Filters, post-production, purism or anything goes?
Dec 13, 2017 07:14:08 #
I submit for discussion a photo I took at a steam railway station in central Scotland. The original version of this photo was good, but I put it through a filter in an app called Prisma. I rather like the effect. I certainly don’t do this to all my photos but once in a while I enjoy the difference such a process can make. I presume most of us crop, saturate, lighten, darken our photos to one extent or another, and there will be members here who never do. Is using pre-designed filters a no-no for you, or do you think that anything goes? Where do you draw your particular line in the sand?
Dec 13, 2017 07:16:24 #
Yankeepapa6
Loc: New York City
gandl333 wrote:
I submit for discussion a photo I took at a steam ... (show quote)
It's not my cuppa of tea.
Dec 13, 2017 07:18:00 #
gandl333 wrote:
I submit for discussion a photo I took at a steam ... (show quote)
Personal preference dictates usage.
Dec 13, 2017 07:19:24 #
Dec 13, 2017 07:22:53 #
ed2056
Loc: Warwick, RI
Personally, I do as little post production as possible. If I'm looking for a certain look I'll use optical filters to get the job done. I guess you could call me a purist. I must admit though, I have seen some effects that I find pleasing yet haven't tried.
Dec 13, 2017 07:23:47 #
The old saying "Whatever floats your boat" would apply here, in my opinion. If you, or in the case of a professional, your customer, is happy with the results then all is good. I experimented with star filters at one time and had some fun. Haven't done that in a while.
Dec 13, 2017 07:32:35 #
I really like it even though you did not ask. Time limits the amount of post-production. If I had the time I would do lots of creative process's with my photos.
Dec 13, 2017 07:56:28 #
Dec 13, 2017 09:09:16 #
There is photographic realism and there is “art” (however you define the term). Both are valid ways of interpreting a scene. The existence of either does not prohibit the other from existing. As UHH member “LFingar” commented above “whatever floats your boat” or in this case, “runs your train”. To me, this is a pleasant image.
Dec 13, 2017 09:16:58 #
I like the look of your edited image. It's an interesting subject and composition with rich colors and a few fun details, such as the person in the observation building. Aside from photojournalism, I think of photography as art, in which you can express yourself in any way you wish. I do draw the line at deliberate deception when in a photo forum such as this. For example, I have a recent topic of the moon as part of composites. I would not try to pass off any of those shots as real time/place.
If I were showing a grouping in an exhibit and it was understood to be "art photography," then I'd feel no need to explain.
Unfortunately your topic comes on the tail of a very similar discussion that is now at 17 pages long
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-501325-1.html
And a related:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-501309-1.html
My opinion is reflected in the two articles linked in my signature. Find your own voice, enjoy your journey, and express yourself.
If I were showing a grouping in an exhibit and it was understood to be "art photography," then I'd feel no need to explain.
Unfortunately your topic comes on the tail of a very similar discussion that is now at 17 pages long
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-501325-1.html
And a related:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-501309-1.html
My opinion is reflected in the two articles linked in my signature. Find your own voice, enjoy your journey, and express yourself.
Dec 13, 2017 09:20:47 #
There is no line in the sand unless you claim to be showing what is real, like a photojournalist.
IMHO
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IMHO
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Dec 13, 2017 16:16:38 #
As with every image you see, there are those that you like and those that don't. Post processing is a double edged sword...some people can make the cut and some people can't....Personally I strive for a 'natural look' or maybe an 'alternative, but lifelike look'.
being a member of a photo club that was big on outside speakers - I have seen many images 'topazed' to death. It is almost a Genre on its own. Monochrome 'looks simple' but requires more highly skilled judgement than colour. Done well it can be extraordinary. (not there yet, but several here are)
The trouble (for me) with filters and pre-set 'effects' is that LIFE is not one dimentional....every minute is different - so how can a single set of 'effects' be appropriate......much better to use ones own judgement and to hell with the distractors. I have no truck with the idea that "I bought these ready made effects so therefore they must work".
Bottom line is that, we each 'like' something in different ways (thank God) so 'creating your own images as you like them HAS to be the name of the game.
being a member of a photo club that was big on outside speakers - I have seen many images 'topazed' to death. It is almost a Genre on its own. Monochrome 'looks simple' but requires more highly skilled judgement than colour. Done well it can be extraordinary. (not there yet, but several here are)
The trouble (for me) with filters and pre-set 'effects' is that LIFE is not one dimentional....every minute is different - so how can a single set of 'effects' be appropriate......much better to use ones own judgement and to hell with the distractors. I have no truck with the idea that "I bought these ready made effects so therefore they must work".
Bottom line is that, we each 'like' something in different ways (thank God) so 'creating your own images as you like them HAS to be the name of the game.
Dec 13, 2017 21:22:04 #
gandl333 wrote:
I submit for discussion a photo I took at a steam ... (show quote)
Was that smoke really that color?
Dec 13, 2017 21:31:41 #
gandl333 wrote:
I submit for discussion a photo I took at a steam ... (show quote)
I claim to be a fine art photographer and thus there is no "line in the sand" for me.
Dec 13, 2017 23:56:29 #
gandl333 wrote:
I submit for discussion a photo I took at a steam ... (show quote)
It's an appropriate treatment for such an image. But not the only one. Personally I range from artistic/impressionistic to dead-on reality. But every image I show or post is processed. It's been that way for me for the past 50 yrs, with the exception of color film which was notoriously difficult, but not impossible, to adjust after the fact.
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