup Cans and Brillo Boxes. These days it is essentially the system of the art world (galleries, curators, critics, etc.) that defines what is a fine art.
There is a great deal of crossover. Consider the work of photographer Annie Leibovitz. She began her career as a photographer for Rolling Stone and has made a name as one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the industry. And yet her work, both personal and commercial, has been exhibited in some of the largest and most renowned museums including The Museum of Modern Art.
The difference between fine art photography and commercial photography remains the same as all art: fine art photographers create based on their own aesthetics and motivations while commercial photographers create based on the requirements of their employers. Lighting remains an important component of both genres of photography, it is vital that a commercial photographer be able to quickly and effectively execute lighting scenarios to bring their client’s vision to life. Where a fine art photographer has flexibility and can shoot and reshoot according to their own schedule and vision, a commercial photographer must meet client deadlines in order to get paid. As with all things, there are pros and cons to both. While a fine art photographer has flexibility, they don’t always have stability. And while commercial photographers don’t have much flexibility they often have a more stable income.
What is your opinion of commercial vs fine art photography?
Is there a difference?
Which do you prefer to create?
IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS