Is it Dejavou? Cover of Time Magazine, March 28, 1983, Gunther Deichmann

In 1983 I experienced first hand the slaughter of thousands of cattle and sheep, destroyed due to lack of food and water.
Native animals like the Emus got killed when crossing fence lines in search for food and water. (see the image below)
“Are we now on the very brink of environmental collapse."
Excerpts from the BBC...
"You see the lack of birds and the lack of life. You smell it. You can smell the water. If you walk out into the lake bed you can burn your feet because of the acid sulphates."
"It's very real and it's happening right in front of us."
"It's been a disaster," according to the global warming activist and best-selling author, Professor Tim Flannery.

© Gunther Deichmann - Photo taken in 1983 during
“Australia’s Great Dry” near Port Augusta,in South Australia
- The remains of an Emu -

See below some excerpts from a recent story on the TIme.com website; for more and the complete article please go to:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923411,00.html
The entire eastern half of Australia is thirsting through a wasting drought that is in many regions the worst in the history of the world's most arid continent. Already, the "Great Dry" has devastated 90% of New South Wales, which is now in its 45th month of drought, and 95% of the state of South Australia, Dubbo, a typical rural town, averages 25.5 in. of annual rainfall. Last year it had 2.3 in. In many areas seeds cannot germinate; in others the regal Murrumbidgee River is nothing but a stagnant puddle. Dust storms have enveloped Melbourne and, five weeks ago, bushfires raged over the arid ground of southeastern Australia, claiming a record 72 lives.

© Gunther Deichmann - Composite image (2 images) to demonstrate
Global Warming and the effects it is having on us and our planet.

Tags: GLOBAL WARMING, Australia, GREAT DRY, Disaster, Drought, Bush Fires, Dust Storms, Animals, Emu

© Gunther Deichmann - Sydney Harbor Bridge & Opera House
Australia 1995 F4 Nikon, Kodachrome 25, Film


© Gunther Deichmann - The cliffs of Santorini,
Greece 2005, Nikon D70

Please note: These are very low res. images & original color might vary between different computer screens.
For more images on AUSTRALIA and GREECE click on the images or this link: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/greece9.html

Luis Martin Harder wrote...
Hi GD
BTW, your thought and the exchange of ideas about "real images" in your blog is really interesting and educational. I think the distinction between a photographer and a digital artist should really be defined. I believe you'll be a lot of help in this area GD, a lot of newbies in photography will be guided and many pros will be delighted.
Thanks again GD and hope to hear from you again.
Keep in touch.
Best regards,
Luis Harder
WINGS TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE INC.

My reply...
Hi Luis,
thanks for your thoughts and input, have a look at the latest blog.... some real images no manipulation shot the way I saw them, been at the right place at the right time.
Observing the weather before going out...work out a strategy where you need to be at a certain time of the day...and of course a bit of luck will help.
Remember my favorite saying... "Photography is Light... Light is Photography."
Thanks for your input and emails,
GD

Tags: GREECE, Australia

The real image? The story continues...


http://www.deichmann-photo.com/australia.html
© Gunther Deichmann - double rainbow over the Olgas N.T.
Central Australia, image taken on Kodachrome 25, 1981

Feedback and good dialogue is always a good thing…learning something everyday even if you think you old and wise…exchange of knowledge can only open our eyes and broaden our Horizon…
Read below some of the un-edited emails I have received, different opinions from different Countries…in the end it is up to you which way you create your images but as mention before I am very firm when it comes to Photo Journalism, Geographic, Culture and Travel Photography.
If you like to go crazy then go for it…YOUR Choice, it is after all a very creative field with many different interpretations on any given image.
However in Documentary Photography we should be truthful to our selfs and the public.


Henry Bateman an Australian Photographer/Artist living
in the Philippine wrote…
(thanks Henry for letting me use the images you send me)
Check out Henry’s work, you might find it very interesting@ http://www.pissedpoetpics.com/


Friday, May 16, 2008
Is This a Real Image?

Is this a real Image? Well yes, I guess it must be, it's there in front of you. (Ok, I am begging the question, but then it is a poorly phrased question) Is it a literal representation of what was in front of the lens? Well no, I guess not, it is my interpretation of the scene. Although, except for a few lines I added to highlight some edges, nothing has been added that didn't exist in the original photograph.
It was taken at the opening of Luis Martin Harder's exhibition, Unscripted.

© Henry Bateman- thanks Henry

My interest lies in exploring the why of things rather than displaying their literal representations. My images relate to a broader discourse and use the medium (captured light) to tell the story rather than just relying on the here is narrative.

I use Photoshop to make the image, but because it is made from only one negative/raw file it requires a particular approach to using the camera to get a file that can accept the manipulation. In fact it requires a different way of looking to find the scenes that will work.
Does this make it less real? Different yes, but only in so much that I am looking at from a different point of view.

My reply to Henry…
Hi Henry,
great I just read your blog, no problem I think a very nice and cool forum... what i am saying and what i am worried is that in Journalistic terms like real events this real verses manipulated becomes an issue.
I also have been using Photoshop almost since day one and do some crazy stuff but in covering events and real life encounters? We have to be careful, anyway thanks for your thoughts and I really like your stuff…
Cheers Gunther

Henry’s reply…

Hi Gunther
Thanks for the kind words mate and yes I am in agreement about keeping in touch.
 
I take on board your concern re doco pics but lets face it it aint nothing new. Granted PS makes it easier but it has always been buyer beware. As per the 2 attached pics circa 1854/5 by Roger Fenton titled "The Shadow of the Valley of Death".

Courtesy of Henry Bateman - R-Fenton-circa-1854-(1)



Courtesy of Henry Bateman - R-Fenton-circa-1854-(2)

There was a lovely debate some 12 months ago in the NY Times about which photo came first and which had been altered, albeit not by PS but physically by hand. The question that wasn't asked was "Which of the 2 pics best told the story?"
No 2 photographers will shoot a scene the same way, "Which of the 2 best tells the story/truth?". I can shoot the same scene in several ways with each telling a different story.
It is in part why I have chosen to do what I do. The camera doesn't lie is up there with "of course I will love you in the morning". As Picasso said the job of an artist is to convince people of the truth of their lies.
regards
Henry


From Picture Group Photo News Agency in India…

GD
 You tell us how ?
 
Chandu

My reply…

Hi Chandu,
Great to hear from you.
Now to your ?

Very difficult indeed to tell, I am an advocate for real things when it comes to Photo Journalistic images, we should not mess around with these, of course Photoshop and all the other stuff out there has is place and I use it too, but in real life and events we should be careful and not manipulate the images or distort a given event. In advertising and creative we can of course do what we like... go crazy if we choose so.
But how to tell is very difficult these days I guess ethics play a big role here, from the Photographer to the editors.
Thanks for reading the blog, remember it is only my opinion.
Have a fantastic day,
Cheers Gunther

Chandu’s reply…

Hi GD
 
I may be now editor but I am photographer 1st - I am out with the camera to shoot, I do not crop nor make any major changes in the "raw" image expect for transmission or printing.
 
that is all I have to say - i do not know what other photo editors do. Even agency like Magnum, I know quite a photographer attached to them, I have heard what happened at the board meeting, the older ones has quite taken back with the portfolio's they are getting for approval which do get approved. I will not give names but that is life...one has to change with it...if do not you get left behind....what do you have to say this....
 
Cheers
Chandu

My reply…
Hi Chandu,

thanks for this dialogue... very interesting indeed, hmmmm let me think, the image in the end will win you and I know that, I guess it boils down to only one thing your  conscious  and been able to feel good about it and say... yes this is real, I know that, even if they dont believe me, that alone is a good feeling and worth a lot. A nice gut feeling if nothing else!

It is an interesting subject which ever way you look at it and  we all know times have changed when Digital arrived, I am just a little concern, since I  admire the likes of Capola, Ansel Adams and many more, a craft which is now seldom taught even in schools, sad but true, can we change it?  I guess not.
We have arrived at this Digital age and I am no exception, all of this just crossed my mind the other day when i run into this young photographer and having this conversation. I have no doubts that this subject will be around for quiet some time, being old or young.

You are right we have to move forward otherwise we will be left behind... sad but so true.
Thanks for your words and exchange I do appreciate this very much, at-least we can talk about it, and that is just so nice,
have a great day and we stay in touch,
Cheers Gunther


From Luis Martin Harder, Manila Philippines

Hi Gunther,

Thanks so much for putting my exhibit on your blog. You're super cool,
man. Just as I was thinking about learning about true "photography" and
then you came out with an article about "are we getting real" photos or
images. You know GD I really want to learn more about PHOTOGRAPHY in its
purest sense. I believe you're the right person who can impart the
knowledge since I can see that you are one of the few remaining true
blue "PHOTOGRAPHER".

Can you help me with this? I'll surely appreciate your interest.

Thanks again GD. Hope to see you soon.
Cheers!
Luis Harder
WINGS TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE INC.

My closing words…thank you all for your thoughts and input very interesting indeed and I do appricitae all your comments…

" If we lose our human values by having everything mechanized, then machines will dictate our lives."
Dalai Lama

GD

Tags: Photo Journalism, Photoshop, Film, Kodachrome, Digital v. Film, Photography Today, Documentary Photography, Aperture 2, Art, Images, Australia