Art, Craft or happenstance

I was following a thread in a forum a few years ago, its subject matter was "a quick and spontaneous snap." There are many photographs which happen as a result of a reflex shot, where a "photographer" takes a quick shot of an event or situ as it happens and creates a piece of "Art." Many great images have been captured in this way. But how many of these are "happy" accidents and how many are feted through the selection process that an artist applies in filtering through their images? I feel that through working in the craft, you can create the image you wish to capture through the use of a combination of using ones "eye", timing, patience and selectivity.

The exercise is akin to developing any skill ... I liken it to the samurai pursuit of the perfect cut. They would practice 1000 cuts or so every day, do it enough times and there will come a moment when you achieve a level of mechanical fluidity and perfection, where you are no longer thinking about the cut, but doing it. In its most extreme form, the art takes place when you can transcend the mechanical movement and become the cut.

As a photographer pursuing your craft/art you need to become almost instinctively familiar with all aspects of your tools and skill so that when the moment presents itself you take the photo naturally and with no hesitation almost as second nature ... In my book the Fine Art of photography really doesn't occur until one has mastered or come to a good understanding of the craft.

The Fine Art of Photography is in essence the creative application of Craft ... the components of the Phrase relate as follows: Art relating to the Craft of photography and Fine defined in this case as a refined or precise example of the craft...