Wikipedia defines fine art photography as "photographs that are created in accordance with the creative vision of the photographer as artist. Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism, which provides a visual account for news events, and commercial photography, the primary focus of which is to advertise products or services."In looking at that definition, one could surmise that only staged photographs of grand scenes or carefully planned portraits would count as fine art photography. However, there is a very special genre of fine art photography that should not be overlooked. That genre is rock music photography.
Photographers that tour with bands and take photos of them living their daily lives as well as performing on stage are creators of fine art photography. Although some photographs of famous rock stars can be carefully staged by the photographer for portrait purposes, it is the explosive raw talent these stars exhibit on stage that the photographer seeks to capture.
In essence, the musician is creating art. Photography is also an art form. Combined, it is plain to see how photographs of rock musicians are fine art photography. The musician is the subject and the stage is the canvas. The photographer captures the image and art, in that moment is born.
Some may argue that only paintings from the old masters or serious art students count as fine art. They may wish to dismiss photography as an art form altogether. However, that way of thinking is (thankfully) becoming more and more archaic. With the introduction of installation art and mixed media sculptures, we realize more and more that art is not defined to a paintbrush or pencil stroke. Art is anything that can be created and photography is a very special way of creating art.
For example, consider the photography of Ansel Adams. Are his photographs of landscapes any less impressive than Gustave Courbet's landscape paintings? Likewise, are Renoir's portraits any less captivating than Ross Halfin's pictures of Jack Douglas? Both the painter and the rock music photographer have the same goal in mind and that is to immortalize the subject at the peak of their glory. Two fine art methods, one very fine result.Perhaps it is because photographs are so often used to tell a story (journalism) or sell a product (commerce) that some have a hard time picturing photos of rock stars as fine art photography. After all, you are not likely to see paintings advertising cars and pharmaceuticals in magazines! However you are very unlikely to see a painting of a rock musician belting out a song on stage either. Paintings have their way of capturing a subject. So do photographs and when it comes to the exciting, fast paced world of rock music, the best and way capture the exhilaration of the moment is in a photograph.
Photography is a fine art every bit as much as painting and drawing; rock music fine art photography is an niche art form that is unique and necessary in its own special way.
