I haven't climbed up on my soapbox in a while, but today I simply cannot resist.Lately I have been seeing lots of images supposedly "enhanced" using a variety of software products. What I see happening is: folks don't know when to STOP. Stopping is crucial. Don't stop and the image looks overworked. After playing with an image for a few hours, the freshness can get lost. The best thing is to stop. Sleep on it. Come back refreshed (in the morning) and take another look.
We have many programs to help us. They are our new darkroom and oh, what a blessing they are. However, be aware that what heals can also kill if taken in excess. Let's do our best to heal images not destroy them.
If one wants a painting, paint. If one wants a photograph, then try to take/make the best one possible. Programs that transform photographs often can make a mess of things in the hands of a novice. So...please be careful my dear friends.
A good photograph may be worth more than a thousand words, but a bad one can evoke words we do not want to hear. :-)
Remember: STOP and above all else: Keep It Simple!!!!
4 comments:
Betty thank you always for your suggestions and help.
I like to play around with images and often as you put it 'overdo' something in order to get the desired effect for whatever I write. It may not be everyones cup of tea but as long as it serves it's purpose. However I also post raw images that are brilliant and that I think dont need any adjustment at all but someone else may disagree - the eye of the beholder I suppose :))
Betty, you are right, of course, but Rose is right...the eye of the beholder. Differences in vision is what makes the world go round. Sometimes I apply subtle adjustments to my images and sometimes it's more like a sledge hammer...depends on the image and on my mood. I do not, however, ever 'finalize' an image. I save with layers so that any adjustment can be softened or undone. As I said, what I envision for my images can change with time. Also, as software evolves, it's nice to revisit old processed photos to see what new things can be done to enhance them. I do agree, though, that too many are just slapping effects on their photos all willy-nilly without thinking things through.
I stand by my words. There are rules to be followed in art. Some rules can be bent, but few can be broken successfully. Usually folks break the rules, thinking they will be discovered as the next great talent. Usually the opposite is true. If something is good, there is no doubt about it. Junk is junk no matter how much we try to make it something else. Excuses and rationalizations won't make poor work good. Best to strive for excellence.
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