Influence of New Technologies on Visual Arts - Essay Example

The affect of photography on the 19th Century Visual Arts was immense. The realism and impressionism used to define art came to define a photograph as well. Realism was realistic photographs, whereas impressionism was photos taken and overexposed, too close to recognize the object, and other non-realistic situations. Since the photographic process is similar to cinematography, the technologies intertwine. The same movements affecting photography and other visual art impacted cinematography as well.

Later in the 20th century photo –realism became a big hit due to the advancement of the photograph. Realism and impressionism in photography and cinematograph would never have occurred without the invention of photography. Photo-realism also would not exist without photography. The new technology of photography in the 19th century led to a Realism movement. The photographers wanted to capture a true image. They did not care about making art, but in making actual replications of real things.

This helped move the technology of photography along. In an effort to capture a more real looking photo, newer cameras and film were developed. This pushed the technology forward into cinematography. The better the camera and film became made making films possible. Photographic impressionists used different techniques to make their photos seem unrealistic. Soft focus was one technique used to make a picture look different. Over exposing film was another technique. Regular photography inspired painters in the 19th century as well.

Photography had started to come of age in the middle of the 19th century with accurate depictions of people and places. Artists such as Manet, Monet, Degas, Cézanne and Pissarro felt the pressure to develop a new style that would not compete with the "accuracy" of photography. (Arteest) These works would never have developed without photography. Impressionism, photography, cinematography, or painting, would not have been the same. Photo-realism was also affected by the emerging technology of photography.

Although this movement did not catch on until the 20th century, the advancement of photography was necessary. The definition of a core photo-realism photographer is as follows: 1. The Photo-Realist uses the camera and photograph to gather information. 2. The Photo-Realist uses a mechanical or semimechanical means to transfer the information to the canvas. 3. The Photo-Realist must have the technical ability to make the finished work appear photographic. 4. The artist must have exhibited work as a Photo-Realist by 1972 to be considered one of the central Photo-Realists. 5. The artist must have devoted at least five years to the development and exhibition of Photo-Realist work.

(Meisel 12) Without the photo, this type of art would not be possible. The emerging technologies of photography made impressionism, realism, photo-realism, and cinematography possible. Without the emerging technologies, impressionist like Monet would not have created their art. Realism was the main drive behind better photography technologies. Cinematography grew out of photography technologies. Photography was the reason for these movements and inventions. Works Cited Arteest. Impressionism in Art. 2009. 17 July 2009 http://arteest.

org/impressionism.htm Meisel, Louis K. Photorealism. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1980.