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emarts - Blog
Category: Work in progress
Publish date:04/07/08 @862Editor:
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Photography/Photomanipulation GuidelinesPhotography vs Photo-manipulation I want to get the differentiation out of the way first because when it comes to the quality issues, they will overlap, if not be identical. What makes an image a photo or a manip? Well, I've done some asking around of professional retouchers (and of course I have my own ideas) and the general concensus -- and I'm surprised that there was a consensus -- comes down to the intent of the photographer/manipulator (I prefer the term Photo Editor as manipulation sounds negative and with evil intent). The process to a great photograph starts with the click of the shutter. But even before then, the Photographer has made a few critical decisions that will affect the outcome of the image. In the strictest sense of the term, manipulation starts here: What aperture should I use? Should I add a filter? How long should I expose the image? Should I try zooming or panning effects? The term "straight out of the camera" gets tossed about as if any image just comes straight out of the camera. In fact, the closest to straight out of the camera is probably slide film, and only if you don't cross-process it. So manipulation really begins at the start. So should we consider every image to be a manipulation? Hardly. We need to talk about the intent of the artist. When I take a photo, I think it would be nice if I could just click the image, and bang! the most brilliant photograph is created. But I have a retouching background, and to me, every photo can be helped by some kind of post work. Whether it's to correct bad exposure, to remove a wrinkle, to add other pleasing elements. But the majority of the time when I click that shutter, I want to say something about what it is I am capturing onto the tiny little CCD thingy-whatsit inside the camera. I want to tell a story, describe a mood, put something (or someone) in a positive light. I want the viewer to get caught up in the image, not so much in the creation of the image. So even if I take a hat from one picture and put it on the head of a person in another picture (Sweet Melissa), or soften an image to stress a mood (Perchance to Dream), or add detail to correct a flaw (Prehistory -- in this image the eye was brought it from another photo because the original eye was too much out of focus), the intent is to for the viewer to see and relate to the image. On the other hand, if I the manipulation itself is part of the theme to the image (Ghost Porsche), or I am showing my skill as a retoucher through use of before and after images (Enlighten), then the intent is to showcase the manipulation. To bring attention to the manipulation. Outside of GFXArtist.com, many manipulated photos exist (and I suppose inside too) to fool the viewer into thinking it represents the real world. Here though, since we are all artists and come here for the teaching/learning environment, I think showing off the manipulation is a celebration of the art form. So keep in mind you audience here. They are not the general public. Many of them are you peers with the same experiences and education as you. Speak to them like a king would speak to a king -- with mutual respect. Place your image with this audience in mind. Do you want them to be engaged in the image or do you want them to be in awe with the technique? Neither is wrong. But putting the image in the right category is the first step to getting the comments you seek. |
emarts
Comments (1)
Category: GFXartist Development
Publish date:11/08/05 @198Editor:
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Modding This SiteThere has been some controversy regarding the new "green suits." I've heard that some have pulled their art off the site in protest. I don't get it. If you feel that adding moderators to this community is a bad idea, make your issues known through PMs or start a forum thread about it. Just packing it up and going is no protest at all. It's just giving up. I can't speak for all the moderators or any of the admins, but I can tell you that I am pretty committed to helping out this site in any small way that I can. And especially the Photography section. Awhile back it was suggested that the Photography section be removed from the site. Hearing that news nearly broke my heart. I love the fact that this site nourishes such a diverse group of artists. Getting a comment on one of my photos from a painter's perspective is highly valuable to me. Now I can actually play a part in keeping that atmosphere alive. Helping new artists show their stuff and giving experienced artists a chance to teach others. This site, more than ANY other site I know, has the greatest sense of community. And just like a real community, we have many personalities coming together. Some hit it off right from the start, while others may rub us the wrong way. Still, if you came here to learn or to teach, you've found the right place. And any bickering that may occur is usually minor. Friends should always be allowed to get mad at each other once in awhile, no? But my job as a moderator is to keep things going on track. Yes, I have the ear of  Martin, so I can offer suggestions that will not be ignored -- although they can still be turned down. So keep me (and the other mods) in mind if you come up with something that you think we can benefit from. Also, if you see something that you think violates the rules, PM myself or any other mod. It's better to do that than to start a flame war.As a moderator I have the responsibility of helping to keep the peace and to enforce the rules. It's not an easy job to tell someone that their art doesn't fit the GFXArtist criteria. So I will perform my duties with the utmost respect for each of you and with a spirit of mildness. But in the end, the rules must be enforced. I understand that some are a little put off by the whole idea of a class of green-suited people with a little bit of power over them (and I mean a little). But if you are one of them, I ask that you give us a chance. Give me a chance to show you that we're a community of like-minded people. We are just trying to lay down some ground rules to live by. Feel free to speak your mind in the comments below. |
Category: Announcement
Publish date:09/27/05 @697Editor:
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Time to Start Taking LessonsI really enjoy this photography kick I'm in. So much so, that I decided to sign up for online classes with the New York Institute of Photography. I did a lot of research and they seem to be pretty good. They have a good reputation and a lot of successfull Photographers came out of there. I hope to further my education and skill and someday become a pro. My dream is to someday open my own portrait studio, but that's a long way to go. My photos now are just slightly better than snapshots. As I progress I will share what I learn with others through my photography. I will try to provide more detailed information regarding the photos I post here and hopefully some of you will also benefit from what I learn. Not to mention I crave the feedback to my work. Stay tuned... I also have news about my other business -- PrintingArtwork.com. I think it will fade into oblivion. |
Category: Review
Publish date:08/08/05 @670Editor:
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Review My GalleryI know it's difficult to find the time these days to look at and comment on all the artwork that you want. But I'll make a deal with you. Go to my gallery and look at most if not all my photos and come back here and give me a review of the overall gallery. Then I will do the same for you. You don't have to vote or even comment on any of the images, just look at the images and tell me what you think of my gallery as a whole. You do that for me and I promise to do the same for you. Lately I've been losing confidence in my photography and I would like honest assesments of my work. Tell me if you think I've improved over time. Tell me if you like/hate the subject matter. Is there anything that you think I should add to/take out of the gallery (more portraits, more B/W, no flowers)? Any advice at all to help me improve. I appreciate it. |
Category: Announcement
Publish date:07/18/05 @795Editor:
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Watch Out!I'm giving harsher critiques these days. Hope you can take it. |
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