Photography
Nov 24, 2015 16:35:34 #
AZ Dog
Loc: Peoria, AZ
I subscribed to UHH to maybe learn a bit more about photography. I can't even be called a serious photographer, but I like what I do. There is one subject that really bugs me though. That is Post Processing. So much of what I see on UHH is not photography, but a bunch of "I can do this better than you can" For example, a person submitted his shots from Hawaii that had been altered so badly they were just downright UGLY. I have been to Hawaii many times and there are many opportunities to get great shots without PP. What would Ansel Adams or David Muench do? Anyone out there feel the way I do?
Nov 24, 2015 16:41:21 #
AZ Dog wrote:
What would Ansel Adams do?
Very high quality post-processing like he always did with the wet chemical stuff...
He would probably be in awe of the tools that we have available today, and would invest in learning how to get the best out of them....
Owning a Steinway concert grand piano doesn't make anyone a good pianist, although in Ansel's case....
Nov 24, 2015 16:48:31 #
This topic is posted weekly on UHH. And as already mentioned, Ansel created his masterpieces in the darkroom! Dodging, burning, contrast, on and on - that was not done in-camera.
Read this one. Very thoughtful discussion:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-349602-1.html
Read this one. Very thoughtful discussion:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-349602-1.html
Nov 24, 2015 16:49:14 #
AZ Dog wrote:
I subscribed to UHH to maybe learn a bit more abou... (show quote)
Most people use their cameras badly and don't get anywhere near the potential that is there. Same thing with post processing. Generally, the better photographers are also the best at post processing. Ansel Adams aggressively post processed his images in the darkroom. But he was very good at it.
Nov 24, 2015 16:50:20 #
AZ Dog wrote:
What would Ansel Adams or David Muench do? Anyone out there feel the way I do?
As Peterff noted, both would probably make an exposure that would permit them to do the pp they had in mind that would absolutely make the image theirs. And their mastery of pp would put most all of us to shame.
Nov 24, 2015 16:52:58 #
Probably not, in all reality. There are several who profess to 'straight out of camera' expertise. However most mortals will use whatever they can to 'fix' their photo's as they want them. The pro's and cons of PP generally gets aired regularly, you could do a search as you will gain more access to replies to this kind of thread than you would by rehashing it. Like all things in life there is no accounting for taste nor artistic licence. Equally PP programmes allow for self expression. Thankfully there are no photography police to interfere, however much one might hope, on the odd instance.
If you are happy with your shots, fair enough. Please be aware though, that 'fixing' film has as long a history as taking pictures or setting up 'natural' shots. It would be extremely difficult to find a definative photographer who hadn't doctored something somewhere.
Be positive, think how much computer time you save!
If you are happy with your shots, fair enough. Please be aware though, that 'fixing' film has as long a history as taking pictures or setting up 'natural' shots. It would be extremely difficult to find a definative photographer who hadn't doctored something somewhere.
Be positive, think how much computer time you save!
Nov 24, 2015 17:00:17 #
AZ Dog wrote:
... For example, a person submitted his shots from Hawaii that had been altered so badly they were just downright UGLY.
I have been to Hawaii many times and there are many opportunities to get great shots without PP...
I have been to Hawaii many times and there are many opportunities to get great shots without PP...
Your idea of ugly and your idea of great are just...your opinions. Photography as art is personal expression and full of conflicting opinions when viewed by others. Might as well just accept that not every photo you view will be to your liking.
btw, have you seen what is printed in photo magazines? :)
Nov 24, 2015 17:05:48 #
Black and White, no question -- everyone post processed in the darkroom, when needed or for art. But color transparencies any format, were fixed how? Those Kodachromes and Ektachromes etc? And they were dominant in many commercial venues, and still have a strong presence? That could only practically be altered when doing color separations for the web press.
That you can make something different, that you can correct problems with the environment or execution of an image, with post processing unquestionably. You can do it for your Art, or not.
Some women can apply invisible makeup and look fabulous -- for many others, it is just paint, and nearly as obvious.
PP is just a tool like the camera- some use one or the other well, a few both.
That you can make something different, that you can correct problems with the environment or execution of an image, with post processing unquestionably. You can do it for your Art, or not.
Some women can apply invisible makeup and look fabulous -- for many others, it is just paint, and nearly as obvious.
PP is just a tool like the camera- some use one or the other well, a few both.
Nov 24, 2015 17:18:59 #
AZ Dog wrote:
I subscribed to UHH to maybe learn a bit more abou... (show quote)
You would have a hard job finding ANY digital photo that hasn't been processed to some degree. If you shoot JPEG then the processing is being done in-camera, whether you realize it or not. If you are shooting RAW then it is being done on your computer. As far as Ansel Adams, from what I know of him, he probably would have loved what can now be done and how quickly it can be done.
Just because someone posted, in your opinion, badly processed photos, doesn't mean there is anything wrong with processing. Processing, both good and bad, has been happening since photography started.
Nov 24, 2015 17:28:44 #
LFingar wrote:
You would have a hard job finding ANY digital photo that hasn't been processed to some degree.....
That would likely be true for film also, with the possible exception of Polaroids..., any chemical processing has a few variables to take into account even for slides...
Nov 24, 2015 17:29:22 #
AZ Dog
Loc: Peoria, AZ
I digress, I just do not like shots that are processed to the point that I do not think they can be called photos.
Nov 24, 2015 17:31:33 #
AZ Dog wrote:
I digress, I just do not like shots that are processed to the point that I do not think they can be called photos.
Sure, but that can be your subjective preference or it can be less than wonderful work, or just someone that has a different vision and objective...
It's bit like comparing portraits by Rembrandt, Picasso, Dali or Lichtenstein....
Nov 24, 2015 17:36:00 #
"Post processing" does not really exist to me as I consider everything from start to finish to be a continuous process. I work with film and I do not consider my negatives to be a finished product. The print is the end product which is what I care about. Everything before that just leads up to the print.
As Adams would say "the negative is the score and the print is the performance." Few people care about a score but they enjoy the performance. The score only really matters to the conductor and the musicians not the audience.
That being said editing photographs is a part of the medium going back to nearly the beginning. Look up Gustave Le Grey, Henry Peach Robinson and Oscar Gustav Rejlander. Also, a photograph is any image that is created as a result of recording light.
As Adams would say "the negative is the score and the print is the performance." Few people care about a score but they enjoy the performance. The score only really matters to the conductor and the musicians not the audience.
That being said editing photographs is a part of the medium going back to nearly the beginning. Look up Gustave Le Grey, Henry Peach Robinson and Oscar Gustav Rejlander. Also, a photograph is any image that is created as a result of recording light.
Nov 24, 2015 17:37:01 #
AZ Dog wrote:
I subscribed to UHH to maybe learn a bit more abou... (show quote)
I know Ansel Adams was an absolute Master at tweaking his processing.
If you have ever done any B&W developing you know what I mean.
Craig
Nov 24, 2015 17:38:34 #
Peterff wrote:
Very high quality post-processing like he always did with the wet chemical stuff...
He would probably be in awe of the tools that we have available today, and would invest in learning how to get the best out of them....
Owning a Steinway concert grand piano doesn't make anyone a good pianist, although in Ansel's case....
He would probably be in awe of the tools that we have available today, and would invest in learning how to get the best out of them....
Owning a Steinway concert grand piano doesn't make anyone a good pianist, although in Ansel's case....
Maybe not, but if you have a dog named Van Cliburn?????
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