Just some background to what I am asking....
Photography is a subset of visual arts, together with paintings, sketches, drawing etc.
Its an expression of self and society.... sometimes it driven by a mixture of both.
In the Early 20th century, a set of 20+ Picassos were brought to America, and no one could comprehend anything of it. They were eventually sent back to Europe, where they were eagerly snapped up. It was only decades later did American society started to understand Cubism, Impressionists etc etc and MOVED away from Victorian-style art / portraiture ( u know, the William Farquhar / Stamford Raffles portraiture)
In Art, there has always been a little American - European style distinction, although the lines are quite blurry now.
Just went to a exhibition by White Canvas Gallery, it was pretty good. I would encourage people to go see more exhibitions such as these. Although some of the street photography is not those straightforward kind of "Clear sharp face shot" kind, and I know that it MIGHT take some time before people would appreciate such works and actually start BUYING those photographs.
This has nothing to do with Nikon, Canon, Sony etc........ these are just TOOLS. In art, they are just "brushes". No one will ask Vincent Van Gogh, "wow, nice, what size of brush u use ah?". Maybe asking on certain techniques applied, yes, but still, u need a keen visual eye of his to do that kind of paintings or works.
From 1900-1960s, America was struggling to define its art, eventually as people's eyes are opened, and more exposure to breakthrough works, they eventually reached a level quite different from their European counterparts.
Yes Singapore is small, but why can't we?
Yes give a pig a iphone and he can also make photographs. But:
What photographs is he making? What subjects is he taking?
What does he do with those photographs? Is he composing them? In what way?
How do he treat them after taking those photographs?
Is there more than 1 message in the picture?
Just some thoughts, hope that clarifies the question for more discussion...
Yes, this thread still open to all to voice out... I wonder if we ever comes a day that when foreign people see piece of art, or a photograph, they will say "I'm sure that's Singaporean" or "That's so Singaporean, wow!".
( You do categorize things subconsciously don't u? When something is goth / impressionist / american / romantic etc etc. Ever wonder what makes gives people the impression that something Goth is "Goth"? Or American "American"? ).
Also I'm curious to know if I'm the only one thinking such thoughts.