Photography: A nice letter in response to my recent post RIP Photoshop in 2012 & beyond.
RIP Photoshop in 2012 continues…the response.
My last post was suppose to be my last entry for 2011 but then I received this nice letter (unedited) in response to my last post RIP Photoshop in 2012, thank you Dermot for letting me share this with others. Happy New Year!
Hi GD
Loved your blog posting re: Photoshop RIP. Well said.
I’m not a photographer at all, as you well know… not even with a point and shoot..but I am amazed and in awe of beautiful images, especially yours. If I didn’t know you and or had not been with you when you took some of the images I know of…I would have a hard time not assuming that somehow Photoshop played a role. You’re right….there is a time and place for Photoshop….but in order to protect the integrity of and respect for accomplished photographers and their images, the viewer does indeed need to know / deserve to be informed if and when images are manipulated.
I recall the image you took one day with your point and shoot camera while we were sitting having a beer at Riptide overlooking Malakal Harbor, Palau…..the one with the tiki torch by the railing just before sunset. I was there. I saw the sky, I saw the tiki torch, and I saw you shoot the images. But I didn’t see what you saw until you showed me the image moments later…..no Photoshop! Just a trained and sensitive eye by the photographer. I also recall the image you shot ..with the same camera I think..in Singapore when we were sitting outside having dinner by the waterfront..with all the buildings lit up in the background. Same thing..I was there….I saw all that you saw…but not the way you saw it..until I saw your image! There are many more like that….some of the images I watched you take when we were in Siem Reap with Dirk. No flash; No Photoshop; just stunning images that were right before me but that my eyes just could not see……until I was GD’ed!
This has been an odd year for us…we’ve hardly been in touch ….not like before..but it’s also been a year in which I’ve seen the real Gunther ..the passionate photographer Gunther, re-emerge from the demands of the digital clutter that somehow seems to want to over take us and extinguish who we really are. Wish I could have been as successful in making change in 2011 as you were, and for 2012, I will look not just to your amazing images for inspiration but to how successfully you’ve managed to reshape your future by renewing your first passion…..your photography. No Photoshop needed!
Love you my friend and admire your deeply. Here’s wishing you a super successful 2012 and very Happy New Year and hope that we can cross paths and be in touch more often.
Hope to see you in Manila early Jan enroute to BOOT.
Best!
Dermot Keane
Photography: RIP Photoshop in 2012, the cruel story behind the photo...
The cruel story behind the photo... a real concern.
But first let me take this opportunity and wishing you all a fantastic & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
In a few days we’re moving into 2012 and this is my last post for 2011 with the conclusion that there is NO room for Photoshop in photographing Documentary, Nature, Journalism, Culture, Travel and in true story telling. RIP Photoshop in 2012!
I have written many articles on this subject and I am not going into details anymore but rather get to the point right away. We all know the pros and cons about Photoshop and how it has changed at least for some of us the way we look at photography today.
PS has its place in the commercial world or in graphic design, but there should be no use of any manipulation if we photographing the subjects mention above.
However if we do alter the image then it should be stated with the published work that it has been digitally altered.
Now to my concern and the story behind the photo:
The Olgas in Central Australia
More images from the Book Journey Through Color & Time
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
The image in question above, the Olgas with a Rainbow taken in Central Australia was part of my exhibition during the Launch of my Book “Journey Through Color & Time in 2006.
It was during this exhibition that I overheard a group of people saying how wonderful and great this image was, with the exception of some comments that this could only have been done in Photoshop.
Now that is cruel if you ask me… I contained my disappointment and anger, even if I had to explain it to them they would have not believed me, as the saying goes, good photos do not need an explanation.
So here we are…or where are we? These where educated people believing great images are created partially in Photoshop and this is where the real problem lies.
The said photo was created way before Photoshop existed, even Computers where in the infant stage, a blow below the belt to the artist/photographer.
Taken on Kodachrome 25 ASA, at the right time and a little bit of luck with the weather.
Mustering Cattle Central Australia
Kodachrome 25ASA
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Yes, of course times have changed and we do use digital cameras, but we should refrain from any manipulation. If it can’t be avoided then we should state this loud and clear and stop fooling the public, because soon or later nobody believes anything anymore.
But how much is allowed? In the digital age we have to apply a certain amount of post processing e.g. sensor dust removal, some sharpening, minor contrast increase, of course cropping and straightening.
Some adjustment of the color temperature for images taken under difficult lighting conditions plus a few minor tweaks all amounting to less then 10%, good Photographers shoot right in the first place and do not rely on PS, we done it on film so why not now.
Wild Horses Top End Australia
Kodachrome 25ASA
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
You might think that I am old fashioned or outdated, well its rather the opposite I embrace technical advances but I don’t agree with distorting nature or telling stories with manipulated images.
Software like Aperture, Lightroom or some others allow us to make basic adjustment and more, plenty good enough for our images.
If you have only PS then use it only for the basic RAW conversion and minor adjustments as mention above.
If your creative juices start flowing and you have to manipulate beyond the norm then state so below the image, this will gain you respect and is truthful to you and the public.
Provided by nature our Eyes are the best cameras since birth, we need to learn how to see, the rest will follow.
All the above is only my Opinion, but I know I share this with many others.
As for me in 2012, I continue to create images without the use of PS like I have done for the past 30 years, so RIP Photoshop for 2012 and beyond.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
GD
Just one more without Photoshop…
Varanasi India 2011 - Digital Image
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Underwater Photography…a controversial subject… moving Marine Life around for a better shot. Aren’t we supposed to leave them where they are? What ever happen to the good old saying…LOOK…APPRECIATE…But Don’t Touch?
Sorry no Aperture 2 talk today...but you might find this article very interesting.
Last night I became part of an interesting 3-hour conversation with Marc Ambat and S M Jayabalan, both are scuba divers and take underwater photos. Marc is a Chief Technical Officer working at a Top Digital production House specializing in Video FX and Jaya is the GM of Sensing Technology Corporation. So there you have it, two very intelligent and super nice people, our conversation started like this…
I mention a recent article in DivePhotoGuide.com… National Geographic has put up an online gallery of amazing nudibranch photography from our good friend David Doubilet, from the June issue. The imagery is classicly Doubilet, putting a different perspective on these amazingly diverse and colorful subjects...read more @ http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/david_doubilet
© Gunther Deichmann - a feeding Nudibranch
from Puerto Galera, Philippines
Please note all the images on this Blog have been taken the natural way
none of them have been manipulated.
This published article showcased the latest work of David Doubilet…amazing images of cool looking Nudibranchs (click the link for the images) http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/nudibranchs/doubilet-photography
How did he achieve this? That is a very good question…you might say Photoshop…but I have heard another story…moving a complete studio underwater, tons of equipment and of course a dozen or so assistants. Wow what a budget given to him by National Geographic, however there is no way that this could have been executed without moving the Nudibranchs from their original location,even Photoshop could have been excepted in this case but moving animals around? Maybe I am wrong then please tell me so, it is after all only my opinion.
We suppose to be responsible Divers but now we see this, David Doubilet is an outstanding Underwater Photographer if not the very best on this planet…but why is he shooting like this now? For the sake of Art or just been different?
I have seen David’s other images and one can only admire him, absolutely fantastic there is no question about it…but this Nudibranch shoot, I honestly don’t get it.
I am not the only one with this opinion, Marc and Jaya agreed with me fully hearted and I am sure there are many more out there who share this with us.
© Gunther Deichmann - a feeding Nudibranch from Puerto Galera
Here we are talking about the environment and now we start moving our precious Marine life around declaring with these images an open season for other underwater Photographers…well, if he does it, then why cant I…what is next…tied up Dugongs and Turtles? They doing it already in Palau with Crocodiles just for the thrill, some operators offering to dive with Crocodiles for a fee of course and as the saying goes “no strings attached” but in this case there are.
Yes... this is another interesting and controversial issue but at least we can voice our concern and opinion.
(read some comments in Dive PhotoGuide.com)
If this was done for some scientific research then I can understand it, great images for sure, but I am disappointed at David Doubilet and National Geographic meddling with our marine life in the not so natural way.
Click on the Image and go direct to more of Omar’s Photos
Above Photo: © Omar D. Linsangan from
Dugong Dive Center, Palawan Philippines
Think about it and form your own opinion we are in titled of that, but for Jaya, Marc and myself it was very clear…Don’t touch! Look and observe and if you like to get this magic shot become a good and responsible diver first. Even the smallest of Digital Cameras give you some amazing results…remember Omar from Dugong Dive Center and my previous Blog…he does not move things around. Isn’t this what we have been taught during our first Open Water Course with PADI or other organizations?
GD
Gunther Deichmann - Nudibranch from Dumaguete, Philippines
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
