Photographs are created with a purpose. A purpose might be the joy of discovery experienced by a toddler experimenting with her mother’s camera. The intent may be that satisfaction an ego derives in his quest of the perfect selfie. Maybe the goal is a satisfied client.
You can imagine with me, imagine the connection between the photographer and their subject. From being deeply moved to benign, sterile attachment, every photographer has some mental, emotional, or even spiritual opinion of what they photograph and the end result.
For me, what lifts fine art photography into the light is the photographer’s intent to create. This distinction does not necessarily classify it in any way as superior to other fields of photography (such as journalism or commercial photography). Yet I would argue that a fine art picture has a strong connection to the heart of the photographer artist; the fine art photograph has a unique power to elicit comparable feelings in others who behold them.
With this perspective, I have seen breathtaking wedding photographs, amazing moments captured in sports, and images from the natural world that move me to tears. I marvel at the creative gifts the Lord has placed in the minds and hearts of many photographers. I marvel most at the subject matter, which when rendered through creative vision, evokes heartfelt responses deep within me that motivate me to praise the Creator or desire to change the world.