What is Photographic Art?

I believe the question really should be "what is a fine art photographic print"? In the photography world the real difference is in the printing method. The subject matter is of course a matter of personal choice. Hand made prints would probably be at the top of the spectrum with many outstanding fine art photographers producing beautiful hand made prints. But for my contemporary themed work it's my computer and a top notch photo printer that works best. Besides, I never liked the thought of putting my hands in chemicals and that's just one more reason why I love the digital age!

I consider my enhanced photographs as decorative wall art that falls into the category of "Fine Art Photography Digital Prints". That is based primarily on my use of pigment inks and archival paper.

"Enhanced Photography" is a relatively new artistic expression. The techniques I use are varied and can involve many hours to transform a picture into a look that appeals to me. There are no rules to follow in transforming my photographs. I also don't listen to critics whose opinion it is that this is not a true art form. (They thought that about Andy Warhol's work also). I think that enhanced photography is very much a legitimate art form. I think I am doing something a little different that pushes the language of art. I enjoy it very much and I feel a sense of accomplishment in much the same way that a painter looks at a completed painting.

I love the digital revolution of photography and I don't miss film. In much the same way I would never go back to using cassette tapes or not having an Internet. I believe that if I am not constantly progressing then I am always playing catch up. For me, change is integral to my creative growth as an artist and as a person.

I love photography because there is truth behind the image. I especially love to enhance my photographs because in transforming the original image a very dramtic change takes place. I have always loved change and my art is a way to manifest change in a creative way. I think that is exciting!

The goal of most art is the expression of the artist's personal ideas and feelings. I don't feel the need to make a particular statement or tell a particular story with my art. My work is just part of who I am; a beach person who loves to take pictures! Many times good art or a good photo is an accident. Sometimes it evolves and on occassion you see a great shot, you get the shot and you think it is a masterpiece.

The component of my photographic art is based primarily on the themes I am drawn to. I then focus on composition as well as vivid color and texture. I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to many places in the US and Internationally. I use my huge catalog of photographs from those travels.

I have always been a "beach girl" who grew up around the beach and surfing. I love to photograph the beach, palm trees, waves, surfing, flowers, nautical scenes and seascapes. I am drawn to the natural beauty of our earth and you will see these themes in my photographic art.

Most of my prints are limited editions of 80, 180 and 300, making them a bit more special to a collector.

I also love my home town of Virginia Beach, Virginia and I pay tribute with my "Virginia Beach Landmarks" series.

Thanks for reading! Sara

Don't forget to check out my website!

sarabeveridge.com

I can find inspiration in very subtle things. Like the way my nephew is so humble about his surfing skills. I love that about him! He's a great kid who is an accomplished surfer in the Eastern Surfing Association. I think that humility in its purist form is so very attractive in a person. I'm not talking about lack of confidence here, but more of a very certain sense of self that does not have the need to be a show off, braggart, or ostentatious. That humble quality makes people want to know more about you. It draws you in!

I am also very inspired by the truth, although the truth is not always subtle. (Think homelessness or poverty). I guess that everyone has their own truth, but somehow, the real truth, the most base of knowledge, always presents itself, no matter what, no exceptions. The process may take some time, but the truth always exposes itself in one form or another.

That is one reason I love photography. Even though I transform my photographs into something else, there is truth behind the image.

Recently, I asked a man who purchased 2 of my framed prints at an art reception why he liked my work. He said "because they (the images) are real things". I thought the comment was very profound and I was blown away by that response. It inspired me greatly!

Other things that inspire me:

My Savior Jesus Christ
Nature- in all it's forms
Art- in all its forms
My family who believes in me
My Dog Kayla
Dawns early light- a new day is always a chance to start over!

Thanks for reading! Sara

I used to think getting older was a bad thing and I felt some dread about the prospects of aging. I also thought my creative peak had come and gone. I remember feeling an urgency to do it all now because I might be too cynical, jaded or uninspired to be creative or original.

Today, as I get very close to the half century mark, turning 50 is going to be a badge of honor because I was wrong about aging.

I think I now have an insight and wisdom that motivates me. I feel like I have come a long way as far as creativity goes but I am no where near my "peak". I have many many great ideas that I have yet to explore. For now I will let some of those ideas sort of "stew" until the lightbulb turns on and it just flows out!

I have always had the "creativity gene", but as I have gotten older my creativity has become more focused and purposeful. Expressing our creativity is essential. Creativity can be very healing. It can be a road out of unhappines and despair. It can also bring people together who share a vision.

Creativity is an inner current of purposeful energy. It is a feeling or an insight that manifests into something else. For example, have you ever watched the sun set and thought, "wow, this is awesome, I wish I had my camera here to capture this"? And if you had taken that picture of the sun setting, you might print it out and frame it or make a greeting card for someone. That creativity started with a feeling of awe. I imagine that most photographers will relate to this. But what if you want to paint, write, sculpt or make films? I am encouraging you to stop procrastinating and just do it.

You will gain greatly from expressing your creativity no matter how old you are. Don't fret over whether people will like it or accept your new found well spring. There will always be the nay sayers in your life that will plant seeds of doubt and cause you to become discouraged. Don't let them squash your passion! That negativity is really the dissatisfaction they feel in their own life.

There will also be many who may do it better or be at a higher level. So what! They had to start somewhere also. Trust me on this, no matter what creative avenue you want to take, if you will just start or continue doing something you long ago gave up, you will get better at it. This is part of the process of creativity. When you can look back and see how far you have come, that is part of the reward of satisfaction and accomplishment.

I have been into photographing since I was a teenager and for many reasons had parted ways with my camera for several years.

About 3 years ago I discovered that photography is my TRUE creative passion. I was looking for artwork for my home and I could not find the style I liked for a reasonable price. So I started playing around with my photos and one thing lead to another. I guess you can say that is how my current "creative incarnation" was born.

I have taken my photos to a different level now and I sell them to people who like my work. And that is another lesson I have learned. There will always be someone who likes what you do. There are as many types of people as there are types of art. So get going, and let your creativity guide you to be the person you have been postponing, you are not too old!

Here are some people who did some of their best work later in life:

Mark Twain
Clint Eastwood
Henri Matisse
Claude Monet
Frank Lloyd Wright
Grandma Moses
Louis Bourgeois
Pablo Picasso



Thanks for reading, Sara Beveridge

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10- You figured out that being yourself is the best gift that you can give yourself!