On Photoshop and on being a Purist

I’ve got a CS4 for my birthday and been playing with it non-stop. I am getting quite efficient and just can’t believe all of the awesomeness the software delivers (provided one knows how to use it). I design software for a living, so I can tell a good product from a not too great one. I can also tell when I run into a superb product. Well, the Adobe’s software I think has my highest respect. I’d say I became quite an advanced user in the last little while and it’s only know I can truly appreciate Photoshop.

I am learning software post processing for the composites and for some interesting people photography. While I did go nuts and made a “Martian” version out of some of my night shots, I intend to keep my light painting “organic” and not to tamper with them.

Below is the tame version of the “Martian” shots, which was really intended to mimic the night “IR”.



I used to be quite adamant about any software manipulation and I would always pride myself that I can do required job ‘in-camera’. And that is still valid. I am equipped with enough knowledge, patience and filters to get the shot I want. In the past, I was the first violin in the orchestra that plays the “poo poo” symphony to Photoshop.

Now, I processed my film and printed my pictures since a tender age. The dodging and burning, tinting and performing basic Vodoo moves in the contrast department seemed honest. Was it only because I was honestly inhaling chemicals that accompanied the magic? And how do I do it with digital?

Anyway, this rant could go on and on. And while I am becoming quite proficient in Photoshop (the results will be available in a few months when I am done with a current project), I still feel guilty manipulating my night shots in some ‘untruthful’ way.

Here is the source of the moderate guilt:



I didn’t make any serious offences with this image. It was converted to Black and White, slightly tinted. And that’s fine. There used to be a big stone in front of the cart and the bloody thing was just interfering with a scene too much. This picture was featured on my exhibition (original coloured version), I have a 24 inches print on my wall. I love the level of details and all, but I could never stand the stone.

I Photoshopped it out today. The purists will be disappointed I suppose as it doesn’t represent the reality and I had to compose better so the thing is not interfering with a scene. Sure, I didn’t work hard enough. Driving all the way to the very south of Montana and living over there for 10 days to get few shots. Cost me a fortune. My truck broke down and I had to walk at night to find help. I was sick to begin with when I went there and could hardly walk sometimes as it was just a few months after the car accident. I was sharing that night ghost town with a frigging bear and got frozen when the temperature dropped one night. Did I mention that I hardly slept for over a week? And so, when I finally composed the scene the way I saw it, the bloody stone was right there in front of the cart, and it would be a crime to photoshop it out ‘cause I didn’t try hard enough to get the best out of the scene.

It’s not about raising the bar, but I guess I am getting less rigid about Photoshop usage. Not to be disappointed – I am still going to be doing ‘organic’ light painting. It’s just I won’t feel guilty if I’d have to do adjustments such as in the example above. Especially in historical places, where I should thread lightly and not to move subjects around.

I should restrain myself from going over the Maya ruins I shot in Guatemala ;) grin….