Essential Specificity of Photography

The article describes the techniques of semiotic, analytical and phenomenological approaches in considering the ontological basis of the photographic image. Various points of view of researchers (R. Barthes, A. Rouillet, A. Hooke, etc.) on understanding the specific features of photography as a communicative type of fine art are presented. It is noted that there is no single set of features for different types of photography. Photography can act as the original for paintings, and the presence of photo editing tools allows applying effects never seen before. As a result, the work of an amateur photographer can surpass the work of professional photographers. The study concluded that photography should not be reduced to simple automatism, its nature is changeable, and the function of photography should not be replaced by mere information: documentary or imitation. Photographic evidence is rhetorical. The phenomenon of photography is determined by many factors from the spheres of science and art.