Fine Art Photography

I would like to correct a statement attributed to me in the round-table discussion of the Musicapolis photography exhibit [“Music City!” August].  In response to a question about whether we thought of ourselves as artists, I was quoted as saying that I didn’t think that a photographer doing commercial work was an artist and, while I can’t recall the exact words of the conversation where several people were talking, I have to say that nothing could be more opposite of my actual opinion. I absolutely think commercial work can be art, even great art. I look for inspiration from photographers like Irving Penn, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, and Anton Corbijn, all of whom have done incredible, important work while shooting commercially. As a working commercial photographer currently exhibiting work in a gallery, I fear I came across as both hypocritical and insulting to other photographers, some of whom are showing work in this same exhibit.

Tony Nelson
Minneapolis