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Currently a Photography and Design student in my final year of a bachelors degree and first year in a Diploma . I am striving to learn the ins and outs of photography as a profession. The more I learn, the more I realise that the medium is infinitely broad. Numerous life times would be inadequate to fully explore and practice this medium as both a Photographer and/or Artist. This distinction I feel is important in today’s society, the Photographer and ‘Artist’, as in each case an image is assessed by a different set of principal. The two of cause overlap to such a great extent that we cannot have one without the other, to think otherwise could be considered naive. ‘Art’ can use Photography as a medium (as it would paint brush, or pencil), while Photography can incorporate artistic practices. I raise this point only to illustrate the fact that we should not consider an image based purely on the inherent characteristics of photography. Neither should we judge an image purely on its ‘artistic’ merit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perhaps my real issue is in the use of the term ‘art’ or ‘artist’, this has become synonymous with creative practices such as painting, drawing, illustrating, performance ect, as well as their historical ‘ism’s (this is of cause the implied meaning I am struggling with above). This term has also come to imply some sort of spiritual, creative/cerebral or anti commercial integrity... I prefer the definition of Art as: skill as a result of learning or practice. This then becomes an accomplishment or title for an individual who excels in their chosen Medium. No longer is there an issue of whether an image is photographic or ‘artistic’. The title now implies an attained level of skill and expertise – Both the Painter and the Photographer can become an Artist through diligence. Let people argue the finer points of each practice, what defines photography? What defines painting? What defines illustration? ect – The argument between Art and Photography becomes immaterial.