The term vernacular photography is used in several related senses. Each is in one way or another meant to contrast with received notions of fine-art photography.[1][2] Vernacular photography is also distinct from both found photography and amateur photography. The term originated among academics and curators, but has moved into wider usage.
- ^ Bell, Kim (2020). Good Pictures: A History of Popular Photography. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-1503608665.
[T]he category of the vernacular is defined mostly by what it excludes: fine art.
- ^ Comments by Douglas R. Nickel (September 1, 2000). "Vernacular Photographies: Responses to a Questionnaire". History of Photography. 24 (3): 229. doi:10.1080/03087298.2000.10443412. S2CID 262301230.
If a photograph wasn't made for non-utiliarian, self-consciously expressive reasons that allow it to be designated 'art,' it devolves to this grab-bag left-over category designated 'vernacular.' Vernacular is thus defined not by what it is, but what it isn't.