We see this everywhere. The experts, particularly photographers, are all trying to sell us stuff. They all have “products” to “make it easier” and “create the same look and feel” they are known for. They range from presets to plugins. It seems as if few want to be creative on their own, they want to copy the look of someone else.
On top of that if you listen to the experts, nearly all of them want you to buy their products or products that “support them”. I realize they have to make money, but it doesn’t seem as if it is about photography any longer but rather about the “bottom line”.
Has it become that the only way you can succeed is by becoming like the “experts” and buying their stuff? Is creativity dead?
Change often causes people stress, especially when it comes to some photographers. I see many of those photographers every day. A new tool comes out, be it a camera feature, software tool, or whatever else and photography is dead. “Real photographers don’t need that!” Digital photography killed “real photography”. I don’t believe any of those statements, but I see them nearly every day.
The current technology that is often the brunt of criticism today is artificial intelligence. Many fear that it, artificial intelligence will replace them. Maybe it will maybe it won’t but what I have found is that the way artificial intelligence is currently positioned in my workflow in photography is the mundane tasks are faster and less tedious. Things that used to take significantly longer can now take mere moments to accomplish. This frees up time to be more productive and creative. Without change we are forever stuck in the past.
Modern digital cameras packed with features, modern software allowing for 10 stops or more adjustments in exposure, the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to add or subtract elements to images plus a plethora of other tools and equipment. All these things make the work of a photographer so much easier, but has it become too easy? I don’t believe so and I’ll tell you why.
For me, these tools are time savers, allowing me more time to spend taking the photographs and getting the results I envisioned. Let’s face it, reality has never been a goal of an artist, at least in my mind. Yes, I want it to look real, but often not to look exactly the way it was by nature. Photographers have altered reality from the beginning. Photographers have pushed the limits of creativity throughout time. I know there are those that claim to be “purists” who strive to copy “reality”, but I believe they are fooling themselves.
One of my new favorite tools is the use of A.I. in programs like Photoshop and Lightroom, allowing me to make selections faster, more accurately, and easier. In addition, the use of removing distractions has never been easier or faster. Today’s featured photograph had a number of people in the original photograph. While it has been possible to eliminate distractions such as people for a long time by use of other tools or methods, it often required special tools or was time consuming. Today, it can be done in a matter of moments.
Photography hasn’t gotten easier, but the tools have become more powerful allowing us the ability to generate our art faster and allowing us more time to be creative with our cameras.
We arrived in Ocean Shores Washington a couple of days ago. On the first day we explored just a bit and yesterday we just rested, traveling can be tiring. Today we explored “North Jetty and Damon Point. What made this even better was the ocean was very active due to the storms that were coming and going.
Witnessing the power of the waves as they crashed into the rocks and beach was awe inspiring for us.
Apparently, we were not the only people that thought so as the beach was full of people, even though I could avoid them in the photographs I took.
I mentioned a few days ago that we, my wife and I, were beginning to travel to photography and wine, (we both like wine). One of the first destinations we chose was the Tri-cities, Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco Washington. We chose this area because there are a number of wineries in the area. It also sits in a low spot between two mountain ranges and along the Columbia River. Because of it’s location it is more desert like with few trees and grass. Temperatures vary widely with daytime temperatures in September from 90 degrees to nighttime lows in the 50’s.
That being said, there are some interesting photo opportunities and some awesome wine. More exploring this area in the next three days.
Beginning September 14, 2023 new adventures begin. We will become vagabonds, traveling to new places we have not been to and exploring the world of living on the road. During our travels I will be posting photos and tales of becoming a traveling photographer.
This is something my wife and I have discussed many times in the past but through an interesting set of events this is becoming a reality. It is both exciting and overwhelming.
Follow along for the fascinating and exciting places we will visit as well as the lessons we learn along the way.
I must admit I have never been much of a street photographer. I always felt like I was spying on people. Recently, I went out with a photographer friend just for that purpose. I found I enjoyed it. I only took two lenses with me, and both were somewhat unassuming. The lens I used primarily was a 50mm, which is very small.
What I discovered is I talked to a lot of the people I photographed. I was a unique experience even after I spent 30+ years in a career where I spoke to people I didn’t know on a daily basis.
I’m not sure how much true street photography I’ll do in the future, but it will always be an option for me.
Photographers and photographic artists both work with capturing images, but there are notable differences between the two.
A photographer is someone who captures moments and events through the lens of a camera. They focus on technical aspects such as lighting, composition, and framing to produce visually appealing and accurate representations of subjects. Photographers often work in various genres such as landscape, portrait, fashion, or documentary photography. Their primary goal is to capture and convey a specific moment or story.
On the other hand, a photographic artist goes beyond simply capturing a moment. They use photography as a medium for artistic expression and storytelling. Photographic artists employ their creativity and imagination to produce images that convey emotions, concepts, or abstract ideas. They experiment with various techniques, such as manipulation, multiple exposures, or the use of unconventional subject matter to create unique and thought-provoking visual narratives.
While photographers primarily focus on the technical aspects of image capture, photographic artists delve into the realm of artistic interpretation and conceptualization. They may incorporate elements of other art forms, such as painting, sculpture, or digital editing, to enhance their visual creations.
In summary, photographers capture moments and events, aiming for accuracy and appealing visuals, while photographic artists use photography as a means of artistic expression and storytelling, exploring creativity and pushing the boundaries of visual representation.
Photographer Clay 