Hello Donald and APUG,
I think one of the issues you might run into on internet forums is that most participants will be more technically oriented, and most discussions are more technically oriented. Nothing wrong with that, just that artist expression is rarely discussed. I think some of that is evident in so-called photography magazines, especially those that list what gear and settings were used to capture which images. Quite likely there is a group that would be completely immune to any mention of technical details, or quite happy to plug along with the Flower, Person, Mountain, or other Program setting.
Techniques and technical details can become important when a particular result does not happen, then the search is on to find a solution. You might also find many engineers, scientists, or technically oriented individuals taking up photography as an enthusiastic endeavor. Such people might find a better connection to their own ways of expression through emphasis of technical prowess.
Another group will enjoy the difficulties expressed in their prints. Consider that it is easier to drop off film at a lab, and have them do the work, though some will see that as less genuine. Of course, I do my own oil paintings, but I would not consider making my own brushes; I have mixed my own paints from raw materials, but that was mostly just to see if I could do that. My feeling is that if an image is strong and connects with a viewer, then it could have been printed in B/W, as Platinum or Palladium, or even offset press into book format. However, some will see the Platinum print as the best or true expression, despite that many might enjoy the same image in a coffee table book.
Some people will look down upon certain technical aspects: people doing oil paintings might criticize those who use acrylics, people doing Platinum prints might look down upon those who do B/W prints, others might criticize anyone who just takes the photos and lets the lab print them. This is more of the idea of validation of endeavor, an idea that the more difficult or time consuming paths to the end works are somehow more valid or genuine. Luckily, I think this is rare. (Note: I have stretched my own canvases for my oil painting, I have made Platinum prints, and I have made my own B/W (silver) prints in the darkroom, but I have never looked down upon anyone who chose to do things differently, even if they took an even more difficult route).
Symbolism also reflects the perceptions of the artist/photographer. It has been stated that the camera points both directions. Our technical choices might reflect a bit of ourselves, though sometimes that can be a factor of economics (case in point: I would enjoy using an ALPA 12). My own choices reflect how I see, more than what I see. Most of my artistic/symbolic choices come from my desire to tell stories or spur the imagination in others. It does not matter to me if someone sees exactly what I thought, nor if they know why I chose a particular way to express my creative visions.
So for your questions, I feel that our cultures greatly influence our choices, and our lives. They also affect our perceptions of the world around us. Many are so busy that they miss things, so I sometimes work to show things people don't realize. That might be a bit of William Eggelston to some, images that some will not find of interest.
My short and quick approach to fine art is stated in the header description of my website provoke thought, invent the future, discover you true self, which is about as condensed as I can state it. I still think there needs to be some connection to the viewer, which is the reason I state discover your true self. An example, many enjoy hiking, the outdoors, remote locations, etc; those people might find landscape images much more interesting; that is their connection to the images. With provoke thought, I think that is sort of self explanatory, though that does go back to what I mentioned about story telling. The phrase invent the future might also be expressed as a question: where are we headed?
Anyway, APUG can be an unnecessarily harsh group at times, so I expect some to dismiss what I wrote entirely. I don't think you can exhibit fine art, nor do creative work, without getting a thick skin towards criticism. Don't get me wrong, there are some great people here, I just wish they would be more noticeable at times. You posted some intriguing questions, and I hope this becomes a big Hot Topic.
I express myself better visually than I do in writing, so if what I wrote did not make sense, then please feel free to ask more questions. I don't expect agreement to what I wrote, and I respect the views of others. I wish technical barriers were less of a hindrance than they seem, since I feel some of the feeling of needing technical skills might be keeping some away from photography. A painter friend of mine has recently gained an interest in photography, but she is wary of the technical skills needed to express what she wants . . . maybe in this thread I can find ways to convince her to take up photography.
Ciao!
Gordon
