Animals, Plants, & Nature Week
Hello and welcome! My name is Jen, though I'm more commonly known on DA by my username, JenFruzz. I am currently the Animals, Plants, & Nature (APN) photography Community Volunteer on DA and your host for the next week! To kick off APN Week at projecteducate, I felt it would be prudent to share this article with my thoughts on what makes APN photography an art form and what can be achieved with the skilled work of its artists.
The APN Categories
Like many of the photography categories on DeviantArt, the subject matter that one would expect to see while browsing APN may be obvious on the surface. In fact, looking at the subcategories of APN on DeviantArt, you might think there's no need for an article that explains what an APN photograph is:
However, while the names of these categories give obvious hints as to the subjects of the photos you will be browsing, they don't explain the artistic merits of an APN photograph. There are photographers in the APN community who focus on only one of these subcategories. Others focus on multiple areas. Many want to tell a story with their work.
Composition
Generally, APN photography consists of the natural world without the addition of human elements. Seems basic, right? We're talking vast landscapes or ocean waves, your pet dog or a wild cheetah, tall trees or tiny flowers. A "technically correct" photograph will likely have a distinct subject, sharp focus, good lighting, and a purposeful large or small aperture. However, APN photographs--similar to portraits, macro, street, and other forms--often follow basic and helpful compositional guidelines that help turn their piece from technically-correct photograph to a meaningful work of art:
The following are some compositional terms and visual examples commonly found while browsing APN photography.
The Art: APN Storytelling
To reiterate... The ability of the artist to blend technical quality with eye-catching composition turns a common APN subject into a beautiful art form by giving it meaning. This desire to turn everyday subjects into unique works of art takes patience, skill, and plenty of practice. The results can be overwhelmingly successful:
To many, the idea of a forest photograph seems mundane. To the APN artist, it is an opportunity to take their audience through a fairytale land or on a forbidding traipse through the woods.
People very often enjoy posting photos of their beloved animal family members or snapping shots of creatures at the zoo. The APN artist takes this idea a step further to personify our animal friends in an effort to showcase their emotions and personalities.
Many people are exposed to beautiful scenery every day. The APN artist sees the world through their own creative window and attempts to showcase their surroundings in such a way that even those familiar with the sights are enraptured anew.
It is sometimes hard to believe that a simple flower or insect can be photographed in a way that takes it out of the realm of "ordinary". The APN artist finds a way to showcase the delicacy and softness of their smaller subjects, to better give the viewer an appreciation for their simple beauty.
Enjoy the Rest of APN Week!
When it comes to telling a story with your APN photographs, the sky is the limit (no pun intended). The world is vast and so are the imaginations of APN's artists. This category has always called to me and been an inspiration to my development as a photographer. The constant influx of talented artwork continues to make me proud to serve as the volunteer for APN photography.
I hope this article has shed some light on the art of APN photography and you, the reader, enjoys the rest of this week.