What Is Contemporary Photography

Modern and contemporary are commonly used interchangeably to describe something new or of the moment. However, when we talk about art, modern and contemporary are not the same thing. 

Modern photography refers specifically to a period during the first half of the 20th century when photographic artists moved away from traditional styles. The modernist art period came to an end in the 1960s, and photographic works created after this period are categorized as contemporary photography.

Read on to learn what contemporary photography is and how it is defined.

Contemporary Photography Definition

A photography definition is simply the process of capturing light and images using a camera. Contemporary photographers may work with either analog or digital cameras. 

In the art world, “contemporary” refers to artworks created in the present time or very recent past. Contemporary artists are typically alive and actively working. Therefore, contemporary photography can generally be described as photography created during our lifetime. 

Contemporary photography differs from images created in earlier periods, including those produced during the modernist era just half a century ago.

What Is Contemporary Art?

Unlike many art movements that preceded it, contemporary art does not have a clearly defined time frame or a single unifying style. What is considered contemporary art evolves continuously. What we call contemporary photography today may not be regarded as such in a few decades’ time.

While contemporary photography has no universal aesthetic, it will likely be defined in the future by its use of technology. Advances in digital photography and editing tools have dramatically expanded creative possibilities compared to those available to modernist photographers.

The rapid development of technology now allows smartphones and even wearable devices to capture images. Digital editing software has redefined the role of the contemporary photographer and ushered in a new era of image manipulation.

What is contemporary art? Read more here.

How Photography Became Contemporary Art

When photography was first introduced, it was seen as both a threat to fine art and yet not fully accepted as part of it. It took nearly a century for photography to be fully recognized as a respected form of contemporary fine art. For many years, it remained on the margins of the art world. 

Today, photography is an integral part of contemporary art. Both modern and contemporary photography are widely exhibited in museums and galleries.

Andy Grundberg explores this journey toward acceptance in his book How Photography Became Contemporary Art .

The History of Contemporary Photography

Compared to other artistic mediums, photography has a relatively short history. Since its invention less than two centuries ago, it has passed through three broad movements.

Photography was first created in 1826, initially as a scientific experiment. It took several decades before artists began exploring its creative potential.

Vintage photography refers to the earliest artistic styles. This period was followed by the modernist movement, flourishing between the late 1800s and the 1960s. After modernism came contemporary photography, which remains ongoing without clearly defined boundaries.

While contemporary art is typically created by living artists, some photographers have worked across both modernist and contemporary periods, placing them in overlapping categories.

Famous Contemporary Photographers

Many of today’s most recognized artists are contemporary photographers. Some notable names include:

1. David Hockney

2. Jonas Leriche

3. Andreas Gursky

4. Jeff Wall

5. Annie Leibovitz

6. David LaChapelle

7. Nan Goldin

8. Nobuyoshi Araki

9. Wolfgang Tillmans

10. Shirin Neshat

11. William Wegman

12. Jeff Koons

13. SN

14. Sophie Calle

15. Chris McCaw

16. Hervé Lewis

17. Cindy Sherman

18. Barbara Kruger

19. Sally Mann

20. David Bailey

Enjoying Contemporary Photography

Many collectors appreciate contemporary photography and enjoy owning original works. You can purchase original or one-of-a-kind contemporary photographs through an online art gallery or crypto art marketplace.