Non-picture post 1

Sorry, no photo post today, but I will be discussing a certain issue that I've come to re-recognize since I've had the camera
One thing I've noticed with the pictures I've been taking is the fact that I have a biases towards certain colors. I've noticed that I like the colors that are more cool(bluish) over that of the warm(red/yellowish).

Segue:

I see this as a conflict of self-art and standardized art. I may be categorically incorrect in generalizing only two types, but hell, it's my blog and I write what I want(though I realize I am subject to opinion of those more knowledgeable, which are most). I define both of these categories broadly, the former being art that I enjoy visually seeing/sensing and the latter being a general consensus of what art is based on it's different sub-genres and experts.

I recognize that standardized art ratings and critiques and categories are more of a corporeal and instantiated method in establishing what constitutes 'good' art. Like the A-F grading system of schools, it is a way to review those who we think are doing well versus those who aren't. I find myself trapped in this standardization often as it is the only way in which a peer is able to acknowledge your own work.

However, the question that hits me the hardest in hindsight is: what do I care what other people think? I am enjoying my work and I believe that I am learning from my work. Who has the right to judge my work? This, of course, goes into the idea of self-art. I am my own harshest critic and I am my own appraiser. I like what I like. The problem with this view is learning and conceitedness. Assholes are people who only enjoy what they create and nothing else. Also, we exist in a world where other people actually exist. We can understand the perspective of the self, but is that truly enough? As with philosophy, I don't believe that we can delve into ourselves and find the answers we seek at the roots like Descartes. Nor can we, at the same time, find the answers we seek in the opinion of others... yet two heads are better than one. A true dialog cannot exist within one person and perhaps the shared consensus between more than one person paints an abstract picture(pardon the pun) of what quality is in art.

One of the discussions in Robert Pirsig's book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, brings up this issue of quality. His character introduces two pieces of writing to his class and has them judge which contained better quality. While the students were able to choose which paper had a better quality, they were not able to explain what quality is. We know what quality is, but we can't explain it.

The reason I mention any of this(to bring me back to what I was discussing before) is that I have issues with my photos. I am sure I can look for something on google and also something scientific to tell me what the most standard visual spectrum of light would be 'best' and I probably will, but it does make me wonder whether my own opinion means anything. I want to find the balance between the cool and warm, to be able to step back and see things in more of a perspective rather than being in it and being confused(or worst yet, being content).

I am only beginning to grasp at something I can faintly understand, but perhaps the lesson is not in understanding, but in the effort and knowledge.