Respectful conversations about the art of photography.
Jun 28, 2022 17:51:24 #
Saw all the veins in the leaves of this canna plant thinking it might make a good picture. When I took the picture it had a very strong green color that distracted from the veins/texture. I went in and tried several different looks, Black & White, desaturate some of the color, high contrast and others till I settled on changing the green to burgundy making it more of an abstract. I did nothing to change the leaves other than color. I did add the black texture in background for additional pop.
All comments are welcome on this image. I like it but is it just me? Is it art? Is it a photograph?
All comments are welcome on this image. I like it but is it just me? Is it art? Is it a photograph?
Jun 28, 2022 18:29:55 #
I am sure the SOC people are flipping out about now. I take it you are using poetic license with this image. As far as I’m concerned there s nothing wrong with that. You are a photographer not a photo journalist documenting a scene. Photo manipulation has been around as long as there has been photography. Be it done in the darkroom or on a computer.
Jun 29, 2022 07:55:38 #
Jim-Pops wrote:
Saw all the veins in the leaves of this canna plan... (show quote)
"Art" will always be interpretation. That is why it is "Art".
In photography, one starts with an image that was "captured". Then it was manipulated. But, we can start the manipulation even before taking the image. We start the interpretation the moment we see something.
Jun 29, 2022 08:03:52 #
When FYC first opened for business in 2015 there were topics about whether photography is art and whether a specific photo could be classified as art. I'm pretty sure we don't have a definitive answer yet 
Main discussion topics go on for days about the exception of photojournalism, about wet darkroom manipulation, the definition of "straight out of camera" given all the in-camera controls these days, and so forth. Over the years I've developed (ha ha) the mindset that labels and classifications are not useful in a forum such as UHH. Most of us are simple amateurs who enjoy our hobby in a variety of ways and enjoy the postings of many others on the site.
The friendships, opportunities to learn and share and be inspired, that's why I keep coming back.
Main discussion topics go on for days about the exception of photojournalism, about wet darkroom manipulation, the definition of "straight out of camera" given all the in-camera controls these days, and so forth. Over the years I've developed (ha ha) the mindset that labels and classifications are not useful in a forum such as UHH. Most of us are simple amateurs who enjoy our hobby in a variety of ways and enjoy the postings of many others on the site.
The friendships, opportunities to learn and share and be inspired, that's why I keep coming back.
Jun 29, 2022 08:13:52 #
Jim, regarding your posted photo, I find the processing somewhat harsh for the subject, given its appealing gentle curves. I very much appreciate your talking about why and how you changed the look; it's always a gift when the OP shares some of his/her decision-making. For me that is the diference between a forum where folks actively participate and a website where we just "look."
Jun 29, 2022 08:21:34 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
When FYC first opened for business in 2015 there w... (show quote)
Just a sidebar, what are your plans for celebrating your forthcoming decade with UHH?
Jun 29, 2022 10:14:59 #
Jim-Pops wrote:
.....When I took the picture it had a very strong green color that distracted from the veins/texture.....
You are 100% right that changing the colour makes us see it in a new light. B&W would probably have been at least as good if that was your specific goal for the shot. Your comments suggest that the veins and the texture were your main interest. Is there a particular reason why you thought B&W wasn't what you were looking for? While the change of colour makes us look at it differently, some PP to enhance the veins and textures wouldn't have gone amiss. Or did you find something more worthwhile in the course of the edit? Enhancing the texture would probably weaken the abstract side of it - did you decide to opt for the abstract look as a preference?
Jun 29, 2022 11:38:33 #
I actually like it quite a bit. Whether it is considered art or a photograph is irrelevant to me. It’s an image that is quite pleasing in my opinion. I think we “create” images” that are first pleasing to us, then we present them to the viewers for hopefully their viewing pleasure. I think you succeeded here.
Jun 29, 2022 11:53:46 #
R.G. wrote:
You are 100% right that changing the colour makes ... (show quote)
I did try Black & White thinking it would work but that too was to harsh and I couldn't find a way to tone it down with out it looking like a bad Edit. This color was somewhere in-between.
Jun 29, 2022 11:58:43 #
Thanks for all the comments so far. I think everyones perspective is interesting not just for me but others too.
Jun 29, 2022 16:48:57 #
Jim-Pops wrote:
Saw all the veins in the leaves of this canna plan... (show quote)
As something of a vein and texture junkie myself, Jim, I can really appreciate your attraction to the Canna's detailed features. I have generally favored a relatively high dose - many would certainly suggest an overdose - of texture and/or clarity in ACR. Did you give that a whirl?
On you specific questions, if you began with a camera, I'd say it is a photograph. Given your interest here, I'd say it is art. For me personally, I prefer to feel the gritty crunch of those details, so it falls a trifle short of what I strive for; however, the only thing I can recall from my graduate course in aesthetics is "de gustibus non disputandem est," or there's no arguing about taste, and I know others would prefer yours over mine. Not every at bat can be a grand slam.
Jul 2, 2022 15:04:45 #
I really like your image and I would consider this finished piece, a work of art. You initially took it as a photo because something in it caught your eye. To me the art part is how you've changed it to incorporate your own idea and feelings of how to present it. I like the simplicity of the macro crop, the soft image, and muted palette. I could easily see this as a large canvas print hanging over a fireplace in a white predominant living room.
I've been working the last couple days trying to find an abstract I like well enough to make it into a canvas print over our fireplace for the summer, but to no avail. I'm probably trying too hard, which in itself means it's not going to be good. I know it's a couple days late in replying, but I enjoyed your image too much not to say something. Bev
I've been working the last couple days trying to find an abstract I like well enough to make it into a canvas print over our fireplace for the summer, but to no avail. I'm probably trying too hard, which in itself means it's not going to be good. I know it's a couple days late in replying, but I enjoyed your image too much not to say something. Bev
Jul 2, 2022 17:09:50 #
Thanks Bev. I could see this on canvas too. I made sure I kept it large enough for a large print if anyone wants it.
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