Part two; Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - rare photos of ceremonial & tribal Aboriginals from Arnhem Land, Australia.
The story behind the photos… Tribal Aboriginals from their sacred land in Arnhem Land to rare ancient rock art & burial ceremonies. (Part two)
Dreamtime… tribal elder, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Seldom seen images that date back some 30 years, shot on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age.
Going back in time…Dreamtime “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines,
Part two. Arnhem Land Northern Territory.
Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives, and I also had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.
There were many more images I saw, but could NOT record them in respect for the Aboriginals and their believes, recorded only with my eyes, but the memory still lives very deep inside of me.
“At times I am very contend to take home the memory, instead of pursuing the image, this in turn will gain you respect.”-GD-
Tribal elder in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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During the mid 80th I visited Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park many times, and during the cause of my visits became friends with some Aboriginal tribal elders. I am grateful for their spiritual guidance that I got to know some places seldom visited by others.
But even more important, I learned how to take care of our environment and only take from the land what is needed to survive.
I like to thank my dear old friend “Nipper” for his friendship and trust for allowing me into areas normally not visited by any outsiders.
Hunting in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Australia's Aboriginal culture probably represents the oldest surviving culture in the world, with the use of stone tool technology and painting with red ochre pigment dating back over 60,000 years.
Arnhem Land is strictly an Aboriginal Reserve located next to Kakadu National Park in the tropical north of Australia. Travel to outside persons is restricted and visitors must obtain an entry permit.
Mysterious Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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There are no paved roads and getting around is difficult most of the time but in particular during the wet season when rivers swell and flood the swampy marches. The rivers, swamps and billabongs are also abundant with the large Australian Salt Water Crocodiles and care should be taken when camping near waterways.
An alternative to Arnhem Land is to visit Kakadu National park, which is more accessible, and the Aboriginals left their mark here too, in particular at Obirri Rock, a fantastic gallery of detailed ancient rock art. Or a visit to the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Waterfalls along the Arnhem Land Escarpment is just breathtaking.
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The Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a tall long-necked wading bird in the stork family. It is a resident species across south and southeast Asia with a large population in Australia and is very common at “Yellow Waters” in Kakadu National Park.
A visit to Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park is a must once in the area, a swamp (flood plains) with its amazing variety and abundant of wildlife, huge congregation of water fowls, white breasted sea eagles on trees, monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles that make this area a haven for wildlife photographers.
The Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory have left a great legacy of their culture in the form of art that can be found in caves and rock overhangs where it is protected from the elements. One of the richest of these areas is in Kakadu National Park, the traditional lands of the Gagudju people, in the Top End, west Arnhem Land. There are superb examples of Rock Art in the galleries of Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr, where you can view them easily.
Selection of not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Compared to the arid region in Central Australia, it comes as no surprise with such an abundance of wildlife in the area that in ancient times the aboriginal artist had a lot of motives for their rock art. The area is not only a source of food but played an important role in their spiritual life “The Dreamtime”.
Ubirr, or Obiri Rock for example in the north east of Kakadu, has some of the finest examples of "X-ray art" in the world. The artist not only painted the outside but also the bones and internal organs of the animals, mostly fish like barramundi, but also turtles, birds and reptiles.
A rare detailed painting of an unusual "Hand stencil", more of a
painting then the commonly found Hand stencils.
Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Hand Stencils are also common all over Australia and some can be dated to 50,000 years old. Aboriginal rock art was still being retouched during my visits in the 80th as seen in the photos from Arnhem Land, thus making it the world’s longest lasting artistic tradition at that time.
Aboriginal art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Detailed Bark painting from Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal rock art being retouched in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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A not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Dreamtime… Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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The “Ruined City” near the Roper River Aboriginal settlement in Arnhem Land is called also “ruined city of the Moon.” The Aboriginals call this place “Burrangie” the legendary home of giant people who live in the realm of dreamtime.
The “Ruined City” is considered and ultra-sacred Aboriginal site and is strictly off-limits to outsiders.
The "Ruined City" before sunrise in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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In the early 80th I was extremely lucky to gain permission from the tribal elders in visiting and exploring the area on foot for a couple of days. This is an amazing and eerie place and no wonder it is considered very sacred to the local Aboriginal tribe.
Burial Cave in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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After my visit to the “Ruined City” a burial ceremony took place a few days later at the Roper River aboriginal settlement and after some discussions with the Elders I was permitted to take part in this ceremony…well at least for the first part of the burial, an experience that I never forget.
As for the second part of the ceremony, the elders denied permission and no outsiders were allowed to take part, it is known as the most sacred part of the burial ceremony.
Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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This is another important time for ceremonies on the death of a person, when people paint themselves white as seen in my photos, cut their own bodies to show their remorse for the loss of their loved one, and conduct a series of rituals, songs and dances to ensure the person’s spirit leaves the area and returns to its birth place, from where it can later be reborn.
Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Bathurst Island, home of the Tiwi people, just of the coast of Darwin the capital of the Northern Territory. The facial and body painting of the people here have been described as the most colorful and elaborate of any Australian group.
Bathurst Island - The decorations essentially relate to the Tiwi people occasions for major ceremonies, for example the pukumani (mortuary or burial) by painting their bodies with white clay and pulling out their beards.
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A deep red ochre is obtained from the oval polished red stones found on the beach, which are ground then mixed with water; yellow is obtained from a soft yellow ochre stone, also ground to a powder. (The Tiwi sometimes burn the yellow to produce red.) White is generally taken from a clay found all over the island, and black is obtained from charcoal.
Traditional food sources... Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal women collecting fresh water turtles and File snakes in the vast swamps of the Northern Territory. (Freshwater streams and billabongs of the Northern Territory are home to the non-venomous file snakes; the Arafura file snake gets its name from its rough, baggy skin, which feels like a file. A nocturnal reptile, the Arafura file snake keeps in the shadows of overhanging trees during the day and forages for food during the night.)
Dingo running across the dry flood plains in
northern Australia, Northern Territory,
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The Australian Dingo plays an important role in Aboriginal society but they did not arrive in Australia with the first aboriginals some 60,000 years ago as previously thought.
They arrived some 6000 years ago in Australia and were then adopted by the native aboriginals. Dingo bones first appear in faunal deposits between about 3500 and 4000 BP.
Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some information on the Australian Aboriginals; they are also a good source for further and more detailed reading. Thank You!
GD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corroboree
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-necked_Stork
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_mythology/index1.htm
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/religion.shtml
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - part one; rare & historical photos of tribal Aboriginals from Central Australia
The story behind the photos… rare photos of tribal Aboriginals in their sacred
land from Central Australia (part one) & Arnhem Land, (part two) Australia
Corroboree - Central Australia,
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A journey through Australia’s past, “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines, a two-part series on this Blog.
Rare and seldom seen images that date back more than 30 years, taken on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age, manipulation and Computers as we know it today.
Images that can never be repeated again, but still represent an important part of Australia’s Culture and Heritage for many years to come.
Part one and two will introduce you to some of these unique images with some explanation on the culture, history and some sacred sites. Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives and I had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.
Aboriginal Ceremony near Katherine south of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
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I was fortunately enough to experience some of this amazing culture first hand during the late 70th and mid 80th taken part in tribal ceremonies, visited remote areas in Central Australia, took part of a Burial Ceremony and traveled to sacred parts in Arnhem Land, northern Australia.
I also witnessed how Aboriginals would take care of our environment, taken only what they needed from the land, an important lesson that I treasure to this day.
Corroboree - At corroboree's Aborigines interact with the Dreamtime through dance, music and costume. Many ceremonies act out events from the Dreamtime. Many of the ceremonies are sacred and people from outside a community are not permitted to participate or watch. "Their bodies painted in different ways, and they wore various adornments, which were not used every day."
Traditional song and dance is very much a part of any Corroboree, using clap sticks or bilma
and of course the famous Australian Didgeridoo - Central Australia.
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Recent scientific evidence shows, Aborigines arrived in Australia more than 50,000 years ago and some traditions and beliefs are followed to this present day in remote parts of Arnhem Land.
Some color images (slides) had to be turned into black and white due their color fading over the years, however they still represent this unique culture through Australia’s past.
Central Australia, Corroboree
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Central Australia, Corroboree
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Women preparing themselves as part of a rare
Central Australian Corroboree by applying
elaborate body paint
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Indigenous Australians' oral tradition and spiritual values are based upon reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime, The Dreaming is considered to be both the ancient time of creation and the present day reality of Dreaming. There are many different groups, each with their own individual culture, belief structure and language.
Aerial view of ULURU
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Tribal Elder at ULURU (Ayers Rock) Central Australia
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So lets start with part one and the most sacred site in Australia…Ayers Rock or know to the Aborigines as “ULURU”
Located in Central Australia in the outback is a massive slab of rock know to local Aboriginal tribes as Uluru. Year’s later western explorers named it Ayers Rock after an explorer and the name stuck. Aboriginal people believe Uluru is the origin of life and the center of the universe.
The word Uluru means, “the all-knowing and everlasting” this giant freestanding rock is indeed the most sacred site in Australia to the Aboriginal people and an awesome site for any visitor.
Aerial view of the OLGAS showing Ayers Rock in the distance,
Central Australia
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But there are so many other mystical places in the Center that played an important role for the Aboriginal Dreamtime, places like the Olgas some 30 miles west of Ayers Rock, remote and spectacular Kings Canyon, Palm Valley an Oasis in the desert, Chambers Pillar or Rainbow Valley just south of Alice Springs.
A rainbow over Rainbow Valley, a very rare event in the desert region of Central Australia.
This rock formation is actually called Rainbow Valley due to its coloring at the rock face.
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The remote but beautiful Palm Valley in the Alice Springs region of Central Australia
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The method of applying colored earth to the body varies depending on purpose. In most areas, before hunting, The men roughly smeared their bodies with ochre. In southern areas, white settlers' journals often mention the practice of smearing the whole body with earth, colored charcoal and animal fat, ostensibly to camouflage smell, but probably also to maintain body temperature.
Corroboree's can last over many days pending on the type of ceremony.
Central Australia
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Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night,
Central Australia
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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In tropical areas, coating the skin with earth and fat kept sand flies and mosquitoes at a distance. Much has been said about the decorative and ritual functions of body painting. However, paint on the body has other uses less concerned with painted designs. Paint, specifically ochre, is applied to the body as a coating for protection in fighting.
Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night
and can last over several days.Central Australia.
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Aborigine carrying a Bark painting as part of this particular dance ceremony - Corroboree.
Central Australia.
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Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night,
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Stay tuned for part two, Vanishing Cultures and Tradition from the remote and sacred parts in Arnhem Land…the Ruined City and a special burial ceremony.
GD
Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some of my research on the Australian Aboriginals, they are also a good source for further and more detailed information. Thank You!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corroboree
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_bodylivingart/index1.htm
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_sites1/index1.htm
http://www.janesoceania.com/australian_aboriginal_music/index1.htm
Travel Photography Asia: Beautiful People & true Colors from Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar.
The Journey continues through Laos - Cambodia & Myanmar
its beautiful people and true colors.
A question I get ask all the time, and a quote by Imogen Cunningham sums it up nicely.
“ Which of my photographs is my favorite?
The one I’m going to take tomorrow." – Imogen Cunningham
Inle Lake, Myanmar
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Laotian Monks looking towards Thailand, it is here where the
Mekong River separates these two Countries, Vientiane, Laos
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I am always in search for true colors and besides the question above, which is my favorite photograph I also get often ask about my colors. The colors in my images are real and have not been manipulated using editing software.
"I have seen colors which I thought didn't exist, but they do." - Gunther Deichmann
One of many Battambang's Monasteries, Cambodia
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Amazing colors are all around us, finding and seeking the right combination one needs to see; no need to distort something which is already provided by nature or human. It is all out there, in front of us ready for the taking with what ever camera you use, let your eyes guide you, separating colors from the background.
Lets look at the world through our eyes, not through photo-editing tools. But have said that, we almost don't get a choice these days…in the digital age we have to use Computers and editing softwares; I am still looking for a roll of Ektachrome to be processed, that I shot recently in Cambodia. My last roll of film? If I ever get it processed…
Festival time on Inle Lake, Myanmar
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Battambang, Cambodia
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All my camera settings are pretty much set on default and my images are processed with Aperture 3 using only the RAW Image conversion, color temperature, slightly sharpening, a little contrast and the usual cropping/straightening tools and of course getting rid of sensor dust, that little evil thing in digital photography.
During the film days we didn't have all those tools, you had to do a lot of bracketing and if you missed it then that was-it. Now we have all these options, but I honestly believe in Travel, Nature, Journalism, Geographical Photography etc., we should tell the truth.
Bagan, Myanmar
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Mandalay, Myanmar
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Luang Prabang, Laos
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Luang Prabang, Laos
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Moving Nuns - Kyauk Se Monastery, Myanmar
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Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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Just one more...
Tonle Sap, Cambodia
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Essentially, I have made no changes since the good old Kodachrome film days on how I approach and create images today. My approach and my soul are the same, and this is my philosophy about light and color.
GD
Travel Photography: Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location...but 12 years later.
Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location…
but 12 years later in Myanmar, the story behind the Photo
I visited Nyaung Shwe also known as Yawnghwe) a town a few kilometers north of Inle Lake in the Shan State of Myanmar for the first time some 12 years ago.
While driving through the town I spotted this amazing Monastery build out of Teakwood during the 19th Century with a Novice Monk standing at the oval shape window.
Oh boy… what a nice image I thought…so I loaded another roll of film in this case Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA and started to shoot. Years have past now and many images have been produced by a variety of Photographers with and without Monks at this Monastery.
I might add that the shot I took 12 years ago was not at all a setup; it just so happens that this Monk was actually standing at the window when I spotted it and this photo was later published many times.
Now 12 years later and during our GD Photo Workshop last October we made a stop at this remarkable Monastery again.
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA or Digital?
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I had actually planned this all along to re create the image I took some 12 years ago, but of course there was very little hope that a Monk was standing again at the window. Well…we arrived and sure enough there was NO Monk standing there.
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA or Digital?
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OK I thought, let’s recreate the images and I ask politely one of the Novice Monks to stand in about the same position at the window, then I went outside and took the image.
I normally don’t set shots up, but in this case I found it interesting what I could come up with, shooting digital instead of Kodachrome film from the same location but 12 years later.
An interesting exercise and the Monk I had picked was about the same age from what I remembered years ago.
I let you decide which of the two images featured is Digital or Kodachrome 200 film, I might add that the digital image was shot at the same 200 ISO and no Photoshop or other manipulation has been used.
I only used Aperture 3 with the raw conversion, some straightening, a little cropping (the same in the Kodachrome Image) added a little contrast, minor sharpening and adjusted the color temperature to daylight taken in to consideration the overcast sky.
This amazing teakwood monastery has not changed much at all except for the surrounding areas that have now additional more modern looking buildings, other than that it was pretty much the same.
The monastery is over 150 years old and sits on sturdy stilts, a protection for occasional flooding coming from the Inle Lake.
The temple next to the Monastery
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Next to the monastery you can find a small but very amazing temple that is absolutely worth a visit, housing hundreds of little Buddha statues and incredible artwork along the walls.
The temple next to the Monastery
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So, there you have it 12 years later, little has changed and I hope it will stay like this for many more years to come.
GD
Interesting feedback...Is this a real Image? Compare the images... Are we facing a dilemma in PHOTOGRAPHY today…the story continues...
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
Is this a real Image? Are we facing a dilemma in Photography today with all this software around us? Photoshop-Lightroom-APERTURE 2 – Plug-ins, new filters, the list goes on and on…how can we prove it is a real image… or been manipulated?
Coincident…? Maybe…? Probably yes…?
But maybe not sure…?
Confusing isn’t it?
© Gunther Deichmann - for more images go to
www.deichmann-photo.com
Image above...lightning over Manila Bay...the Typhoon
and Monsoon season is approaching.
Having send off this riddle I better explain… a visit today by a young and up coming Photographer who is studying at a prestigious school in Berlin…sorry no names, made me think during our conversation.
We talked about the good old days…back in the film days, photo labs, processing and how things have changed now.
Do you know about push processing, clip test’s etc., etc., I asked?
He looked at me and said, what are you talking about?
Don’t they teach this at your school? No, we all study digital and only had an hour or so with a little Black and White film.
Now here is my point…read below my personal thoughts and philosophy about Photography today…bear in mind this is only my opinion.
Lets put aside the commercial photography for a moment, like fashion, products and many other subjects related to advertising…yes they have to be around and will be with us, there are some great Photographers out there shooting some real nice stuff, we all have to make a living, including myself, right!
But when it comes to travel or plain and simple Journalistic/Geographic type Photography, I have to think…
During a recent exhibition I overheard some of the visitors saying WOW what a great shot, but he did this in the Computer…not believing that the image had been taken on Kodachrome 25 and was as real as it gets, taken some 25 years ago.
Now here is my point and concern, when do we know these days the difference between
a real image or a manipulated one?
How far can we go with our computer…it is a creative field after all…in commercial work, advertising, FX, or experimental creative photography we can go wild and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that…the computer and the software today allow us to do some amazing things, I have seen some pretty cool stuff and do some of it myself.
But when do people say WOW what a great shot and he or she did this for real… not using Photoshop and only the minimum tools in the editing software?
I guess these days we all, well almost all have to use our computers and software to do the editing and processing…it is the digital age after all, no turning back.
But it is a bit of a worry… personally I am not fond of all those filters and certain effects, (some manufactures even claim, "helping create the world's greatest images.")
Yes some of these filters and other plug-ins have a place in commercial photography, but then who can tell these days that they have not being used on other images, how can we show how the image really was at the time the shutter had been released, very difficult indeed.
I guess we have to believe the photographer and take his word for it, not much else we can do.... or do we have a choice?
I am using Aperture 2 as my darkroom and I love it for it’s speed, simplicity and management system, it is just great, plug- ins for me are out, except for the ones which can make my life a lot easier e.g. Exporting and the delivery of images from one destination to another, this is very cool stuff.
Aperture 2 unlike Photoshop let me work on my images up to a point…and this is the part I really like, you don’t get tempted to move some “heads around”, a great management system, nice editing tools you do need for digital files and a few other cool tools and applications.
But manipulation is out…if I like to do that then I switch to Photoshop or buy some new plug –ins for Aperture 2, the nice part is and this is real great…with Aperture 2 YOU can choose and set it up the way you like it, customizing to suit your type of photography.
With most other software you buy everything, it is all inside, if you use it or not, plus the temptation to “fix things” is always there.
When I shoot commercial work I try to get it right in the first place, I had to do it for some 30 years, why change now…but not adopting the attitude oh well, I can always fix this in the computer later, maybe I sound old fashion but it is so true these days.
I like the way Aperture evolved, but I feel to much attention has been given to all these plug ins, yes if you do commercial work go for it, but NO if you do serious creative, Journalistic and real life work, because you like to look into the eyes of your client and say… YES this is the real thing you can take my word for it…
If we forget or not been taught the old traditional ways, then a few years from now, we cant be sure anymore what is real and what is not.
Only a few years ago we had our negatives or slides and could prove what was real and what had been manipulated…I guess now we can only rely on our Raw images, one more reason to shoot Raw only, what I am trying to say is, that it is getting harder and harder to prove these days what is real and what is not…please think about and form your own opinion like I have with all my blah, blah above.
But isn’t a great feeling to look somebody into the eyes and say...
YES, this is the real Mc Coy.
GD
