Beauty in photography can be subjective. Something that one person may consider to be beautiful, may not have any relevance to someone else. The way we connect to a photo, or a piece of art is personal, we may like or dislike something based on the way we feel about certain subjects or messages that art pieces are trying to convey. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that the work is not beautifully composed.
Of course, reading the piece by Robert Adams, I agree that beauty can be dissected into traditional elements that contribute to overall aesthetic including concept, form, colour, composition, light and splendour. However, individuals all have different opinions about what makes these factors ‘beautiful’ or appealing. Some may enjoy photographs that make you question reality or truth, uncover unique concepts, or reintroduce familiar concepts but in new ways. And some may enjoy more traditional beauty, viewing pieces at face value, without needing to delve deeper into the meaning of art. Simply enjoying them because they are beautiful to look at.
I agree with Adams that overthinking aesthetics can interfere with the creative process. I believe that it’s possible to be distracted from what you really want to portray, if you believe that it might not be perceived as beautiful, if it doesn’t conform to typical photographical beauty standards. However, if it something that you connect with, having created with thought and reasoning, even if it is unconventional, surely that is beautiful?
Robert Adams raised some very interesting points about beauty in the art world. I personally believe that beauty in photography is controversial. Art can be beautifully constructed or executed, but it’s also dependent on the subject and what the image represents, as to whether or not it can be considered beautiful in its entirety. Photographs are viewed by an unknown number of people, and can mean many different things to each one of those people, based on their individual perceptions of beauty.
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