This past weekend, I had the opportunity at the Scott Kelby Woldwide Photowalk in Cave Creek to talk to many
photographers. The most interesting discussions were not between nature or portraits,
architecture or landscapes, kids or street scenes, but about the value or destruction
caused by post processing photos.
I admire those photographers that believe that the photo is in the viewfinder. What you
see is what you get. However, between what I see and what shows up can be a million
miles apart. The eye is the best lens (thank you Alex). Digital photography can process
the pixels, the exposure, the depth of field..it’ can’t process what you’re feeling– what you
wanted to say.. It was brighter, it was happier, it was warmer, it was more dramatic.
In earlier years, it was typically up to whoever developed your pictures to do this for
you. Now, we can do it. WE can convey not only the scene, but the emotion. A tweak, a
crop, an adjustment in Lightroom . A few years ago I went to an Ansel Adams display. Guess what?
He “photoshopped” the heck out of his images. What to burn, what to dodge, what to
remove…..the same thing we have the ability to do now.
The pianist learns not only the keys, but the use of the pedals to convey emotion.
My advice…my lessons learned…take time to learn the tools of the trade. Show your
world your world, what you saw, what you felt. You don’t take snapshots, you take art.
Learn your art.
There are flaws inherit in the mechanics of a digital camera. There are no flaws in your
heart and passion. Embrace it all.
To enjoy photo-walks all year long join the Photographers Adventure Club !
Sandy Klewicki
Portfolio: http://www.klewickiphoto.com/
LOVE THIS!! Thanks for that perspective!
I tell everyone my art begins with the viewfinder and shutter, then it’s a long arduous process of love after that to create the image I see in my mind’s eye. Those who think we just shoot and post are wrong.
Nice post. Yes, the eye is the best lens however all photoshop/lightroom has done is takeover the part of processing your negative in a darkroom (Yes you can go crazy with it too) but we’re constantly moving forward in every aspect in life and have more tools availiable to use. So why not use them?
Excellent post Sandy! I think people sometimes forget photography is an art. What one may think is over the top post processing is perfect for another. There are many editing tools for us to bring out what we feel is the best expression of the image that we have captured and I would rather have them available and not need them then be limited in how I produce my work. Thanks again for your post
Well said, Sandy, I agree. My sensor doesn’t see what I see. The immediacy is nearly always added in post-processing because the sensor’s output is, well, blah.