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Your feelings about your art?
- Thread starter Firefloss
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MikeMc
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I also .... I as a shooter get a few satisfying images per shoot, roll or whatever it's called now. But I have salvaged junk with PS before I hit delete and a few are better than I visualized. Yes Topaz is a tool I use to create something from nothing.
A great challenge idea start with CaCa and get a rose.......
Steve
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You're talking about Photoshopping I'm talking about photography.
With photography you always strive to get it right in the camera.
ibclare
Queen Bee
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Before there was Photoshop, there was straight photography with film and developer and a few tricks in the darkroom to improve a shot or get creative. But taking pictures IMO always involved learning to train the eye, as Steve says, then finding the object of your passion to shoot. That hasn't changed. As Mike says, you can't expect all shots on a roll or proof sheet to be eye-catching, satisfying, or have the wow factor. Not even a commercial photographer with a controlled setting will know for sure till the images are displayed.
I think that is probably what was meant when you were told to "blast away." But as Steve writes, you have to choose where you're goin g to do the blasting if you want a real explosion.
One of my favorite photographers from some years back is Cartier-Bresson. His "Decisive Moment" is famous. Some of his shots are so amazing, you are sure they had to be staged, but of course, they are not. This is an article you may find interesting. My only disagreement with the author is that he makes it sound as if the shot to create this moment was one single shot. Bresson saw his opportunity and took a series of shots as the action unfurled. At least that is my memory from Photo History Classes. He was correct however, the author that is, in saying that to get good shots did not mean take hundreds of random shots, but focus on an action, an object, or a place,and find what is interesting about it.
That is what Steve's list of approaches is all about. If you haven't already, take photo history or study books, even the coffee table variety, read the critics if you must, (but don't always take them seriously as some are too analytical or just spouting personal opinion) and read what the photographers have to say about their work. You can learn a lot just by analyzing the photos yourself or having discussions about them.
Yes, taking multiple shots is important to find the one; they won't all be successes no matter how good you get. But being afraid to fail, even if an entire day of shooting is seemingly wasted - it isn't - will only paralyze you.
Be inspired and have fun. Photoshop is an amazing program that allows you to make the edits, such as burning, dodging, solarizing for fun, tweaking light and shadow, and so forth (especially done in Camera Raw if you can shoot raw), but as others have said, your best bet for a really fine photograph resides within the camera and your understanding of the factors that will affect the outcome.
IMHO!
I think that is probably what was meant when you were told to "blast away." But as Steve writes, you have to choose where you're goin g to do the blasting if you want a real explosion.
One of my favorite photographers from some years back is Cartier-Bresson. His "Decisive Moment" is famous. Some of his shots are so amazing, you are sure they had to be staged, but of course, they are not. This is an article you may find interesting. My only disagreement with the author is that he makes it sound as if the shot to create this moment was one single shot. Bresson saw his opportunity and took a series of shots as the action unfurled. At least that is my memory from Photo History Classes. He was correct however, the author that is, in saying that to get good shots did not mean take hundreds of random shots, but focus on an action, an object, or a place,and find what is interesting about it.
That is what Steve's list of approaches is all about. If you haven't already, take photo history or study books, even the coffee table variety, read the critics if you must, (but don't always take them seriously as some are too analytical or just spouting personal opinion) and read what the photographers have to say about their work. You can learn a lot just by analyzing the photos yourself or having discussions about them.
Yes, taking multiple shots is important to find the one; they won't all be successes no matter how good you get. But being afraid to fail, even if an entire day of shooting is seemingly wasted - it isn't - will only paralyze you.
Be inspired and have fun. Photoshop is an amazing program that allows you to make the edits, such as burning, dodging, solarizing for fun, tweaking light and shadow, and so forth (especially done in Camera Raw if you can shoot raw), but as others have said, your best bet for a really fine photograph resides within the camera and your understanding of the factors that will affect the outcome.
IMHO!
Tom Mann
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Anyone who knows me knows that I'm also firmly on the get-it-right-in-the-camera side of the aisle.
One factor that I don't think was mentioned above is that trying to correct problems after the fact using PS or any such program usually take much more time, and never result in as high quality results as getting it right in the camera.
That being said, there are times when one simply doesn't have control of the action, the lighting, the shooting angle, etc., so in those cases, of course one may have to improve the image that the camera dealt you. Just like the old saying that "the best camera is the one in your hand", the best image is the one that you took, not the one that you missed.
T
One factor that I don't think was mentioned above is that trying to correct problems after the fact using PS or any such program usually take much more time, and never result in as high quality results as getting it right in the camera.
That being said, there are times when one simply doesn't have control of the action, the lighting, the shooting angle, etc., so in those cases, of course one may have to improve the image that the camera dealt you. Just like the old saying that "the best camera is the one in your hand", the best image is the one that you took, not the one that you missed.
T
ibclare
Queen Bee
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I agree Tom. I guess that was what I tried to say, "your best bet for a really fine photograph resides within the camera and your understanding of the factors that will affect the outcome."
Anyway, OK I'm nuts about Henri Cartier-Bresson, but here is another good link with some of my favorite of his shots.
Anyway, OK I'm nuts about Henri Cartier-Bresson, but here is another good link with some of my favorite of his shots.
Crotale
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I create and design works that moves me. Well, I say "works" because I suppose the term "art" is highly subjective when it comes to my work. I would not label myself as an artist or a designer. I called myself an artist once and that did not go over too well with a group of people who fancied themselves as artists.
There are occasions when I create to calm my mind, and other times it is to stimulate my thoughts and emotions. I hope that the end result does the same for others, but I have no delusions on whether a specific piece will be well-received or panned. Most of my creations never see the world outside of my own hard drive. The way I see it, if I am not happy with it, I surely cannot expect anyone else to be. This is probably why I tend to labor far too long on works that I feel have real substance. I thrive on the effort and fortitude required to propel myself through the labor of love that is much of my best work to date.
As many members here know by now, I commit to what I call "doodles," which are more or less nothing more than crayon and chicken scratch meant to give me an outlet for release. They have no purpose, there is no end game, but sometimes, sometimes...I find myself creating a work that moves me. It is very therapeutic for me. Not everyone can just dink around just to release some pent up frustration or anxiety, but mental blocks tend to have a laundry list of empowered components. We just have to find the inhibitor that works for each of us as individuals, for there is no silver bullet fix.
There are occasions when I create to calm my mind, and other times it is to stimulate my thoughts and emotions. I hope that the end result does the same for others, but I have no delusions on whether a specific piece will be well-received or panned. Most of my creations never see the world outside of my own hard drive. The way I see it, if I am not happy with it, I surely cannot expect anyone else to be. This is probably why I tend to labor far too long on works that I feel have real substance. I thrive on the effort and fortitude required to propel myself through the labor of love that is much of my best work to date.
As many members here know by now, I commit to what I call "doodles," which are more or less nothing more than crayon and chicken scratch meant to give me an outlet for release. They have no purpose, there is no end game, but sometimes, sometimes...I find myself creating a work that moves me. It is very therapeutic for me. Not everyone can just dink around just to release some pent up frustration or anxiety, but mental blocks tend to have a laundry list of empowered components. We just have to find the inhibitor that works for each of us as individuals, for there is no silver bullet fix.
ibclare
Queen Bee
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I don't care what anyone says. If you are an artist and call yourself an artist, ignore the dissonance of those angsty younguns who snobbishly think anyone who doesn't fit their definition is not. That's what I say.
You Crotale, are an artist!
Steve
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Getting it right in the camera doesn't mean you couldn't do a little or a lot of PS changes if that's what you want.
But I want to spend my time doing creative changes, not fixing flaws and mistakes in an image.
agentmoeller
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I often open a new document in Ps, and wait for the muse to bite me.
Sometimes she does.... sometimes she doesn't. It's similar to the cartooning process for me. I sit poised with pencil over paper, and.....
wait.
Agent
Sometimes she does.... sometimes she doesn't. It's similar to the cartooning process for me. I sit poised with pencil over paper, and.....
wait.
Agent
iDad
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Excuse me if I'm wrong, but this topic was created in "general Photoshop board" correct? My reading of this whole thread and the idea here is, "using Photoshop to create your art”.
Of course with camerawork you want to get it right the first time that's a no-brainer.
Creating art with Photoshop I suppose could start with the camera but the camera cannot do what Photoshop can, perhaps to a slight degree, coloring lighting things like that but special-effects usually come after-the-fact.
The op asked
"I'm curious on what do you feel when you edit photos,do some photo manipulations and etc’. The subject here is what do you feel when you edit your photos, not why or how do you get a good photo. Or let's just write something to show how smart we are about our approach to things. It's a simple question, now going back to my answer.
Where are my cigarettes that I don't smoke?:mrgreen::deadhorse:
Of course with camerawork you want to get it right the first time that's a no-brainer.
Creating art with Photoshop I suppose could start with the camera but the camera cannot do what Photoshop can, perhaps to a slight degree, coloring lighting things like that but special-effects usually come after-the-fact.
The op asked
"I'm curious on what do you feel when you edit photos,do some photo manipulations and etc’. The subject here is what do you feel when you edit your photos, not why or how do you get a good photo. Or let's just write something to show how smart we are about our approach to things. It's a simple question, now going back to my answer.
Where are my cigarettes that I don't smoke?:mrgreen::deadhorse:
Crotale
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Thanks, clare. Means a lot to me.
Steve
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iDad
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Well Steve, if you'd like to be precise
The phrase you edit photos I believe is in past tense of taking a photo:mrgreen:Hi, I'm curious on what do you feel when you edit photos, do some photo manipulations and etc. do you feel happy? excited? feeling accomplished? do you really enjoy it? I just want to know your thoughts and feelings befre and after working.
I feel kinda numb if the art's good and I've worked for a while on it, being honest, because suddenly I don't know what there is to do any more. I'll try something else, but the creative juices aren't flowing anymore, so I kind of just sit there and wait for the next idea, or play a game.
ibclare
Queen Bee
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First of all, I'm going to move this to the off-topic forum, a bit more appropriate. (won't change anything of substance)
Then @iDad, in reply to your answer: "Where are my cigarettes that I don't smoke?:mrgreen::deadhorse:"
:ditto: I liked that post.
I've been commenting and asking for clarifications, etc., but I never posted my own feelings about creating artworks, etc. I have a tendency to talk too much but I'll try to edit my words!
My history is of fine arts, painting mostly, photography, art & photo history, design & graphics, etc. I've been looking at art collection books and visiting museums since I was under 4 ft. tall, so I feel educated at least in what can be/has been created. All this and doing my own work has lent me inspiration.
I do logos and did some websites, primarily for friends and family (hand drawn logos before PS), and I loved making the designs. PS is a fun and challenging way to produce results, allowing so many ways to do the same thing that we each can choose what suits our working style best.
Today, I help on the forum some and feel gratification, as well as learning a lot myself as I try to put my words of advice into actuality -- can be very humbling!
My favorite thing to do is to make manipulations and usually use the stocks I come across on deviantarts.com. I'll supplement those with images from google, like if I need a hairbrush or a toy truck for my piece. These are usually store items so there isn't much concern re: copyright.
As for what moves me to create, a theme often forms in my head, and I start to collect images that might work. Recently I concentrated on some newer songs that spoke to my sense of life. Somewhere along the line, I came up with an idea of a Lion and Lamb series, based on the lamb being a child. The first few were a lot of fun and fueled by the new energy. But when I got to the fifth and final idea, I worked on three versions of it and was never satisfied. This was when the fun went out of it. So I put it away. That's one thing I've learned, even if I edit something and know it needs more to meet my expectations, often it is best to table it for awhile (maybe forever) and move on to the next. We always learn to utilize the last work we did.
Sometimes, just browsing through stock images inspired me to start a new project. This actually happens a lot.
As for right now . . . my creative juices have been flowing like molasses in February. And since it is February, I'd not be surprised if quite a few people are hibernating in more ways than one. Winter is certainly a time for reflection and that may be a good thing, time to reflect on what you wish to say, who you wish to reach, and what is the passion you want to apply to your work.
Photoshop is, above all, a powerful program that I am constantly learning and like others have said, I'm addicted to piling layer upon layer and playing with the way these can be combined, composed, blended, and all the fun applications!
You can see in my signature how I feel about Photoshop. Some day I'll get a Good Camera and re-explore that side of my art.
In the meantime, I accept the stagnation and do other fun things, like my taxes! And my teeth! For someone who is sure they were strangled to death in a past life, the dentist is just a barrel of laughs.
I think the idea of the stagnation, really the resting of the world's blooming birth, is giving me some ideas. So thanks for the thread. And thanks everyone for baring their souls here!
Then @iDad, in reply to your answer: "Where are my cigarettes that I don't smoke?:mrgreen::deadhorse:"
:ditto: I liked that post.
I've been commenting and asking for clarifications, etc., but I never posted my own feelings about creating artworks, etc. I have a tendency to talk too much but I'll try to edit my words!
My history is of fine arts, painting mostly, photography, art & photo history, design & graphics, etc. I've been looking at art collection books and visiting museums since I was under 4 ft. tall, so I feel educated at least in what can be/has been created. All this and doing my own work has lent me inspiration.
I do logos and did some websites, primarily for friends and family (hand drawn logos before PS), and I loved making the designs. PS is a fun and challenging way to produce results, allowing so many ways to do the same thing that we each can choose what suits our working style best.
Today, I help on the forum some and feel gratification, as well as learning a lot myself as I try to put my words of advice into actuality -- can be very humbling!
My favorite thing to do is to make manipulations and usually use the stocks I come across on deviantarts.com. I'll supplement those with images from google, like if I need a hairbrush or a toy truck for my piece. These are usually store items so there isn't much concern re: copyright.
As for what moves me to create, a theme often forms in my head, and I start to collect images that might work. Recently I concentrated on some newer songs that spoke to my sense of life. Somewhere along the line, I came up with an idea of a Lion and Lamb series, based on the lamb being a child. The first few were a lot of fun and fueled by the new energy. But when I got to the fifth and final idea, I worked on three versions of it and was never satisfied. This was when the fun went out of it. So I put it away. That's one thing I've learned, even if I edit something and know it needs more to meet my expectations, often it is best to table it for awhile (maybe forever) and move on to the next. We always learn to utilize the last work we did.
Sometimes, just browsing through stock images inspired me to start a new project. This actually happens a lot.
As for right now . . . my creative juices have been flowing like molasses in February. And since it is February, I'd not be surprised if quite a few people are hibernating in more ways than one. Winter is certainly a time for reflection and that may be a good thing, time to reflect on what you wish to say, who you wish to reach, and what is the passion you want to apply to your work.
Photoshop is, above all, a powerful program that I am constantly learning and like others have said, I'm addicted to piling layer upon layer and playing with the way these can be combined, composed, blended, and all the fun applications!
You can see in my signature how I feel about Photoshop. Some day I'll get a Good Camera and re-explore that side of my art.
In the meantime, I accept the stagnation and do other fun things, like my taxes! And my teeth! For someone who is sure they were strangled to death in a past life, the dentist is just a barrel of laughs.
I think the idea of the stagnation, really the resting of the world's blooming birth, is giving me some ideas. So thanks for the thread. And thanks everyone for baring their souls here!
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