Friday April 22, 2022
The difference bewteen the recorder photographer… and the artist photographer… is that the artist will, by experience and learning… force the camera to paint the imagination…the emotion… the concept and the intent… rather than faithfully and truthfully reproduce an unnatractive and unflattering record.
— Anonymous
Remember, not everything is a picture. A good eye can edit before the shutter opens. — Craig Coverdale
The conversation has come up again!
First I would like to apologize for my lack of work lately. I’ve been terribly uninspired and just couldn’t find anything to speak about.
Photo Editing – Yay or Nay?
“In a photography group I’m a member of, someone posted an opinion.
This person first makes it clear that they are a beginner. Then this person goes on to say that photo editing is not for them and looses the idea of what a photograph is, changing it to digital art”.
It’s not a word for word quote and I tried to get the essence of what this person is saying. You know all the bad Press lately of editing and the mistakes that has come to light.
Now the answers to this person were very calm and the posters actually tried to explain the necessity of why Photo Editing is used.
Granted I can understand this person’s idea of not wanting to corrupt the original photograph. If we also include the purists of shooting and getting it right in camera, it then looks like editing is made out to be a crutch or savior!
Now let’s get something out of the way to clear the air. Digital Artist’s are an amazing group of highly talented and creative people. There are several areas on the Net that showcase this kind of Art. They happen to use similar tools as us for their vision.
I’m speaking about Photography and Photo Editing, not including transplanting one’s head on another’s body.
Let’s talk about what happens when we depress the shutter as we attempt to capture an image. I’ll try to keep it simple to avoid this from becoming a text book.
When the shutter opens the Sensor is exposed to the light in the scene.
The light sensitive areas on the sensor are triggered and this information goes to the onboard computer to be analyzed and categorized in its algorithm. Landscape, Portrait and so on. If you have the adjustments in the menu’s set for any specific altering areas on the image they are probably added here. Clarity, Contrast, Focusing and any other enhancements you might decide.
These adjustments are made and were created by some Lab Tech in a white coat in a programming room making decisions on what they think your Art should look like. Look it’s not all bad and good for the majority of those who don’t care. Others like me want complete control and don’t appreciate someone half a world away making artistic decisions on my “Vision’s”!
Your image is then put through an algorithm if it’s for a JPG image.
Repeating information from the image like the areas in a Sky of blue or included white clouds. These bits of information are then removed from the image, then the image is compressed into its JPG state and saved onto the Memory Card. As much as 83% – 85% of the details of your image can be discarded in this process.
This is one of the many reasons some of us shoot in the Raw Format.
I refuse to let a complete stranger let alone a computer programmer make creative decisions on my Art. Also it’s my image and those pixels give me the ability to work the image as my creative mind sees fit.
Throwing out my details? Nope!
Running my images in your Algorithms for identification and Categories? Nope!
Oh wait what did I just describe going on here? A simple form of adjustments to your image. Guess What people, these are in the simplest terms called photo editing. Automated yes but still Photo Editing.
So the Purists who say they don’t edit there images? Those images are already edited!
The Raw Image can Not be uploaded onto the Net for viewing. They must be converted into a JPG image before hand so we the viewer can look at them. Guess what? That conversion is also Photo Editing.
So now we have a basic image saved in the Raw Format. Flat, lifeless and now needs to be edited to bring this image to life that we first saw when we depressed the shutter.
To just add, None of the Menu Creative adjustments on the images work or affect the Raw Image. No information is deleted or discarded. This is why the Raw file is soo much larger than the jpg image file.
The built in meter can be fooled by lighting and shadows. The sensor has a limitation in the very bright light areas and can loose details. This is what we call “Blown Out”. We compensate for this by adjusting the exposure to prevent loss of details in these blown out areas. We’ve all seen these images shared on the Net. Background perfectly exposed but the main subject is either too dark or too light! Or the opposite happens. The main subject is perfectly exposed and the background or foreground is exposed wrong by either too dark or too light. Photo Editing can possibly help.
What about poor lighting or even a mistake by the Sensor for overall color balance or contrast? Maybe the White Balance in the image needs to be corrected. How do we do this? Photo Editing of course.
Photo Editing tools give us a way of both correcting and or enhancing our images. Do we have to do this? Of course not. The tools and techniques are there at our disposal. Is this wrong? That depends on how they are used. Lately in the News there has been a number of situations where “Oh No! That image was retouched”! How dare they! LOL
An Artist who works in either oil or some other medium that needs to be applied to a canvas, parchment or paper has several methods available. They have brushes, many different kinds. They have knives or blades that can apply the medium by its edges. Strokes of the Artist’s hands or fingers given different techniques get different results. Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Color Pencils and so on. All have different tools and methods available to make the results look the way the Artist envisioned in the minds eye.
These are Tools that can be used when needed at the Artists disposal.
What would happen if you inform an Artist that they can no longer use some of these tools? At first it sounds like a good exercise to further one’s ability. Look at any painting! Do you ask what was used to acquire a certain look in a certain part of the painting?
Hmmmm OK let’s take this a bit further. In the days before Digital we had to develop the film first. Then when we get the film back from the darkroom we take these to be printed. Where you might ask? Back in the Darkroom.
You see creating an image in Photography was always a multiple part process. We shoot the film, then develop the negatives, and then finally printing these images by manipulating the light to enhance the final product.
Today we still have a darkroom but now it’s on our Computers. The Digital Darkroom.
Have a Great Weekend
Mark
Study the works of the greatest photographers, like Henri Cartier-Bresson and André Kertész. Try to travel to many parts of the world and understand what a diverse world we live in. — Hiroji Kubota
When we travel it makes us realize how limited our minds are from where we live! The culture, the language, architecture, food, politics and religion.
Travel exposes us to history and the mindset of those whom we’ve studied from our teaching. What most Americans forget is that the United States is still pretty much a young country compared to the rest of world.
Staying in our own little world without venturing beyond the town’s borders gives people a sense of superiority. Comfort maybe? Now there is nothing wrong with living in a small town or village. We’ve met wonderful people throughout our travels. Speaking with them we find out that everyone where they live goes to the same Church. They dress the same, talk the same, have the same ideas and thought. If a stranger passed through they can spot them in a heartbeat.
Those that venture out to explore have told us that they’ve never been out of there hometown before. Different accents, different mindsets, different religious beliefs. I would take a guess and define this as culture shock. When we are approached and they’ve figured out that we come from New York. Usually the first question is asked with wide eyes, “Do you go on the subway”?
We take comfort in the little things that we become accustomed to. We build a box surrounding us to make us feel safe. We go to the same stores, the same restaurants and walk the same streets every day.
In Photography we call this “The Comfort Zone”! You step outside this little world and it hits you smack upside the head! Similar maybe to Stage Fright? Or possibly the reverse of Claustrophobia, if there is such a thing. Trying something new, eating something you’ve never had before. Listening to music you normally ignore. Trying something different! Getting out of your Comfort Zone might inspire you.
Travel is Not for everyone. But it’s the little things that can broaden your mind.
Have a Great Weekend everyone!
All the arts are based on the presence of man, only photography derives an advantage from his absence. Photography affects us like a phenomenon in nature, like a flower or a snowflake whose vegetable or earthly origins are an inseparable part of their beauty. —Andre Bazin
Friday January 7th, 2022
It started snowing last night at about 1:00 am and while taking a peak outside I decided to grab a shot to send to my brother. He lives in the South with his family and always asks me to send him something to remind him how beautiful snow can be. So using my cell so I could text it to him I stuck my head out.
This morning after I woke up I realized that it was early enough to possibly catch something interesting. So turning off the pot for coffee I ran out grabbing my coat and IPad. Yeah I still don’t have a Laptop and Photoshop that wasn’t going to happen.
Running out I was surprised that my timing was good. Only one pass of the plow and it’s been snowing all night.
It’s 6:56 am here now and it’s first light. Coffee in hand sitting while trying to figure what to write. Shot this about 20 minutes ago.
No wind and a light snow fall, first of the season really. Snow sticking to the branches of trees. Clouds muffling the sounds makes it very peaceful and quiet. While walking around I now hear someone pushing a shovel. Even in the city a light snow is still a thing of beauty.
Looking to my right I was drawn to take a walk in the silence. Funny how the urges of nature still call me. Nah not while holding my IPad. A normal camera is one thing. This IPad is smooth and can slip out of my hands. Yeah right loosing it the snow is Not going to happen…
My footprints in the fresh snow.
It doesn’t feel cold really. Just slightly messy and I want to keep my IPad dry….
Hmmm 7:12 am and I’m listening to the plows starting there run down the block. Ha, it’s too early and I’m thinking of putting on my smart TV and going to YouTube so I can listen to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. OK so the neighbors won’t appreciate music appreciation at Sunrise! Headphones your thinking right? Yeah I could but I’ve never really been a fan. My ears are bothering me after a while like talking on the cell too long pressing against an ear.
Oh this is cool. A video of a concert playing Vivaldi Winter on YouTube. I’m going to try to share it. I don’t own or have nothing to do with the video. I’m just sharing for the love of the arts and the classics. Make the volume loud so you can appreciate the beauty of these talented musicians.
We become friends with people on Social media and while I was an administrator for a Photography Group on Facebook. A few of us who kept an eye on things became friends. We would group PM for ideas to create interest. One evening we had several people on group chat and joking around trying to spur each other’s creativity. We always had a good time. The next morning we noticed a post. It was from someone’s daughter saying one of the lady’s had passed away. We were just speaking the night before. Even though I had never met her face to face I had the privilege of hearing her sense of humor. She was intelligent and highly creative. A talented Photographer!
It’s been 4 years since this happened and the Photography Group was never the same. She was such a driving force that anyone who spoke to her instantly called her a true friend. She truly brought out the best in people. Encouraging and complimentary to make you feel good about your ideas.
In Honor of love for Butterflies. This is for you Debs. Miss you…
It’s funny how someone affects you.
Have a Great Weekend everyone!
Mark
The photograph has a double destiny — It is the daughter of the world of externals, of the living second, and as such will always keep something of the historic or scientific document about it; but it is also the daughter of the rectangle, a child of the beaux-arts, which requires one to fill up the space agreeably or harmoniously with black-and-white spots or colors. In this sense the photograph will always have one foot in the camp of the graphic arts, and will never be able to escape the fact. Indeed in every photo you will find the accent placed either on the side of document or of the graphic arts. It’s inescapable. At the beginning, of course, photography began to imitate the various schools of painting but at the time when I started work it had already begun to shake off the shackles of the purely pictorial. In each country we saw a reaction set in with the work of one man — Stieglitz in the U. S. A., Emerson in England, Atget in France. . . . With them the document yielded up its place, like wise the preoccupation with painting ; photography became purely itself, neither less nor more. That is to say that people began to produce images in this medium which could not be produced in any other way whatsoever. As for those who asked (and still ask) in what the photograph differs from every other medium I reply by referring them to the scrap of conversation with Picasso which I have quoted in my book. — Brassai
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New Year!
Literally, no man ever sees himself as others see him. No photograph or reflection ever gives us the same slant on ourselves that others see. It has often been proved on the witness stand that no two people ever see the same accident precisely the same way. We see through different eyes and from different angles. But if we could see things as other people see them, we could come closer to knowing why they do what they do and why they say what they say. — Richard L. Evans
Many years ago, maybe 2008 or so. I finally had the nerve to go out on Thanksgiving morning to try my hand at shooting in Raw! No! I do realize I could have shot using Raw + JPG but I wanted the full experience in my mindset. Walking around I was a bit apprehensive but I bit the bullet so to speak.
Now? It’s second nature with everything I do. This also has recently carried over into Music. That’s listening to music for anyone who thinks I might have a talent in that area. Sorry! Nope!
So raising the bar in the quality of the sound is easily available. Just like the Raw Image above. There is now a method of Lossless High Quality compression that gives much more depth and details in the sound.
Depending on what you are using of course. I would not call myself a HiFi enthusiast. I’ve never had the money to spend on the high end equipment that constitutes “HiFi”. Now after saying that, there are still some things that can be done to increase the level of sound Quality.
First things first. The Source! It seems that the majority of companies are now offering Higher Level sound streaming. Apple Music is looking into this from the last article I read. But that might be for an extra fee. Of course… Even Pandora is also looking into the better quality sound. Amazon Music already has an option from what I’ve heard. Tidal is one that stands out. They offer a Month or Two for Free when you sign up.
If you’re used to listening in the same way all the time, you might be happy with what you have. All I’m asking of you to do is to take just a few minutes of your time.
What was the last song you listened you? Was it something that you might consider having good sound? Nice high notes? Good range and depth of the middle range with wonderful pounding bass?
Go on the Net to YouTube. Search for the exact same song title. But this time after the title type in “HQ Audio” or “HQ Flac” and search. I’m sure a few choices will show up. Listen to several of them to compare this with what you’ve been listening to.
Are you listening on your Phone using Headphones? Your computer or Tablet? It seems that there is a piece of equipment that is not expensive. You plug your Headphones into this and then plug this into your Tablet/Computer or phone. It converts the sound from Digital to Analog and then acts as an amplifier for the Headphones. It’s called “DAC”.
Besides doing this, there are also several Streaming Services that already offer Higher Quality Sound Sources. If you do a search inside “Best Buy” for instance for Streaming Devices, they will list these companies in the description.
All I’m asking is that you try!
Have a Great Weekend!
Mark
Skills are never taught, they are acquired. I can give you a camera, but can’t feed your vision. — Raghu Rai
Lately I’ve been hard pressed for creativity. No inspiration, No drive! The rest of World looks like it’s getting better from the Covid 19 Plague. Last week we got the booster and last night we had gone to help celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau. The first wine that comes from the latest harvest at our Local Favorite French Restaurant.
Now usually when I need inspiration I turn to music. Trying to get the best sound I can with the limitations of what I can afford. I wouldn’t call my setup HiFi or Audiophile quality. So to improve the sound from the source I’ve been researching a better alternative to the usual casual listener standard. I have no argument with Pandora or it’s quality. Nor Streaming in general. But let’s face it. The average person is satisfied with the 2 channel stream.
So I ran across a site on the Net that has a Lossless High Quality download with plenty of titles. The HQ Flac is comparable to shooting in Raw for us. Like us in Photography we need to download the Music and then use an app to uncompress this 24 bit or higher quality. Then either burn it to disk or Flash Drive to make it playable on our systems. So it’s not a regular Streaming Service like Pandora or Spotify. I’ve heard that Spotify has a better quality Stream but of course it’s for more money.
HD Tracks is the name and you can find it here to look around.
Just keep in mind it’s Not a Streaming Service. Also this is where I found out about Flac.
Then I heard about a higher quality Streaming Service called Tidal Tidal
Also keep in mind listening to this means we need a slightly higher level of equipment. There is a portable DAC called Firefly where it plugs into your Phone, IPod, IPad and our Headphones plugs into this to get the true feel of the better Quality Music.
Now for the rest of us who have a better sound system or Home Theater System. We can go over to the YouTube App on our Smart TVs. Set your sound system to 2 Channels and search YouTube for Flac or HQ Flac with your favorite Artist after. Doesn’t matter which genre you prefer. The biggest catalogues are for Jazz and Classical. A lot of others are also available. You like Rock or Heavy Metal? It’s there. I’ll link to YouTube for John Barleycorn by Traffic. Yes the full album in HQ
In the old days I always had music playing in my Darkroom when working.
See just typing about music made me look at my old images of Venice. Here’s a link to Music from Venice. Hope this inspires you. https://youtu.be/mGDEUlJzznw
Have a great weekend.
Very often I try to find something that matches a feeling I have. On the other hand, a lot of times I photograph with nothing specific in mind. I just play it as it comes. If it’s good, fine. I find ‘letting it happen’ relaxing, a playful vacation. Stimulating pictures almost always result. — Minor White
We are over a year and a half of this nonsense. I’m counting from the day after St Patrick’s Day cause that’s when my wife and I officially decided to self-quarantine. The world is still in turmoil even with the vaccine rollout. Here in the States last I had heard we topped well over 500,000 Deaths! What is the current number Worldwide?
People are still either pretending it’s a political story and are refusing to believe it, or are in complete denial because it’s too difficult to believe.
I haven’t heard about people from other parts of the world taking Livestock Deworming Medicine. But there are parts of the States where Farmers are finding it difficult to acquire this. Can you imagine people refusing to take a medication that can protect themselves that is being given Worldwide and instead taking something that is not only Not Recommended by the Medical Community but is more damaging than the Virus itself? Just search for Poison Control Stats about Invermectin. I think that’s how you spell it.
We are living in a full blown SciFi Movie where people are so in denial that they are poisoning themselves because of false information being spread by those whom actually have been Vaccinated!
People taking trips, going on cruise ships. I don’t get it. Waiting it out and being proactive for the short term knowing that once this passes we can resume our “Normal” Lives. We still see those not wearing masks! Again I just can’t follow the logic. We are both vaccinated and still wear masks! Why? Just in case we might have it with out having any symptoms and unknowingly give it to or spread to someone else. It’s really only that simple!
Some claim it’s Infringement of our Freedoms! Yeah well what about my So Called Freedom? We can’t Travel because you’re perpetuating the Virus!
Some cultures have been wearing and using Masks on there own, way before this current Plague. That’s right I said it. That’s exactly what this is, A Plague. Governments and the Medical Community are refusing to call this a Plague because it might scare people. I say if they need to be scared into protecting themselves or others than why Not? They are still trying to compare this to the Common Flu….
People refusing to wear Seatbelts until the Laws were passed! Now we don’t even think about it. We climb inside a car and automatically reach for the Seatbelts right?
A few years ago when it was a rare sight to see someone going about there business wearing a mask. I had spotted this Lady in a Gondola going by on the Grand Canal. I remember trying to figure out why someone would do this. Did she have a Cold and was just being Polite as to not spread her germs?
Oh how I miss traveling! Soon, hopefully….
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