First of all let me explain to you what is my definition of artistic and what of a postcard. A postcard is a very target specific photograph with sole purpose to advertise the merits of a specific place. Its merits are usually a good composition and technical excellence without though any distinct characteristics of the person who took this picture or lacking the ability to create any sort of sentiments to the viewer. Artistic on the other hand is a landscape photograph that even though it isn't technically excellent all the time, has the ability to convey some of the feelings that the photographer was experiencing while we was taking the picture. Don't get me wrong I don't condemn the whole postcard type of photographs. One might say that I too take more postcard kind of picture instead of artistic.

What triggered this whole debate in me was a comment I read on a forum concerning Yann Arthus Bertrand's Home project. And I quote "Even though Yann Arthur-Bertrand for many friends of photography doesn't meet up with the artistic definition of photography the film Home is well worth watching".

So I wonder why for some people excellent work like that is not considered to be artistic? It meets all my criteria about being artistic, are my criteria that wrong? For those of you who are not familiar with Yann Arthus Bertrand's work here is a closer to home example since if you watch me I believe you are more familiar with my work. The road to Rivendell when posted to a forum dedicated to critique was greeted with mixed emotions. Some said it was great some though said that even though it was technically excellent and looks great as postcard i failed to take advantage of the situation and create an artistic photograph. I don't mind people saying that and I am not looking for praise, it is just that it came as a shock to me cause even though I do consider some of my photographs to be postcard like this isn't one of them. On the contrary when I developed it i had this feeling that yes it is a landmark well photographed in Greece and everybody stops to take a picture of this bridge when the pass by it, but my view taking advantage of the situation is unique. Being insecure as I am I take it that everybody else is right except me and I am in the process of re-evaluating my beliefs about artistic or not. So what do you think? What should a landscape photograph have in order to be considered artistic and if you can show me what you consider artistic and what not. You can vote at the Poll but I'd rather have your answer here since there are no restricting options.

Summer is officially here today as it is the Summer Solstice. Happy summer

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