Post Processing - Evil?

Post Processing
     It is highly debated and often misunderstood. One of our members recently showed me where some photographers where complaining about the top candidates in a photography competition. The argument, as is the argument with many such things was if processes like colorization, HDR, and other such options should be allowed in competitions like that. So what is the difference between  photography and digital art? Well I can tell you that I do not feel like I have the ability nor the right to decide that for you. I would say that if it started in the camera and is comprised of 1 or more photos, it is a photograph or a composite of photographs...

      Over the years I have seen my idea of photography change. I don't know if it is the fact that I have learned how to create a technically sound exposure in the camera or if it is because I have learned how to take my shots to the next level. As i stated in a previous blog, my goal, every time, is to get it right in camera. The perfect exposure for that scene... That exposure will give me greater leeway when I get to the computer and will give me a much broader ability to finish the image.

Bad Editing Example

    Now we have all seen this type of image (right). IMO it is an extreme example of over processed and does not represent what I would want my work to be.
   Processing has changed over the years but in many ways the the ideas for many photographers is still the same. First, create an image that makes you feel, create an image that is pleasing to the eye for others, create an image that tells a story... Photographers have been using on camera filters for years. polarizing, ND's, Warming, cooling, golds, and other colored filters. Some are used today and some have been duplicated in software.
    

http://www.fourandsix.com

http://ethicsinediting.files.wordpress.com

 History:
     Photo manipulation has been around for a LONG time as seen in the iconic image above and right. Believe it or not the Holy Grail of purist photography used to allow a lot more editing than they do these days. This image of a National Geographic actually had the photo manipulated to fit the cover here. Think Content aware fill in Photoshop... But this was film in 1982.
     Now do not get me wrong, I am not bashing the true Purist out there by any means. The photographers that have learned their craft over several decades and know what they are about. even they know that a digital camera is incapable of capturing the full gamut of colors seen by the human eye. And yes, they do use photoshop or other software to color correct, dodge, and burn.
Ansel Adams, often referred to as one of the best visual communicators ever, used red filters to turn the sky black in many of his early works. Ironically the same works that made him famous to start with (pre group f/64)

http://blog.syracuse.com/shelflife/2008/02/adams.jpg

So are you beginning to see what I am getting at yet? Is processing an image for visual benefit a good or bad thing? I use it, I like it. Would Adams have used photoshop?
Read this article and you be the judge.
http://focusonphotography.blogspot.com/2008/07/ansel-adams-and-lone-pine-photograph.html

Post 10 minute edit

Pre Edit

These Images show a some what strong handed approach to editing but one necessary to create the visual effect and draw the eyes to the main point and not the distractions


Winners
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our recent winners

Pete Watson brought life to spring with his Spring in Black and White high key.

Pete, a photographer for over 30 years spends his time with his family and giving to kids as a mentor and foster parent
I could write about Pete's ability with a camera but after reading a short Bio about Pete all I can say is what stand up guy. You just cant beat a guy like that. He fits in perfect with with this amazing group! Welcome Pete and Congrats!







Richard Yarbrough wheels us over with these rusty old train wheels.

Richard, Ohhh Richard... what can ya say about Richard... Well besides he takes amazing photos and does not even have to leave his front porch to do so. I seriously log into FB just to see if Richard has posted a picture that morning...

The 6 P's

Holly Smith Shanks, waxes the competition with her waxed leaves photo here. The color, contrast, and DoF really make this image pop and the composition is spot on. Great job Holly! You can find more of Holly's images right here Holly Shanks Photography

So as you all may have noticed, I took a bit of a break from the blog so that I could evaluate where I was going with it in the first place. My primary goal has always been to try to be informative and introduce photographers so that others may get to know them and their work.
As many of you know, I have a few photographers that really inspire me such as Chase Jarvis, Doug Gardner, and many of you. Much of my photography is inspired by what I see from others, twisted into my own little creation that makes me feel good.

Rough List

I am adamant about the techniques of photography as well as the moment. Maybe sometimes to the point of being misunderstood myself. I was taught a phrase quite a while back that has always stuck with me and I refer to it as the 6 P's. Although a bit crude, I apologize in advance if it offends anyone, the semblance is there to keep us on track and set goals for our work, our day, our life. That phrase goes like this, "Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance." When I am photographing nature I am much more loose in my planning and tend to roll with what I see along the way. Oddly I have found this to be extremely common with outdoor shooters. We wing it... and hope for the best. Now what if we were to take the guess work out of it? How about we plan to shoot, and then just be open to the unknown? How do you prepare? Well do you know the area? The subject mater? Roughly what the light will be doing when we are there? Have you talked to knowledgeable people in the area and or field that you are looking to cover? Local experts? The point I am trying to make is that we have an infinite number of ways to be properly prepared for a shoot. Simply sitting down with a note pad and writing out what you need with you or what the goal is, can change the entire shoot. A wildlife photographer studies the animals to know what the animal might do in certain situations. For instance, did you know that many perched birds will generally defecate before taking flight? Many ducks will lock their wings and glide seconds before going into a very fast rowing motion to land in a specific spot/ Knowing the habits of animals or any subject for that mater can make or break you. How often do you think to yourself, dang I missed that shot!
This is all a part of learning to get "the shot". I have said this before and will say it over and over. There is no right way to photograph a subject but there are lots of wrong ways. Take the time to do it right and the image itself will be the reward.

I would also like to congratulate Nikki Kirk for her first published image in a magazine; Rural Montana