Tags
Busker, city, digital, digital manipulation, photography, postaday
A slight detour today, back to the city. I took this image last Sunday while I was in the city, and I was really curious to see what I could do with it. I don’t normally do people, but I thought this guy was so interesting.
The curiousity came from the need to find out if I could apply some of the same processing techniques that I have been using on the images from the Mallee. I have done that, I don’t know how successful I have been, but I do like some aspects of this image.
I will admit that the orginal image was not great. I am not used to taking photos quickly of people. There was another image, but his hand was out of focus. I really should have used a faster shutter speed. It is interesting photographing subjects like this. I would never use this image for anything other than this blog, that is OK, it was a good exercise.
The original image looks crap now, well I think it does. I know there will be people who disagree, but what can you do. I do have to say I still am amazed when I hear people talking about images that have no editing as better. People have been editing images in the darkroom since photography started, but somehow that is OK, yet, if you do the same thing on the computer, then you are cheating. I suppose it is similar to the argument a few years ago, when digital cameras first started making an appearance and many said they weren’t real, and that true photography was using film.
I don’t care, really, I just want to produce the best image I can, if that means doing a lot of manipulation, then that is what I will do. I will do what it takes to make my images stand out from the thousands we see everyday. Sometimes I do a lot of editing, sometimes barely any, I let the image dictate to me what it needs. Okay, that is enough of that.
This image, is a single image, and it didn’t even occur to me to do a single image HDR, I just worked from the raw image. One of the first things I did was put in more detail and bring out the wrinkles in the man’s face. I wanted to show the signs of age and time.
I really wasn’t happy with the background and I did spend a lot of time changing and trying to make it disappear. There was a washed out section in the top left corner and I need to get rid of that. I did some patching and put more buildings in it and used another image to help me with it. I don’t know if it was really successful, but hopefully in the final image, you can’t really see it. I also needed to tone down the colour of the taxi, de-saturation seemed to be the answer there.
I may have been able to do more to the image, but for me, where it is right now is good. It is something I would like to try again. I would like to have got a better starter image and then to see what I could with it. I do like the detail that you can draw out. Can I add, we made sure we left money in his tin.
An update on the theatre stuff, I decided that I would withdraw my offer and told them the images were no longer available. The theatre has an official photographer and I told them that they should approach her. I should never have allowed myself to be put into that position. I was only down there to take photos for myself. So problem solved.
Mr Bunny Chow said:
it’s a great edit, I’m very lazy when it comes to editing myself but hugely admire people like yourself who’re good at it.
Leanne Cole said:
I think sometimes it is the editing that drives me on and the part I love the most. I love planning trips, and taking the photos, but then I love to get home and see what I can do to them. Thanks Mr Bunny.
Dave said:
I don’t think unedited images are any better or worse than edited images really. It’s like comparing apples and oranges-they’re both good just different. One of the things I really like about your blog-among the oodles of other things I tend to go on about-is that you post both versions of a photo. Your modified work is amazing, but it’s like getting a two for one because so many times the original is excellent as well.
Leanne Cole said:
That a great thing to say Dave, it is different. I just find some can be really zealous about the original image, I like to show it to show how much I’ve done, and what can be done. I am so glad you like you getting both images. Thank you Dave
EllaDee said:
Dave hit it on the head. Your work is honest. You risk a lot by giving out the original image, edited image and methodology. You prove that photography can be art. Listen to your heart
Tricia's Blogs said:
I have to say I agree with EllaDee!
George Weaver said:
I love the edited version. The colors and tones are great. I like the detail too. And, the taxi and the buildings turned out wonderfully. I think it is a superb image all around!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you George, always appreciate comments like yours.
paul davis said:
It makes zero difference when or how an image is edited. It’s your composition and creation, no matter where you choose to stop in that process and show it to us. You edit when you choose the framing, perspective, exposure, focus, color adjustments in camera, time of day, and dozens of other things. Of the photos I display, about one in a hundred is “straight out of camera.” I don’t think those are better in any aesthetic/artistic/purity sense, and I don’t tend to like them more. In fact, they are kind of disappointing to me in the process, because I would have enjoyed tinkering with them more in post. I’m happy to have everyone know exactly what I’ve done to a photo–I just assume that most people aren’t interested in the details of the process, they want to see the photo and decide for themselves if they like it.
I am interested in the details of what you’ve done to your photos, on the other hand, and I’m really happy when you tell us about it. I would look at your photos every day even with no text, but what’s special about your blog is both your unique editing style and your description of it.
Keep doing that!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you so much Paul, I really appreciate your comments on this. I am like you, I think. I love tinkering on the computer and seeing what I can do to them. It gives me so much pleasure playing around with them, and then seeing what I can end up with.
It is great to know that people appreciate what I write, or that they get something out of it. I worry that I am just babbling.
Thanks again Paul. I really do like your take on this.
paul davis said:
You’re welcome, Leanne. I’d go so far as to say that if you wanted to take the time to do a screen shot by screen shot tutorial of your process on some particular image, lots of your viewers would be interested. Well, at least one of us.
I work for a university now, BTW, and spend a lot of time reading and thinking about how technology, like the one we are using right now, is making the learning experience into a commons. You are serving as a teacher when you describe your process, and you are doing it not for pay but for the enjoyment of showing your ideas and images to others. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with getting money for teaching, only that doing it as part of the commons makes us all more equal and mutual in our shared interests of learning.
And, not to get lost in my own babbling, I like your photos.
Leanne Cole said:
I have thought about doing the screen shot thing, but I don’t know if people are really interested in that, also I think it would take so long to set up, but I might give it a go one day, even if just on some simple stuff to start with.
I do love sharing what I do and I love hearing from people and seeing what they have to say, isn’t always positive but most is thank goodness. I am hoping to get into teaching, so doing it here is a good start. I think I also do this blog as record for myself, it is like my own visual diary, so it is a handy to record stuff about the images.
No babbling at all, thank you Paul.
Richard Guest said:
It’s really interesting to see your techniques applied to a person – it has a much more distanced, graphic effect – I can see this as a book cover. Like it very much.
Leanne Cole said:
It was an interesting approach, doing it to a person. I don’t know that it was successful, but then again, it was fun to do and I can see how I can apply it more. I liked bringing out the wrinkles. Thanks Richard.
gardenfreshtomatoes said:
People who say that never knew what went on in a darkroom to tweak an image…I have a limited knowledge, but I know it happened…it’s one of the ways archievists authenticate a photographer’s work, the artist’s fingerprints, if you will…
I’d have grabbed a shot of this guy – his face is fascinating.
Leanne Cole said:
That is so true, apparently Ansell Adams did it all the time, not one of his images looked like it did when it was first printed, in fact I have also heard that it would be very hard to find the exact places because he manipulated the images so much. Strange that doing it on a computer is considered taboo.
He was a great subject, would like to try and do him again, apparently he is always in the city. He had a lovely smile. Thanks Marie
poetmcgonagall said:
I don’t think it’s always true, but sometimes an edited image loses the quality that made it so compelling in the first place. For me that was the wrinkled uniqueness of this busker, who has been reduced to just one sanitised element in the picture.
Leanne Cole said:
I must admit I have read this comment over and over again, and I don’t know what to say, so I won’t say anything at all.
lovemorestudio said:
Hey Leanne, first I’d like to thank you for your commitment to daily posting! and posting with merit, as well. As for critiquing your approach, it depends on what you are trying to say artistically– If you are trying to show realism, then heavy processing is probably not advisable. But from what I see, you are not. You are re-interpreting the images to fit a world-view that you have, your artistic view. As an artist, you are allowed to do whatever you wish– print them and step on them with muddy boots and hang them on a wall. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is either jealous of your talent or ignorant of the process.
As for working in darkrooms with film, as I’ve done, the entire process is about manipulation, from developing the film to printing the images, the amount of time you soak, the temperature of the baths, the chemicals you use, the exposures you choose, the dodging, burning, filters, the paper you choose…
Keep up the great work!~peace, Jason
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Jason, I think I needed to hear that, and I think you have most definitely hit the nail on the head. I am not trying to record the world as I see it, I am most definitely trying to do something else, I am trying to give my images more, or rather a lot more drama. It is artistic, and it is my artistic drive.
It is so true about the darkroom. I spent a lot of time in the darkroom and that is exactly what happened. I think people forget that.
I will do my best Jason, thank you for this.
Ham'G said:
Hi Leanne – probably not the same thing as tweaking in the dark room but in the days of ‘hand painted’ photography in Studios – before colour film – the Studio ‘painted’ in front teeth on my 6 year old sister’s portrait!! (Mother was not impressed!!)
Leanne Cole said:
Oh no, that is kinda funny, am I allowed to say that. It is very true though. Photography has always been manipulated and to think otherwise is putting your head in the sand. Thank you so much for this.
John said:
The altered image looks much better! Wonder what the music sounds like…
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks John, you know I thought I wouldn’t be able to forget the music, but now I can’t remember it which is such a shame, it was chinese, and it was lovely.
John said:
I bet! Hmmm, wonder how our little Shih Tzu would react to it? He’s Chinese you know… hehe
Uma said:
wow i love the way you have edited the image!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you so much Uma, that is great to hear.
dyefeltsool said:
I never have understood why people are so against altered images. Not that your original images weren’t great – but the altered ones I’ve looked through practically jump off the page! You really do make them stand out. Incredible details. Thanks for sharing your perspective! It’s beautiful.
Leanne Cole said:
Glad you liked the post, and like you I don’t understand it either, seems very strange to me. People have been manipulating reality for centuries, I am sure the painters from centuries ago painted what they wanted and left out what they thought would be bad, they made up the lighting in a lot of cases. Strange that now people think it is wrong. Thanks for giving me your thoughts on the topic.
Tricia's Blogs said:
At first glance I thought it was a woman (lady lips!). I like the processed image a lot and know you are trying to expand your skills by photographing people too. It is not cheating to edit an image, I am sure nearly all photographers do so, either with cropping or brightening or saturating, etc. Photographers do not normally show the original image they work from, so one might assume the final image we see is the original. You have opened up the world of photography to me (a beginner/amateur) and introduced me to ideas I was unaware of, and that is a gift to share. Mainly though, what you do is Art. And you can do anything with art!!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Tricia, I love your comment, and I am so glad you wrote it. I also think what you said is very true. I am glad me showing the original and talking about what I do helps you and others. It is nice to know that it does help. Though it also helps me as well, it is a great record for me for each shot. I think I treat my blog like a visual diary these days.
Thank you so much, I really really appreciate what you have said.
Curls & Q said:
I think your edit is spot on! You did an amazing job. I love reading your thought process.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, that is always good to hear, and think I will have to keep doing it.
Imelda said:
Your edited version is lovely. It has character.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Imelda, glad you like it.
Deanna de Azevedo said:
Hi Leanne — I think it’s wonderful that you ponder and have a strong position relative to your personal approach to editing. I went to film school during a time when motion picture was making a major shift from film to digital. In those days, I considered myself a “film purist.”
These days, I believe it’s all about having a variety of tools within our artistic toolboxes. The more tools we have, the more tools we can choose to use (or not use). And perhaps, this gives us greater opportunity and freedom to craft our own unique expression of the world. After all, if a wood worker builds a table with power tools vs. manual tools, is that table less crafted?
So only one more thing to say (in very American fashion): YOU GO GIRL!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Deanna, I think you are so right. It is strange, I could never get the images that I am trying for in the real world. I also edit on the computer because it is something that I really enjoy. I love seeing what I can do. I think you should expand your tools, like photographers have always done with their filters, and such. I remember the red filter for black and white, make the skies darker and richer. Isn’t that manipulation.
Anyway I am starting to rant, again. I love your comment and I will go.
phrenzel said:
nicely done
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you.
Photographs by Peter Knight said:
I remember reading somewhere, somebody important in photography saying “the image is king”. I took that to mean a couple of things.
Firstly that it doesn’t matter if you use a mobile phone camera or a 1DX/D4 or astronomically priced medium format camera. What matters is whether you or anyone else likes and is moved in some way by the picture. Secondly that it makes no difference whether you spend months in PP with an image or just 60 seconds or no time at all, the important thing is the final image. (ethics of slimming down fashion models etc aside).
I saw some pictures taken by a famous war photojournalist who’s work I really like (Zoriah Miller) with a compact he purposely picked up for $70. He uses ‘professional’ dslr’s and lenses mostly in the field for obvious reasons but it went to show that in the right conditions even his $70 compact could produce amazing images with him behind it and a little editing. (we all like nice tools – pro footballers don’t go out and earn £100k per week with a pair of cheap flip flops on their feet!!
There is a very underestimated skill in having the eye, the vision to enhance photographic images and to make them appealing. Something I think you do very nicely indeed!!
Leanne Cole said:
Oooh, Peter I like what that important person on photography had to say, it is so true. It is such an interesting topic, it should always be about the end product and I think people don’t realise that the original is put so you can see what is possible, not for you to compare which is the better image. I think that is where some are going wrong.
Thank you for your comment Peter, I really like what you have said.
Another Thousand Words said:
Nicely done…both the work on the image AND with the theatre stuff!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, yes and yes.
Little Brown Tomato said:
I like what lovemorestudio said. Your intention is different than most photographers I’ve seen. Though I’m usually not drawn to photos where the graphic alterations are visible; I enjoy yours because they are your own creative expression and fingerprint. I know what to expect when I see Leanne Cole Photography and I like it. And thank you for being consistent in supporting me whenever I post too.
Leanne Cole said:
You are welcome, first of all, and second of all, thank you, that is a lovely compliment, seems after all these years I am finally starting to develop a style, I like that. Thank you so much.
sdunnebacke said:
To me photographers are artists – regardless of how much manipulating they do. You are for sure an artist (as well as a fine photographer). I enjoy seeing the changes in your images.
Leanne Cole said:
I have to admit, that is exactly how I think of myself. I am way more comfortable with the title of photo artist than photographer. I am so glad you enjoy seeing the changes, thank you.
robert87004 said:
I think there photos that document (with minimum editing) and photos that are in the direction of art, both completely valid expressions.
Leanne Cole said:
Yes, exactly, that is totally how I think, my images are more expressions of a theme, or a view I want to convey. They are not intended as record or document shots. Thank you Robert.
kelihasablog said:
I must say I agree with Dave… I am however, no great photographer so my opinion shouldn’t even count. I just love taking pictures with my new camera & looking for the oddities of life…. textures, shapes colors etc. I think your picture is well done.
Leanne Cole said:
Your opinion should always count. It sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your camera and that is how it should be. I am glad you like my image, thank you.
fiztrainer said:
I feel like you … I love the editing part of this whole photography “business”. To me it’s like artwork. It kind of comes to life. I’m not exceptionally well versed in Photoshop or Lightroom, but I’m learning and I’m loving it. I absolutely love this photo. You bring out the character in this man’s face and the fact that you muted the background with black and white was genius. I LOVE IT!!!
Leanne Cole said:
YOu can come back and comment again, haha,
Thank you, we are the same, I love the editing process, it is the editing process that made me fall in love with photography again, I found film too constricting, I just love what you can do on the computer with your images, it is pure magic.
I love what you said about this image, and I am so glad you Love it. Thank you.
fiztrainer said:
You’re welcome. As I get more familiar with Photoshop, I feel like I’m unwrapping gifts. LOL (if that makes sense). It’s like finding out what kind of potential your photo really has. I totally with you on this.
ivonprefontaine said:
I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Check out the link at: http://ivonprefontaine.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/inspiring-blog-award/
Thank you for inspiring me with your gifts and taking the time to visit!
Take care,
Ivon
Leanne Cole said:
I’ve left a comment on your blog. thank you.
nomilknocry said:
your photo is yours… do what you think you like…
as long as it’s not overdone i think it’s cool!
Same like you… i want the skill of taking photos is equal with the skill of editing
have a nice day, L!
Leanne Cole said:
I think I have to keep remembering that, that they are mine.
A lot of planning goes into my images, and I like every aspect of it, and the editing is amazing, what you can do. Thank you.
Pastor Timothy said:
I don’t think I can add much, but I do like the image as you edited much better. I do know from sources that Ansel Adams did a LOT of editing, or his assistants did, before he published anything. So editing has been going on for a while.
Also, I took my first raw pictures the other day but haven’t had time to tinker with them. What program are you using (sorry if that has been answered or is a trade secret).
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Pastor TImothy, it is so true photographers have been doing for a long time, Adams was a master in the darkroom.
Congratulations, hope you have fun tinkering. I use, Photoshop, and Topaz Adjust for my editing, and I use photomatix for my HDR processing, which you probably need to worry about right now. No trade secrets. If you are looking for good software to start with, I would say try GIMP if you can’t afford anything, it is free . Or go for Lightroom 4 or Photoshop Elements 10 both fairly reasonably priced. Good luck.
Borge said:
That’s a really nice Edit Leanne
Shooting people is not easy! I’ve tried myself, and, it sometimes feels a bit awkward. I often feel like a “intruder” if I try to capture photographs of strangers.
Leanne Cole said:
It can feel very very arward. I felt like I had to hurry, I didn’t want to take up too much of his time. Or rather stop people from enjoying his beautiful music. Glad you like the edit.
ms.caryl said:
Hi Leanne, I really like how you’ve captured this busker and the edit version. To me it illustrates the use of texture and smoothes out the image which is not as exaggerated in the original. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog.
✗ Snapshotenthusiast.wordpress.com
Leanne Cole said:
Hi yourself, thanks for coming over to see my blog as well.
Glad you like what I did to the image. It is great that most people seemed to have liked it. Thank you.
andylmoore said:
Fabulous photo.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you so much.
Cardinal Guzman said:
Really a wonderful portrait
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, I wonder what he would think.
Cardinal Guzman said:
BTW: You did a good job on the background as well.
JA Leonard said:
I like your thoughts on the before and after. I was a purist for a while, always thought new technological approaches were garbage, and I would argue that many still are, like a lot of CGI in movies, but people forget things, like how photographs used to be colored by hand, and they get hung up on the past. Artists manipulate imagery or words, or sound, or any other experience, it’s what they do. With tools old or new. Saying manipulating photos on a computer is wrong is like saying we should be listening to nothing other than classical music and disregard everything that evolved from it as little more than fingernails on a chalkboard. You’ve got an eye for the picture and an ability to add your own feel. I think one picture has a better place in a newspaper, and the other a place in your own gallery. And both are fine photos.
Leanne Cole said:
Wow, that is brilliant, love it. So true, the Luddites, isn’t that what they used to call them. It always astounds me that it seems it has only become bad since digital has been around. Add a computer to the mix, and you are suddenly cheating. I think what you have said is that in a nutshell, thank you so much.
John Smith said:
This debate is fascinating with so many very pertinent comments. Photography is changing and even those who take ‘snaps’ are using aps often to get great results, though sometimes they’re a bit repetitious. Finding your personal ‘vision’ in photography used to be very difficult technically, but the availability of editing software makes it achievable though nothing will make you a great photographer unless you have a vision and are sensitive to the visual world. I admire your consistency Leanne, and the fact that you are not afraid to see past ‘the photo’ when most of us simply get beguiled by it and then just tickle round the edges. Its a big step to apply a vision that you created for landscape and use it for portrait because a portrait can be monolithic whereas a landscape is more likely to be composed of a number of elements, and that’s a statement and not a criticism. I like your vision and your edited pictures speak for themselves….. the end product is what matters, not how you get there. Sorry, rambling…. great work Leanne.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you John, I really appreciate this, and what you have said is also so true. I think you have to be able to take a good photo in the first place, no amount of editing is going to be able to make a bad photo good. I think I have that, I hope so, and I do enjoy doing what I do. This is my art now. It was interesting applying similar techniques to a portrait and seeing if they work. I don’t think they would always work, but I love adding drama and my sense of reality, where ever that may take me. Thanks again John, I really appreciate your take on this.
Photography Journal Blog said:
I do like this edited image! I’m glad you were able to make a firm decision about the theater company as well.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, glad you like it, and yes, the decision for the theatre, in the end, was an easy one.
wannabephotographer87 said:
Oh my goodness! You did spend a lot of time on that picture, but it looks just amazing! It adds mystery to the man and you can almost see more of his story but the effects you added! I love it and he’s just a cutie! HAHA!
Leanne Cole said:
I did do quite a bit of work, but sometimes it has to be that way, I do love doing it, so that helps a lot. Thank you so much Amanda.
SilverStarling said:
I love the edit. I appreciate the time and effort it took, and think it was worth it. Your photography and editing skills are both very well honed!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you so much, It is always great to hear when people like what you have done. I am still learning with the editing, but that is good, it means there is always new stuff to do. Thank you very much.
Inspired and pretty said:
I love this photo ! Your processing is awesome ! And don’t get me started with people who say digital photography is not real and processing photos is cheating…. People who say that are certainly purist or they are not photographers at all.
Leanne Cole said:
I love your comment and I agree whole heartedly. It is so annoying. Funny how these purists didn’t seem to be around when we were all shooting on film. I am so happy that you like my processing as well. Thank you so much.
Scott Marshall said:
I got here via you liking one of my images and I read this article – it was a refreshing read – enjoyed it.
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks Scott, always good to hear.
madinsanecrazy said:
Outstanding result
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, it was great to experiment.
Susanne Haun said:
It’s a very good portrait, Leanne. I like to draw the humam being, special older, because every wrinkle tells a story.
Leanne Cole said:
That is so true, I am hoping to do more portraits of older people when I go up to my mum’s next.