So I'm trying to select my picture to post today. Wasn't really feeling inspired yesterday so I only took a handful of snapshots of mostly mundane things. Was playing with some HDR and presto, mundane thing is now more interesting... But I feel like I cheated.. So I'm trying to pick between an image that has very little post work done (some minor detail enhancement, vignetting and raw processing) vs an HDR surrealist image (composition is okay but nothing to write home too).
Makes me ponder if I'm using my post effects too much.... Comments?
Something to think about after each click of the shutter release. I have definitely had moments when I dislike so much anything I shot that I purposely try to over edit, or try an effect I haven't yet. And usually when posting it here I'll state something to the effect.
But for me this project and my experiences right now are about how I can get the best shot with as little processing as possible. I want to try and make myself think about the final result before pressing the button. Sadly I am not all that good at it right now, or am too rushed in my day to stop and think about everything I need/want to. But then I'll post the not so good and try and learn from it.
I suppose it'll be different for each as some are working on their post processing.
I go for photo shop on most of my photos. Seems like they never look like what I say in real life when I get them downloaded. I just do minimal touch up tho. It's your project so do what feels best to you. I ponder every day about which photo other 365ers are going to like the most. I wish I didn't do this but I am a pleaser! I see pictures that have been photo shopped to the hilt and I think they are awesome and I wish I could do that. I go back to my earlier posts and kind of cringe because I didn't do something to bring the color out a little bit more!! Just have fun!!!
I do sometimes think less is more. The picture has to be interesting to start with right? Well not always. I find to just be careful when processing shot. Ever looked back and thought to yourself, now what the hell was I thinking?
Yeah I think we've all done that!
I really think it depends on the picture and what you are going for with it. I did not edit much until I spent a month without my camera. I forced myself to play with edits and learn them. I found a love for them. =)
I was just saying the same thing! I have 2 shots of the beach this week. Both were horrible sooc. I haven't mastered reading light yet and I found all were underexposed when I put them on the computer. After some LR and Photomatix play, they turned out pretty surreal.
I'm happy, just for the fact that I was able to bring some life to them BUT my goal is to learn my settings and get it right in camera. I should have to only touch it up, instead of having to save it's life!
I agree with Helene -- the only person you really have to please with this project is yourself...it's your project. My goal with my own photography is to create works of art. I try hard to get the best possible photo to begin with, but editing and post processing are tools that I use to get an end result that makes me happy. Sometimes I want it to look as realistic as possible, and othertimes the drama and "almost-painted" look of a more exaggerated HDR is what I'm going for. We see the world with depth and perspective...and then we try to reproduce it with two-dimensional photographs. Sometimes that time in editing and post processing helps to bring a photo closer to what you really saw when you looked through the viewfinder in the first place! It's all good. :-)
There are very tasteful and subtle ways to do HDR that can be extremely effective. I haven't played with it too much, but I love that the D90 will do auto bracketing. It'll shoot 3 shots at different exposures which you can then go and combine in photoshop, etc. From what I've gathered of photomatix, it uses or produces HDR from one image, right? Or you can use multiple?
All of the best photographers in the world edit. Try to mix it up so you aren't getting yourself stuck in a mode that stops you from trying different things. And yea, @parisouailleurs is right. This is your project so experiment all you want. :-)
My opinion is, that if you deny yourself of doing editing, you're shooting yourself in the leg. Both legs. Edit in all possible ways and every now and then, go crazy with it. Then, look back on your work and note the things you like & you don't like. Remember that camera can't capture the same thing eyes see, so why would you want to leave the shot less than 100% of what your eyes saw ? And who is to say 150% is a bad thing ... :-) Sorry, ranting :-D
First and foremost, this project is for you. I keep trying to constrain myself to certain rules, and find myself stressing out about nothing. My only goal is to have a book at the end of the year. How I get to that point will vary. Sometimes I set challenges for myself for themes, or editing. Like 'this week I aim to have as many SOOC shots as possible'. Don't get me started on the controversy surrounding that statement. The point is, shoot and edit for yourself. sometimes I upload pictures and by the end of the day I hate it but feel like I can't take it back. But its my project, so for the end result I swap that picture for my true fave of that day. If you like your image edited a certain way-do it! if you like it unedited-use it! Focus on what you want and the rest will follow. =)
I agree with Jani's (@janmaki) ranting! But when I am happy with the sooc.. I'm not scared to upload it either (even if it gets viewed and commented on less then an edit-gone-crazy pic)
I must admit that I rarely edit anything - probably because I don't have much time but also because I try to choose a shot I like which is also why I tend to post pics of birds, animals and flowers because I really love them. When I get a good response such as the swan I posted which made it to the popular page - that was a real bonus! Just enjoy what you post and that way 365 will be enjoyable rather than a chore
Thanks for everyone's thoughts. This 365 project for me was to help jump start me creativity (as I was in rut last year) and encourage me to shoot other subject matters in which I don't normally shoot. One thing that I haven't really given much thought is that am I pushing myself as a photographer or as an artist? Or will I do both? I believe that there is that dividing line between photography and digital art. Where that line is can be a whole separate conversation. Starting this topic was really an effort to generate an external discussion while I have this internal discussion with myself.
The various thoughts that people raised in this thread has gotten me to think about this project. A common viewpoint is that this 365 project is my own. Do whatever you want. However, I've been asking myself recently how much is my work influence by others. Whether it be other people's art that influence my own or other people's feedback.
In any case, love the discussion and I love the images that people, including myself, create.
I used to really be a purist about this subject. I was anti-crop, and I thought post processing = cheating. BUT I have changed my way of thinking somewhat. I still prefer not to crop as much as possible. but it will happen from time to time. In regards to processing... well the final image is my creation. whatever it took to get there does it matter? We all used tools in the darkroom too... contrast filters, negatives on top of other negatives, a black piece of construction paper with a hole in it (burning and dodging the old school way!), toning photos in old coffee and koolaid!
So... imo I try not to take it to the extreme, for instance I don't remove things from photos that were originally there, or put things in photos that weren't there to begin with, and call that a photo. i try to think of where i draw the line between "photo" and "digital art". For me, bumping saturation, contrast, adding some different tones, this or that... it still is a photo to me. Heck I used a camera to do it! When I start working with layers, making radical changes etc, then it becomes more of a digital art to me, but it's still art, and it's still a unique creation.
I like the creative post-shot process as much as the actual picture taking. At first I thought I wasn't allowed, but then I remembered that my father used to all this in the real darkroom, before digital was even a word. Do what YOU want to do and enjoy!
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But for me this project and my experiences right now are about how I can get the best shot with as little processing as possible. I want to try and make myself think about the final result before pressing the button. Sadly I am not all that good at it right now, or am too rushed in my day to stop and think about everything I need/want to. But then I'll post the not so good and try and learn from it.
I suppose it'll be different for each as some are working on their post processing.
Yeah I think we've all done that!
I'm happy, just for the fact that I was able to bring some life to them BUT my goal is to learn my settings and get it right in camera. I should have to only touch it up, instead of having to save it's life!
If you think you are posting the same photos over and over again, branch out and try something else.
This is a place to learn new things and push yourself.
Or a place to create a gallery of what you love.
In the end, you are the only one who will care what you did with the 365 empty pages.
The various thoughts that people raised in this thread has gotten me to think about this project. A common viewpoint is that this 365 project is my own. Do whatever you want. However, I've been asking myself recently how much is my work influence by others. Whether it be other people's art that influence my own or other people's feedback.
In any case, love the discussion and I love the images that people, including myself, create.
So... imo I try not to take it to the extreme, for instance I don't remove things from photos that were originally there, or put things in photos that weren't there to begin with, and call that a photo. i try to think of where i draw the line between "photo" and "digital art". For me, bumping saturation, contrast, adding some different tones, this or that... it still is a photo to me. Heck I used a camera to do it! When I start working with layers, making radical changes etc, then it becomes more of a digital art to me, but it's still art, and it's still a unique creation.