The Photography thread - with pictures.

Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:52 pm

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Post by **ur-bane** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:29 am

JazFusion wrote:I think you're absolutely right. I have a digi cam and an old Minolta that uses film. Digital pictures just lack emotional depth, for me. It's so much easier to just snap snap snap until the perfect shot comes out. Or you can Photoshop a picture a million different ways. You don't really need to think about the mechanics of the camera, or the film.

While I agree it is "so much easier to just snap snap snap" because it is quite simple to erase your image and take another, the "until the perfect picture comes out" part of what you said is incorrect. The fact is, that regardless of whether it be film or digital, if you "snap" mindlessly, the "perfect" picture will NEVER come out. Sure, you may have an acceptable accident that you like, but it won't be what you envisioned in your head.

Whether it be digital or film, the artists' creative process cannot be overlooked. Mindless shooting will result in mindless images. And the results will always be just "snapshots."

The digital camera revolution has definitely enabled many more people to enjoy taking pictures, but without the practiced knowledge of exposure, aperture, shutter speed, composition, subject placement, white balance, and correct ISO speed, to name just a few, a photographer will not be creating art, but simply taking snapshots.

The emotional story is CREATED, not accidentally achieved.

And while digital processing (i.e. Photoshop) has changed HOW images are processed, it hasn't changed WHAT is done. Ansel Adams would cover parts of his exposures with plates he made to overexpose some areas, correct exposure in others. Allowing light to fall differently on different parts of the plate. A color film exposure can be processed the same way in a wet darkroom. Color adjustments can be made. Contrasts adjusted through exposing different parts of the image for different periods of time. A double exposure where two images are combined to form a composited final product is achieved in the wet darkroom. Color corrections are done through adjusting the magenta cyan and yellow output of the enlarger.

The fact that these adjustments are now done digitally doesn't make it any less viable, nor does it detract from the quality or creativity of the photographer.

If an image lacks emotion, or doesn't tell the story you had hoped for, it's not because it was digital instead of film. It is because the practice hasn't progressed. Keep practicing, MINDFULLY, and a photographer-- ANY photographer-- can progress from taking snapshots to creating photographs.

Sorry for the rant.

Here are a few examples of some of my photographs, all taken digitally:

Don't let the fact that it's digital deter you from creating photographs. As my father, who has been photographing for over 50 years says, Practice makes progress. Learn your digital camera, and turn it from a point-and-shoot into a paintbrush.

Post by **Rigel** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:23 am

ur-bane wrote: Whether it be digital or film, the artists' creative process cannot be overlooked. Mindless shooting will result in mindless images. And the results will always be just "snapshots."

While it makes sense that digital and film photos should come out the same, the reality is that film forces you to think more about the pictures you are taking.

Which is why film still yields superior results... people need to THINK more

Post by **JazFusion** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:25 am

Rigel wrote:
ur-bane wrote: Whether it be digital or film, the artists' creative process cannot be overlooked. Mindless shooting will result in mindless images. And the results will always be just "snapshots."
While it makes sense that digital and film photos should come out the same, the reality is that film forces you to think more about the pictures you are taking.

Which is why film still yields superior results... people need to THINK more

Exactly.

I think digital photography is wonderful, but I still think film is far superior. I've shot with simple point-and-shoots, SLR's (I have an old Minolta) and some top of the line DSLR's. But I'll always go back to my old Minolta. Actually, the thing I've gotten into recently is Pinhole cameras. You build them yourself, and there's no moving parts. I find the art fascinating, to say the least. I have yet to acquire the funds to do it just yet, but I hope to this coming Fall.

I feel the same way with art. My husband is a wonderful digital artist and does amazing things, but I still love just oil on canvas. There's just an organic feel you can't achieve digitally; no matter how many megapixels you have.

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:02 pm

My back porch.

Post by **aliantha** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 2:41 am

That's a big spider...

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:06 am

The picture's probably bigger than lifesize.

But not by much!

Post by **Damelon** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:12 pm

Whoa! That spidey's a big one.

Post by **Sorus** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:30 pm

Cat, desktop edition.

Post by **wayfriend** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:48 pm

Caption Contest!

Caption Contest!

hmmm....

"PLZ WAIT TILL I PICK WHICH KEYBOARD SOFTEST"

Post by **Sorus** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:19 pm

o hai

I see you're trying to post on KW.

Lemme help ya with that.

Being a cat is exhausting.

Post by **Savor Dam** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:19 pm

Ignorz ur WOW game...I'z all teh WOW u needz!

Post by **aliantha** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:45 am

You have way more patience than I do, Sorus. As soon as the Lady Morgana puts a paw on the laptop, down on the floor she goes.

Post by **Sorus** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:55 am

Heh, she's my new kitty - just got her on Tuesday and don't even have a name for her yet since I'd planned to adopt a male cat and had appropriate names lined up. She was a shelter kitty and was neglected some by her old family, now she's just looking for love and attention and she has me wrapped around her little finger (claw? paw?), though I should probably start teaching her some manners before she picks up too many bad habits.

Post by **aliantha** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:02 am

I had friends growing up who recycled dog and cat names. All the female dogs were Cleo; all the male dogs were Caesar; and if the cat was black, its name was Midnight.

Post by **Sorus** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:17 am

Heh. Most of mine have been named after sci-fi/fantasy characters. I sorta want to go either Star Trek or BSG, but I also think Min suits her. Decisions, decisions.

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:41 am

How about Sylvia?

Post by **Sorus** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:46 am

I considered Sylvia or Isis, but I don't really feel any connection to the characters.

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 12:15 pm

Same spider.

Post by **Damelon** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 1:46 pm

The spider's just as ugly.

My cat tries to stomp on the keyboard, though I roll the shelf back in a bit to keep her off. She has to be content with standing in front of the monitor.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

The Photography thread - with pictures.