A professional photographer in most cases would have mastered their equipment and are in control of their technology and photographic technique—photographs are analyzed for colour, light, shadows, composition—rather than seeing the artistry of the shot—pictures are viewed differently in the eyes of a visual artist—it’s a whole different thing—neither artist, or photographer is right, or wrong in taking a photograph—technique and technology know how vs fine art upbringing—feelings, emotions is the only gap between the two disciplines.
Photo journalism is the only photographic medium that can bridge the gap between photography and art.
Don’t get me wrong. I really love to experience (look at) a master shot done by a professional photographer–these images are special—a perfect capture of their subjects.
The difference for me is that a photographed image by a photographer will go to print into a magazine, in a wedding album, or hung on the wall at a dental office. From a visual artist’s perspective, that photo can become a canvas, artistically manipulated placed into art galleries, museums, or sold to an admiring collector—who supports the artist’s work. For me, as a visual artist—that’s my value and the reason I’m not a professional photographer.