Why are some photographers obsessed with reality

I spend a lot of time reading photography forums, maybe too much sometimes, and it never fails that I find a debate on editing. While there are several different types, they fall into three basic categories, purists who don’t like much or any post-processing, the “I don’t really care crowd”, and those, like me, “the anything-goes-crowd”. The group that seems to be the most passionate is the purists.

I am working towards becoming a fine art photographer, thus I use the term photographic artist. I’m not sure I have made it yet, but I’m working on getting my style(s) down. I am quite passionate about my stance on the use of post-processing. I don’t let the fear of reality or changing reality stand in my way. Let’s take a look at the photograph above in its original form.

I love photographing alleyways, but I’m often not in them when the scene looks the way I envision it because sometimes they are in bad neighborhoods where I don’t want to be at night.

Don’t let the neigh sayers keep you from your vision. I rarely let others know just how much I may have altered a scene because it really isn’t important. What is important is that I created the art that I envisioned. Work your magic, create your art, and don’t listen to those who want to discourage you. Make magic, make art.

Comments

2 responses to “Why are some photographers obsessed with reality”

  1. Brian Avatar

    I agree that the “magic” happens in post-processing which enhances the attention to the subject and improves the composition.

    It is also fun to compare various options of an image.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. There are no rules! – Photographer Clay Avatar

    […] In 1994 during an interview Helen Frankenthaler stated, “There are no rules, that is one thing I say about every medium, every picture . . .  that is how art is born, that is how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules, that is what invention is about.” This is often a concept photographers fail to recognize. A bit over 3 years ago I wrote a similar post, “Why are some photographers obsessed with reality“. […]

    Like

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