Art Photography Mimics Renaissance Paintings

It is often been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so is the interpretation of art photography. What is pure art to many people may be considered nothing more than "dirty pictures" to others. Since the first pictures of females, wearing very little covering or nothing at all surface in the mid-1950's the debate about what constitutes art photography or pornography has raged.

Court battles have pitted those who take the pictures and those who publish them against those who believe they are a violation of community standards. Most courts have sided with the photographers and publishers on an issue of free speech or free expression. Despite the continuing animosity against art photography, there is also a continued demand for the photos. They are the mainstay of many photo galleries and line the walls of art lovers who compare them to some of the famous nude pictures by famous artists.

Most art photography does not show genitalia or depict sexual activity, but the totally nude males and more often females, continue to spark debate. Recently, photographs of large groups of nude people of all walks of life and all sizes have been taken around the world and are being displayed as art photography in many major galleries.

Photographers Say Definition In Viewer's Mind

Most photographers working in art photography content the context of the picture, as well as the thinking of those looking at the picture, is what makes some believe it is in pornographic in nature. One person can look at a nude picture and see art photography while another can look at the same picture and see a sexually suggestive image. It is this difference of opinion that has dogged the profession for years, made worse by a few who believe they can make money through pornography.

Most photographers view art photography much as the same as artists view painting and drawing nudes, which occurs in classes around the world. The human body with the right attitude behind the picture can be an art for in and of itself. They contend they are producing the same image, but are using a different media for its presentation.

Still, others believe that art photography is a form used to hide the intention of creating pornography and continue to fight its presence. However, as long as the battle has raged, there is no clear cut definition as to what differentiates art photography from pornography and it will remain in the eyes and mind of the beholder.