Fine Art Photography
©Alice Pallot
Fine Art Photography
The term "Fine Art Photography" can be translated as "artistic photography." It refers to photography created in accordance with the photographer's vision as an artist. The photographer uses photography as a medium for creative expression. The goal of this artistic photography is to convey an idea, message, or emotion. It contrasts with figurative photography, which provides a documentary visual record of specific subjects and events, representing a more objective reality rather than the subjective intention of the photographer, and with commercial photography, whose primary purpose is to advertise products or services.
A bit of history
The history of fine art photography begins with the invention of the gelatin bromide dry plate by Richard Leach Maddox in 1871, improved by Harper Benet in 1878, allowing for quicker exposures and longer preservation. Kodak democratized photography in 1888 with its portable black box camera. Following this, artists began to embrace this new medium, enabling them to capture not only what the eye sees but also many movements invisible to the naked eye. Artistic photography became very important in numerous movements, such as naturalism, Dadaism, surrealism, and constructivism. These movements marked the evolution of fine art photography, each bringing a unique and innovative vision.
Fine Art Photography in Contemporary Art
For a long time, it was neglected, seen as a threat to fine arts, but art photography found its place as a medium in its own right within modern and later contemporary art.
Hangar Photo Art Center presents a captivating selection of fine art photographs, whether by emerging talents or renowned artists. For instance, we hosted the first retrospective of English photographer Martin Parr in Belgium. This exhibition spanned forty years of the artist’s career through 15 iconic series. More than 400 colorful and eccentric images, full of humor and irony, were showcased.
A satirist of modern times, Martin Parr is considered one of the most important figures in contemporary documentary photography and is hailed as one of the most famous photographers in the world. A "chronicler of our time," he scrutinizes the world with his mischievous gaze, producing unusual images, often exaggerated or grotesque, with garish colors.
The Hangar Gallery has established itself as a hub for contemporary photography in Brussels, representing contemporary photographer-artists from the new generation of image creators.
Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Fine Art Photography?
"Who is afraid of artificial intelligence? Photographers, perhaps, but not all! In the face of AI, photography remains a model. The photorealistic quality of AI-generated images reminds us that the production of visual data is fueled by photographs stored in digital memory. Even if photographers no longer take photos themselves, they can still create using stored entities. Beyond the folklore of hyperfakes (deepfakes), to which AI-generated imagery is often reduced, photographers are exploring the potential of this technology to imagine the world."
– Michel Poivert, co-curator of the exhibition Imagine – Photography and Generative Images, presented at the Hangar in 2025.
