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"It is not a narrative, but a poem"
For years I worked for the iconic photographic “capture,” requiring me to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment, the right light, and with the right settings on the camera. With patience and experience, I built an archive full of photos. Some were quite good. A few might be called iconic.
And then the tools for digital “post processing” became more capable and the possibility of going beyond the basics became so real that it engendered controversy within the photo community. Looming over every new feature in the universe of editing tools was the question: "How much can you manipulate a photograph before it ceases to be a photograph?"
The mission for some photos is to provide an accurate representation of what happened. What occurred at that news site or sporting event? What does the bird look like at the moment it snags a fish out of the water? In these circumstance, we expect photos to faithfully represent the moment.
But images that begin as photos can become the starting point for new art. There are no post processing rules. Build compositions. Change colors. Hand paint using a palette and stylus. Change day to night. Add a moon. The emphasis is not on representation, but on creation. The intent is less about informing, and much more about evoking emotions. It is not a narrative, but a poem.
I love being out with my cameras and drone. I love that I see with an eye for beauty, story, and composition. But equally, I love the time in my “digital darkroom” doing magic, creating visual poems.
REACTIONS
"You're a magician" Nancy G, Sanibel, FL
"Japanese print masters for the past 500 years are unable to restrain their awe. And don't for a minute think that they are not taking notice. I also thought it was pretty good." Jon Y, Charlottesville, VA.
"This one is truly spectacular!!The black silhouette of his body and variagation of his wings is perfect!" Linda M S, Port Charlotte, FL.