Friday, May 16, 2008

Trick or Treat??

Been speaking with my cousin Bernie on post programs for photography recently and found out that a lot have changed since my last indulgence into photography...

For me, the most noticeable difference between old school photography and the present is the common use of...you guessed it, computer aided softwares or editing programs.

It is a stage aptly termed as post processing whereby pictures can be made "better" by editing via programs such as Image Manipulation Process ( IMP ) or High Dynamic Range ( HDR , etc, etc...the list is endless.

To me, that takes the fun out of photography...

I remember that during the "olden and golden" days, a good photographer is required to take into account the ISO settings, Apeture settings, shutter speed, ect settings before even thinking of composing a picture...lens filters can be added on to create the desired effect e.g. sunset, star six, andromeda burst, diopter and such but the practice has since been labelled defunked via the simple click and regenerate button of the said softwares.

Nowadays is flick to "Auto" mode then shoot, shoot and shoot, then edit, edit and edit to make the end result 99% perfect..

So much for skills and old school huh?

BUT everything has its pros and cons as I am also a believer that technology is friendly and good when one uses it properly...

As for me, I will try my level best to use less of softwares and more of skills. On the positive side, maybe its an avenue for me to gauge my skill against artificially induced and modified pictures..

Below is an example of what I am harping about...

Original unedited picture


Picture edited with depth and softener


picture edited with lens glare effect, added supernova and softener


Get what I am trying to say? very nice after effects huh?

Photographer for hire!!!!! anybody want their picture taken??

2 every1 his/her OWN................

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aisey, why the resistance? Digital post processing has only allowed the photographer to be more creative, nothing more. Sure you can fix your photos a bit, but generally a good baseline one is needed or else it'll still end up shitty :P

I think once you've seen more examples of post processing, you'll agree that they're generally a fun thing to do.

But I assure you, the photographer is still the main brains behind a good photograph. One very good reason for me to say this is because I recently went to a talk by the only 2 Malaysia photojournalists working for Reuters and they take breath taking photos. Being photojournalists, they CANNOT do much post processing (except cropping and some leveling I think).

I cannot think of how Photoshop can help me take photos like those 2 :)

Jamie said...

No resistance on my part la cuz, thats why the statement of "technology has it spros and cons" was made in the above post.

I agree partly with you that a screwed up shot is difficult to rescue no matter how good the software is...hence the basic skill of a photographer still applies right?

AND

that is why I will try to use more skill and less software(s)...

BUT

I will of course use the softwares on an intermittent basis because like you mentioned it...its quite fun...especially to create special effects out of nothing..heehehehe

MAYBE I will have to forever rely on the softwares because of my poor photography skills...wahahahahaha..

Marsha Maung said...

er.....am I the only one who prefers the original shot? :-) Really!

I think technology comes in handy in erasing wrinkles, spots, pimples, unsightly cleavages and cellulite, the likes! Which is something I do every so often....ah, the power of photoshop! Hee hee hee....

Jamie said...

no dispute in that or in any technological advances for that matter....

I will from now use the technology to beautify and elongate my subjects...WAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA...anyone wants their pic to be taken by mua?

Anonymous said...

i hope i can take some nice photo using my lumix :)

Jamie said...

genius: u bought the new prosumer lumix liao ar?