5 Things We Need to Forget

[Alan]

Came across this post and found it very interesting. It is a short read but there were a couple of things I found very interesting which I highlighted here. I know not everyone will agree with him but he says it so well.

https://jaygoodrich.com/things-we-need-to-forget-as-photographers/

Softwear Plugins- Well, I had a little known company approach me about five years ago. They run by the name National Geographic. They pretty much set me straight. Shut the drug supply right off – cold turkey. You want to work for us? No multiple exposure merges, nothing removed from an image, nothing added to an image, no stacking, no HDR, no plugins, RAW only. Adjusted RAW, yes that is acceptable, but we need the untouched, original RAW too in order to verify your concept.

Your Camera-What is most important is YOUR vision. How you see the world and then how you choose to interpret it with the equipment that you have. If all you own is the phone in your pocket and you have a zest for creating, you WILL succeed. If you know how to utilize that singular lens in your camera bag to its fullest extent, you WILL succeed. And finally, if you truly look at the world with the eyes of a child YOU will succeed.

 

[SkvLTD]

Definitely agree on RAW adjustments and nothing else unless its REALLY necessary (like blemishes or something similar in portraiture). I see so many tutorials and others that indeed to filters and layers to achieve what ACR allows you right off the bat that it puzzles me why people don't just play with simple sliders first and foremost.

 

[stmv]

so,,, for almost 100 years, local adjustments can be made in the darkroom like dodging or burning, and other photo manipulations. Such a fine line, Ansel Adams was a master
of manipulating his photos. So, we are allowed to mmmm go to a classical level, and then just stop! laughs, like saying an art form should be frozen in time.

I understand the restricted fields of say a travel mag,, but if your are creating art for your wall, its your choices of tools. As far as the advice of its the photographer and
not the equipment,,, yes to a point,

but,, if you are a birder, better have that long lens, taking close ups,, a macro. For me, the gear goes hand and hand with the choice of photo.

on pixel quality, I mostly agree, I go from from an ancient D200 to my current best of a D800. I rented the 810 for a 15 days, and convinced myself
that an upgrade is not needed ... yet.

when I look at my edits,, 99% is adjustments in color casts, bit of levels, and some dodge and burn,,

the 1% go crazy in PS,, is when I am having fun,, seeing what I can create out of my stock shots. is it graphic art,, yes,, sometimes for sure, but still started
out as photos.

My advice, is to follow your own path.