By Heidi Trautmann

An artist and friend, said to me once, when she was still alive, young and energetic, in the interview we did together, something which stayed with me ever since, as a true formula for the basic understanding of art. “Art begins in our head and not at the tip of the brush”. Her name is Rüya Reşat.

This is my answer to the opinion that sometimes reigns in society: photography is not art, it is copying of what is already there, the photographers just press the button. That is not true. You need to be able to see and to understand, you need to use your senses to understand the situation, the being in front of you, you need to experiment with light, natural and artificial light and you need to be patient to wait for the right moment in many cases. To wait for the right moment. We know that light is the most important factor in photography - but also in painting – but it is interesting to research the whole spectrum, to make it work for you. With light comes reflection, shadow, things you can use to work for your results. And in the end, it is experience which brings the success.

In this last exhibition by FODER where 36 photographers, members of the photography association, were showing 123 works, you could observe quite clearly, that they have fully understood the facts I mentioned here.

Photography is definitely art when you once have come to understand the work and study that lies behind it. There are more aspects to photography than art, that is information, recording, communication, research.

The works in the exhibition were mainly portraits, still lives under the influence of light and the reflection it has, not only physically but also to show feelings, moods, atmospheres. In some works the photographers showed images of the heavy influence of the pandemic on the human mind during the last months, it is like arranging a theatre scene.

While I was there on the last day of the exhibition I caught two artists/writers discussing some works, especially composition which is a very important factor in photography but also in the fine arts, composition of colours, the law of the golden ratio applied in arts.

The exhibition was only open for three days but I think it had met with vivid interest. 

Photography has gained a very important position in society and also in education.