revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Exactly!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Photography is about light. Best of luck.

waterbug49307 Loc: All over, currently Big Rapids Michigan

I shoot, therefore I am!

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

R U putting D cart before D lens?

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

In some ways, I do agree with the thrust of these two comments. It amazes me how much time some invest into trying to figure out things like trying to determine the actual focal length equivalent of a DX lens. Really? Adjust the camera's settings to suit. Place the viewfinder to your eye. Compose. Check exposure, etc. Depress the shutter release. Proceed to the next spot. Repeat the process. It really is that simple. Capture an image that fits your purpose and/or vision. Work on it later, or not, as it suits you. On the other hand, there exists here, in fact, a great deal of discussion centering on the topic of post processing, and whether to engage in same. One guy snottily remarked early on in this thread that he didn't believe there were any such discussions on UHH. Hm. At last check, I noted that this particular thread is up to six pages - and counting.

But does that mean that all this chin music is "crap," or "navel gazing?" I think not. It is, simply, an exchange of thoughts and ideas amongst folks who share a common interest - photography, in this case. If you don't like dealing with this "crap," or of you prefer to avoid engaging in "navel gazing," then why he futz are you reading this forum? UHH is here precisely for the exchange of ideas, technique, process and opinion. If you set aside the snoids who dwell in the Attic, all of us here are communicating with one another - about a form of communication - photography, in hopes of bettering ourselves and our craft.

I do tend to avoid cluttering my photographic pursuits with technicalities, so as to keep my eyes and mind moving, in order to discover new image possibilities. But I have a hard time being quiet when others want to put people down because said people think differently or choose to do things differently. I wonder whether such close-minded folk understand that it is our DIFFERENCES which season this thing we call life. Imagine, if you will, a piano with all the keys tuned to exactly the same note. Or a guitar with six identical strings. The music resulting from such wouldn't be much fun to hear, would it?

Really, people, I hadn't set out to launch a multi-page thread. I just wanted to share an article I ran across, one that, to me, at least, provides a clear rationale for this thing we call "post-procssing." Nothing more.

But I do return to a statement I included in my OP. You don't like what I say or what or how I do things? That's your right. But don't expect me to back away from something just because you don't like it, or because it offends you. I WILL consider arguments and opinions, and give some thought as to whether they fit into what I see, and then, i'll decide for myself what's best, what's suitable for ME.

As the Great Gleason said, "Awaayyyyy we goooooo!!!"

donziska

What a discussion. I think Photography is a light image of a part of the natural world through personal application of reproduction equipment. Don

Quaking Aspen Loc: Cottage Grove, OR

There are similar arguments in many hobbies/endeavors. I turn wood on a lathe. There are some wood turners who eschew the use of carbide tipped turning tools. My feeling is that if you can turn a nice piece with an axe, then by all means use an axe! I guess for me the finished product is what is important and not how you get there. With the caveat that it is your own work and not a simple photographical plagiarism.

machia Loc: NJ

There's another side to all of this , and that is image capture . In May of 1978 and in February of 1988 I witnessed two , once in a lifetime shots . But I did not have my camera .
So using any camera , even a throw away film camera would have captured images not only worthy of a thousand words but of entire paragraphs . Even if the exposure was not entirely correct , these were thought provoking shots .
So when it comes to this Art , ultimately it's what you see and your ability to capture what you see . How you want to present it is entirely up to you as an artist .
And so for me , that is the definition of Photography .

crissx09 Loc: FL-USA

For me, your definition on what is photography is the best with a little modification: First is the Mechanics of capturing light in order to reproduce the scene/subject. Second, through manipulation, you can convert the Picture you got ( that reflect your skills as photographer ) in a piece of Art for some people or a piece of crap for others...

saside Loc: live in pueblo co

Photography is a human construct and as such each of us a different view point. Debate all you want, just don't include me.

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

As I read through this stuff, I cannot help but be reminded of the predicament of Ayn Rand's Howard Roark. You can either adhere to the restrictions imposed by others, or you can push the boundaries. Put another way, you could design McDonald's franchises or you could design houses like Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Waters."

Samuel Clemens, writing as Mark Twain, said it best, methinks. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

I would like to thank all those on this thread who have weathered the personal attacks
but remained to offer sincere thoughts and opinions.
Its that kind of behavior that makes the forum worthwhile.

barrisster Loc: Palm Springs

The principle focus, if you will, in a photograph is the composition. The better photographers, or at least the more experienced, look for a composition that directs the viewer to some aspect of the scene. Is a Monet painting of water lilies any less beautiful if the artist repainted the same water lily three times to bring out some aspect of the flower. I think not. That is the painter's form of post processing. But, if the bridge was not in scene with the light as it was, and lilies positioned where they are, would we will still think the painting was beautiful. I think not. Post processing to add something or to change a basis color or form is not photography in my opinion. But enhancing a scene to bring out the shadows or crop to direct the viewer's direction is more than acceptable. I understand the Ansel Adams spent much time in the dark room, (dodging, etc.) making is photographs more to his liking. Is he any less great??

Djedi

I think the HDR version (very well done, BTW) really opens up the image and takes it from a snapshot to a beautiful photo.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Why does there have to be any kinds of discussions on what is photography? Does there have to be discussions on skiing in order to be able to do it?
Just learn the basics and go out there and do it! Then get better at it by practicing and experimenting.
Photography Is what You make of it. Period.

will