Photographs Everywhere, But Is It Really Art?

I once heard a lady say to a photographer that she would have bought his work if it had been a painting. She liked the image, but for whatever reason didn't consider the medium suitable for her "it's just a photo".
I am sure that some share her thoughts, whilst others would be quite happy either way, but a growing number of people do recognise photography as an Art form. And collect it.
"There are three fundamental components of what we call art. First, is the artist; second, is the medium; and third is the artwork. All three, clearly are interrelated." Tad Beckman
Defining photographic art
It is true many people do regard photography as merely a reproductive medium, and the photographer as simply the technician. And if this were just about your holiday snaps then it would be a valid point.
So let's start with my definition of photographic art. I say my definition because there is no stock answer it means different things to different people.

For me it's about creating a beautiful image that is an interpretation of the scene that I saw in my mind captured on film, rather than just a recording of what is already there.
It's about the photographer being the choreographer of the various components; the composition is critical, as is the lighting, weather conditions and the colours at play.
It's not just about pressing the shutter release, although timing is everything. Patience comes into play too, as you wait for all the components to be perfect all at the same time.
Some things you can control, but the weather well that constantly throws out surprises that can add that hint of drama to a picture or send you home disappointed.
It's these uncertainties that add the challenge, and this results in creativity as you respond to the situation. Other photographers will have their own criteria, but we all are producing very personal pieces of work that we feel passionate about and that are a representation of our interpretation of the world.
A photograph - more than just a sheet of paper with an image on it?
Oh yes! Typically a photographer will capture an image that pleases their eye. They will create something that is close to their heart, and therefore give a little of themselves in the image.
Effectively they are allowing you to see how they perceive the world to be, one moment at a time. Add into the fact that many photographers print their own work (once they have an order!), and sign it then you could say you are buying a piece of history - or designer art!
In other words you are not buying a mass produced print, and naturally the price reflects this. You are buying into the reputation of that photographer and you will expect to pay more. When someone is starting out and building reputation then you are investing in the potential of that person.
You won't pay as much, but you'll be backing your own instinct and demonstrating your belief in that person's talent. Contemporary photography is affordable art.
Subject matter - does it matter?
Personally I don't believe it does, and I mean this in the sense that people will be drawn to your work because they have seen something of yours and liked your style, and typically that means they like your choice of subject matter too.
My preference is for landscapes and increasingly flowers, whilst other photographers prefer sport, people or a more abstract approach to name but a few.
I think the key to preserving artistic integrity is to shoot for your own personal satisfaction, although naturally as your reputation builds you will develop an understanding of what collectors want, but for me I always have to love the image myself to want to share it with the world. Anything less and it stays in the drawer!
I still experiment, and search for new subject matter, but my photographic style is what it is. It just keeps evolving.
A new language
Understanding the language of the image is something quite individual to the viewer, it does not explain itself in the same way to each person. It is subjective. And although some may view photography as easy, believing that there own point and shoot cameras can produce similar results to a master photographer are confusing the issue.
After all most of us have made paintings at some time in our lives, and may still own paint brushes, but wouldn't necessarily look at a painting by a master and not consider it to be art would we?
It is the heart and hand of the author behind the brush, camera or pen that executes the creative vision not the tools used.

Photography Montage

Simply put, photography montage is the process of making a composite photo from several different photographs. The process has been in use since the mid eighteen hundreds and took place in the photographer's darkroom. These techniques were untried and new and no doubt took a great deal of patience, trial and error. The photographer's skill was paramount as he manipulated negatives of different subjects and printed them on to the same piece of photography paper. The end result was a picture of illusion where people and things printed on the photograph were not really there.
Although the darkroom is fast becoming a thing of the past with the digital age of photography, the techniques are still in use albeit in an altered state. Photos are 'stitched' together to produce a panoramic view of the subject (typically a landscape), people are added or erased from a picture and, as in the past, a number of pictures can be combined into a photograph montage before the printing stage.
The sort of effect that this type of editing produces has been popular for as long as photographs have been accessible to everyone and makers of photo frames have tried to pick-up on this by producing frames where multiple photographs can be displayed within the same frame. It works well for families where several children can be featured or where the age progression of just one child can be seen at a glance.
However, back to the digital age of photography and modern day techniques. Software such as Photoshop or The Gimp allow us to manipulate images, so with the right skills it becomes incredibly easy to produce a photography montage that is plausible and worthy of any collector of photographs. But then a paper photograph is just a paper photograph and unless it is put into a frame it is unlikely to ever be on display.
New techniques are being developed all the time where photos can be printed on media other than paper such as photos on mugs and plates, metal and canvas boards and more - the process is so dynamic and progressive. The printing process is what separates amateur from professional as specialised inks and commercial products are likely to be needed, and they are just not cost effective for occasional use. The comparison between what you may print on your standard inkjet printer and what the professional prints will therefore be vastly different and will potentially spoil your whole project.