What is ART?
As a photographer I have fought against the stereotype that I am not an artist. Most "traditional" artists such as sculpters, painters, and so on, do not think that photographers are true artist. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In my way of thinking, those other artists can manipulate what they see to give the viewer just the image that he or she is trying to convey. A photographer has to take the world as it is and frame it to give the same effect. We also tell stories in a way that no other art form can. The musician can play a tune to or sing words that paint a picture, an author can write many words down to describe a scene, a sculpter can mold an image, a painter or sketch artist can sketch a moment from memory, but the photographer can capture the flavor of the moment in all its raw wonder or horror. We work hard in the studio to paint with light to make just the right portrait of a person, or convey the mood someone is in. We can save for all eternity what a person looked like.
I do not for one moment wish to leave you with the impression that I think less of any other art form, rather the opposite. I the highest of opinions of all artists. For each time we create a work of art for the public to experience, we lay ourselves bare to the world. That is a difficult thing and well worth respect.

Art in our schools
While I am on a roll of sorts, let me spend a few words on the subject of art education in our schools.
It disturbs me that so many would try and do away with this valuable part of a childs education. The arts teach dicipline, and appreciation. The arts give outlets to some young peoples creativity that would otherwise go untapped or worse yet used crudely and inappropriatly. The arts also teaches the youth as well as us all the importance of imagination.
These very politicians that would do away with the NEA and other arts funding groups would also be the first to scream loudly if it were suggested to remove sports from the schools. Yet the very lessons that can be learned from sports can also be learned from the arts. Now some may say that the arts does not teach physical fitness, well, take voice lessons sometime and find out just what it takes to get a clear note to the back of the Metropolitan Opera House, or better still, YOU lug a tuba down a parade route. By the way, when is the last time you picked up a sculpture, and if you think photography equipment is light, follow me around some time. You'll be singing a different tune.
My point is that art education in schools is just as important as any other area of study. To make a complete argument, I would fill up my web site here and still not really get the whole point across. I know that money is tight, but I think that we can still spare some so that school kids can learn who Motzart was or so they can learn the art of entertaining you when you sit infront of the TV. Didn't think of that one did you? Yes, it takes artists to put on your favorite TV show. By the way, who do you think DRAWS those animated cartoons that the kids watch, the computer only does what the artist tells it too. You listen to the radio don't you?
OK, enough, I think you get my point even if I was long winded about it. I just feel so strongly about the subject. Make your voice heard. Write your Congressman and Senator. Let them know we need the arts in our schools.

One last thing
I am looking to start a link page. Please email me any links you think would be useful. I will put them up on the page.
If you are looking for the guest book, I removed it for technical reasons. Email your comments directly to me. Hansonfoto@cox.net