TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

There has been some discussion about the emotions and the imagination of the photographer, when taking a photo. Here is another question that I believe is important for success: Why are you taking the photo? Is this important at all... Do you just want a "pretty picture." Or, do you just take a photo and THEN decide what to do with it?

I take photos for documentation, for promotion of business, for personal reasons, for artwork, and for entertainment. When I take a photo, I usually know (or I think I know) the reason I am taking the photo. Some times a lot of planning is involved. This is not saying that the subjects we photograph, cannot be used for different purposes. What I do think is true most of the time is, there are different ways to prepare and present your work, depending on its purpose.

Below, I have two photos of the same mare, but I had two distinct purposes for taking the photos. For me, this meant there would be two different kinds of processing. One photo was taken to promote a "Mare For Sale." The other photo was processed to "Sell the Photo." Again, in my opinion, these two different photos, of the same subject, needed to be presented and processed differently.

So, please share your thoughts. Do you use different processing, depending on the intended use of your photos.
Examples welcome.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

It would be foolish to not use different approaches to a finished image depending on the final use of that image. However, visualizing the final image prior to taking an exposure, to me, is paramount.

Once I can visualize the final image, or print if I may, I then measure the light available, the range between the dark portions of the scene and the light portions of the scene. This will determine the camera settings needed to produce an exposure which will render the original capture such that the visualized print can be made from it.

I have familiarized myself with the various processes and the results, or limits of results, they provide. I don't take an exposure, then play let's see what this does to make a final print. I've already done that experimentation long ago. So, my selection of processing steps and procedures is well formulated prior to clicking the shutter and capturing a subject.

Do I process every image the same? No. If I am working for someone, I try to have them describe, to the best of their ability, what it is they expect the final image to look like. Again, knowing that information, I'll make the exposure to facilitate arriving at an image suitable to the person for whom I'm working.

For myself, I will look at a scene, or subject, and feel the sense of emotions inspired by the scene. That guides me to visualizing the scene as I see it and wish to present it in a final version. That guides me through the measurement and evaluation of the range of light, thus the exposure, and then the initial processing and final processing of the image. Although the steps are pretty much the same in almost all cases, the degree to which I apply the planned processing will vary from photograph to photograph.
--Bob

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Interesting discussion, TG!

I've never tried to sell any of my photos, so that aspect isn’t in the equation. Mostly I just love being out in nature and experiencing the beauty.

Sometimes I’ll push the button because of “pretty,” but often I’ll try to think about how a viewer will receive it, e.g. thumbs up/thumbs down :) Doing this helps me be more deliberate in my composition and thoughtful in my attempt to make the image have a bit of impact - to convey what I was most attracted to in the moment.

PP varies: sometimes I’ll go in an entirely different direction from my original response to the scene and other times all I do are minimal edits to the raw file. And then there are the times where I might find 3 or 4 different interpretations, all of which I like!

I’ve often said that photography is a joyous hobby for me. I hope what I’ve outlined here expresses that.

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

What kind of photos do you take, Bob? From what I am reading, you use the same processing on photos, just in varying degrees.

You wrote, "Although the steps are pretty much the same in almost all cases, the degree to which I apply the planned processing will vary from photograph to photograph."

For me, taking a photo is not an "emotional experience."

You wrote, "I will look at a scene, or subject, and feel the sense of emotions inspired by the scene."

I normally have one of several purposes for taking photos. And, I don't usually have time for, "complicated."
:-P Sorry, I have feelings, but not so much about photos. At least, not until I sit down and make a dreamy rendition. I have to have more invested than just doing the clicks. We are different, thus the question.... Why do we take the photos we take. Each of us have our own answers and purpose.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Two questions.
#1 Why am I taking the photo?
As "memory" for myself, my family, or for a "client".
or
As a technical challenge and/or a reason "to get out of the house".

#2 Do I process them differently?
Yes.
Sometimes they are purely for technical reasons (like noise reduction etc)
Sometimes it is to meet a "clients" needs.
For myself, sometimes almost anything goes.

Example:
This lady sits beside me when I am post processing images of her. She also approves or suggests changes to images of the choir she sings in before I upload them. The choir is a "client"

Example

(Download)

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

Hi Linda, I understand where you are coming from and your photographs being a, "joyous hobby." I started taking photos because photos/videos were an integral part of what I do. So, I guess I have a more pragmatic outlook. It was simple for me. A great photo made a sale. A lousy photo didn't. Sometimes that is called "motivation," as well. :-)

You DO take photos with impact and I am happy you commented. And, as I see it, you DO have a "purpose," for taking your photos.

"but often I’ll try to think about how a viewer will receive it, e.g. thumbs up/thumbs down..." AND, all of us give you "thumbs up!" You make great choices when you "click-it." And great choices when you PP.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I mostly take landscape photos. However, having a camera, I'm oft times asked to photograph various subjects. These can be products, people, etc. I tend to stay away from weddings, as they are just too hectic. I'll shoot at weddings, but as a second unit photographer.

No matter how fast I have to work, I still sense the emotions provoked by the subject. If I don't, I tend to capture snapshots which, to me, are of little interest.

The steps / techniques are pretty much the same, though. I'll carefully meter the scene, make the exposure based on that, some preliminary work (if not developing a negative, steps similar in ACR), then secondary work (equivalent to making a print in the darkroom). These steps are done regardless of a color or black and white image in PS. I'll do a white balance, burning and dodging, and vignetting.

If I'm working from a scanned negative, I'll do a minor amount of spotting to remove the odd dust spec or two.

Most of my processing is done to music of various choices.
--Bob

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

Richard, that is a wonderful photo! It is lovely, with the client somewhat blurred, making the child the focus.

As for the reason for taking photos, being important when post-processing...I like this reason you gave, "to get out of the house." I do that sometimes, as well. And, sometimes that does present a "technical challenge." :-)

You are great at what you do and it looks like your client appreciates your skills :thumbup:

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

OK, Bob, I can imagine you do see a lot of "emotion" when photographing weddings. Those are always quite "emotional." :-P

With your landscapes, I can see where you would have a workflow that includes mostly the same post-processing, in varying degrees Are the landscapes for yourself, for sale, or are they for competition? Would you do anything differently, for a photo you were using for competition?

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

"Most of my processing is done to music of various choices.
--Bob"

Bob, I forgot to say that I think music is a great idea. Would be much better than my TV being on the political MSM channels.

Do you have one of your photos you can post, as an example of your PP? Everyone can take this opportunity to show what they are doing with their photos.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Sure. Thanks for the opportunity. One digital and one film.

Digital

(Download)

Film

(Download)

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Thanks very much.
I had better do what that lady wants as she is my wife.
:-)

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Snap Shot Loc: California

Very nice!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Probably should not answer or join in here but what the heck. Im a philistine so I just spray and pray when taking shots. Not a lot of thought other than the subject matter attracted me. Then walk around it and start shooting.Typical tonite on the way to the dentist spotted 3 smart motorbikes parked up Stopped and took over 40 shots including some bracketed for possible HDR. Left the dentist and spotted some new street lighting laid in its side so took a dozen shots from different angles. Then further on an hotel with an interesting outside stairway. Another 4 shots.
No idea what they will look like until downloaded and then and only then will I decide if i keep them and how I will PP them.
I do not sell images but have been asked a few times. If I like you I give it to you for free if I do not like you it stays with me.
None of my images are planned certainly none have anything to do with visions and if the viewer wants to make up a story about it that's just fine with me. You can bet your next months salary my story would be different.
Im familiar with the bits of the camera I use and can work my way around Photoshop.
To me its just a pastime although one I devote a lot of time too. I aint a photographer Im a snapper and nothing more. Those who call themselves Photographers or worse still artists when they clearly are not keep me constantly amused. Plumber or receptionist by day, pick up a Canon at night and be transformed into a photographic artist. Oh yea?
Told you when I started this I was a philistine but I do try and produce a reasonable image whilst having fun capturing the original snap.