Photography is quite simply a combination of art and technology. It always has been. As a photographer, I try as accurately as possible to convey a scene to my viewers. Photoshop, when used carefully, is just another tool which allows me to better show my viewers what I saw while taking the image. To share what I felt.
A photographic image is an interpretation of the scene. It can be argued that the second a photographer loads a camera with film (yes, real film), he has taken the first step in the interpretation process. Film has a chemical makeup that is different from one film to the next, each having different photographic qualities. Some film is designed for portraits and renders less contrast and skin pleasing tones. Many nature photographers use Fujichrome Velvia (a favorite slide film of mine), which gives deep greens and very saturated images. Couldn’t this be considered manipulation?
Every photographer manipulates every image he photographs. Period.. In the same way a brush is to a painter, a camera is an artistic tool that allows a photographer to manipulate the scene and help him to convey to the viewer what he saw, or what he wants them to see. Through lens selection, focal length, film, filters, shutter speed, aperture settings and with the use of a flash, the photographer manipulates an image long before it ever gets to a computer and into a program like Photoshop.
My approach to digital “enhancement” is simple. I use it to process an image the same way I would do with film in a traditional darkroom. Brightness, contrast, burning, dodging, overlays, double exposures, cropping, etc.. All of these “manipulation” techniques have been around for decades and have long been acceptable “enhancement” techniques of film photographers. As a photographer, it is my goal to accurately portray to my viewer what I saw and felt while photographing an image. Digital “enhancement” and the use of Photoshop, to me, is simply today’s alternative to the traditional darkroom and helps to capture a vast three-dimensional scene and accurately portray that scene onto a relatively small two-dimensional print.
Stumble it!
20 responses so far ↓
Kai // Jul 12, 2007 at 5:58 am
So if I send you a picture you can make me look 20 again????? hehe
If so, I will pay big bucks for that!
Ryan // Jul 12, 2007 at 7:17 am
I can certainly give it a whirl…
Claire // Jul 12, 2007 at 8:12 am
lol, it would be a miracle indeed!
Well since purchasing my digital camera and downloading irfanview programme i have been happily manipulating away.
Katie // Jul 12, 2007 at 9:35 am
This makes sense! Although I think there are many offenders out there who abuse photoshop…it’s one of those tools that when put into the wrong hands can be evil!! you should teach photography classes though Ryan, you have so much wonderful knowledge! Or at least keep giving us lessons here and there
yoshi // Jul 12, 2007 at 10:39 am
I’ve never thought of using photoshop for photos as cheating. Photoshop is just easier.
Personally, I don’t know how many times I’ve had to manipulate a photo in the darkroom to make it turn out really good, by using just traditional darkroom skills.
Photoshop just makes it a lot easier (and a lot cheaper!).
I totally agree with you Ryan.
I think when people ask if something has been “photoshopped” then they are talking about manipulating multiple images and actually creating a whole new image from it, changing what the original intent of the photograph was.
Ryan // Jul 12, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Wow, I’m actually a bit surprised this post has garnished as many comments as it has thus far, and good meaningful comments at that.. Except for you Kai and Claire.. Cheeky buggers… =]
Hey Katie, funny you say that, I have actually considered doing perhaps weekly photoshop podcasts ranging from very basic photoshop techniques to more advanced techniques.. Was thinking about that again the other night.. I’m going to do a little research on how to best go about doing it, and may start as soon as next week.
Hi Yoshi!!! Yes, and let me be very clear. There are times that call for (and I in the past have been quite guilty of it as well) heavily manipulating an image. I just feel that when such is done that it at least be disclosed to the viewer..
I appreciate your thoughts and comments!
star8278 // Jul 12, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Well said!
lissa // Jul 12, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I agree with you about Photoshop - changing little things like contrast, brightness, cropping, etc. - is okay - what about those digital artists who uses image manipulation programs to create their image - is that cheating? I don’t think so. Its your photograph once you took it and you should be able to do what you want.
Yes, would definitely like the idea of you teaching photography - I’m sure you have many things to teach about photography.
p.s. I have stop updating my aquarius blog (http://aquarius2626.blogspot.com/) so you may delete me from your blogroll - but I also have a new photoblog (http://cloudbliss.blogspot.com/) - so you may link to that if you like.
Comedy Plus // Jul 12, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Whatever you do and why you do it is your choice alone. You are the professional, not me. If I like how something looks then there you have it. You are the creator. Does this make sense. I do like the idea of making me look 20 again, but I don’t think that would work. Have a great day Ryan.
Comedy Plus // Jul 12, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Oh, I’m glad you liked my shout-out. I’ll take the pieces to the framer next week.
Young Tami // Jul 13, 2007 at 1:28 am
I totally agree that it is all art the moment you pick up your camera… I love that the digital world we live in just makes it easier!
Kai // Jul 13, 2007 at 1:36 am
Who is this Claire woman making fun of me?? She must be some crazy British chick!
:-)
A podcast sounds like a GREAT idea Ryan! I’ve thought about buying PS many times but knew I’d have no idea how to use it anyway.
How about I send you a pic of Claire and you make her into a witch for your first podcast??
Ooops… too late
JAM // Jul 13, 2007 at 1:54 pm
You said this so well. I’ve had this discussion many times with people, but as someone who’s done darkroom work, I’m in love with the digital era.
I remember my photography instructor in college going on and on in nauseating detail of how the Ansel Adams and Jerry Uelsmann’s of the world spent untold hours “manipulating” the photo in the darkroom.
We have the advantage of a chemical free color darkroom within our desktop computers!
I, for one, love it.
Claire // Jul 14, 2007 at 9:16 am
Well apart from being a cheeky bugger, i love the idea of podcasts. How about you research my camera make and then tell me how to use all the buttons on it apart from auto
Have you used/seen the irfanview program?
Ryan // Jul 14, 2007 at 10:19 am
Yeah, you never did tell me which one you went with.. You have sounded quite happy with it though, no?
I have not actually used irfanview, but am familiar with it, freeware I thought, right? May have to give it a try so I at least know its capabilities..
aimee/greeblemonkey // Jul 15, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I totally agree. I try not to “cross the line” per se, but I see no difference with manipulating film in a dark room and manipulating pixels in Photoshop.
Comedy Plus // Jul 16, 2007 at 3:56 pm
If it’s funny when you’re done with it then what’s the problem. Laughter is good isn’t it?
Claire // Jul 17, 2007 at 10:49 am
I thought i had, it is the Canon Powershot A630 and i am very happy with it. Just don’t know how to use all the settings.
Yep irfanview is a freeware programme and it might be a good idea to play around with it so people could use that before deciding to get Photoshop?
Liam // Jul 31, 2007 at 5:56 am
Good points you made to the argument, very valid ones at that!
Erica // Sep 21, 2007 at 11:52 am
I couldn’t have said better myself!
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