Photomatography

paintedghost · Post by **paintedghost** » August 18th, 2008, 6:51 pm

So.. I haven't bought the "other" CA mag for ages (I'm assuming that it's churning out the same things? Vectors still popular? Everyone thinks they're a Mac artist???) but I do subscribe to a photography magazine (Practical Photography).

Now don't get me wrong, it's got some really good tips and stuff like that, but it's made me wonder for a while, do digital photographers rely too heavily on Photoshop to improve their photos?

Surely having the skills with the camera is what makes a good photographer? I'm not saying that using photoshop to make slight adjustments is bad, but there comes a time when so much digital improvement is made that it becomes less photo more artwork...?

What do you think?

Paul Stones · Post by **Paul Stones** » August 18th, 2008, 10:00 pm

I suppose it depends on what people want. If you describe yourself as a "photographer" you probably prefer to do most of the work in the viewfinder, but even Ansel Adams liked mucking about in the darkroom. I know a lot of people (including myself) who tweak a lot of stuff in PS but still call it photography. Once you start adding vectors, text, 38 filters and a drop shadow, it's probably not photography any more. As long as you are happy with the result, does it matter how you got there?

By the way, I haven't read the "other" CA for about 5 years, but I still get sent emails from them ... not sure why ...

Post by **morphim** » August 19th, 2008, 8:19 am

A topic to discuss

The magazine industry have been airbrishing photos for decades.

I think photoshop and the like are just additional tools to get you what you want. I think cameras of any description are limited and yes, many people have made the most of this.
However, if you can do more with an image afterwards to either get it to a more pleasing state or to create something that wasn't possible with the camera, I say 'yay' (as opposed to nay

)

I also haven't read / purchased a CA for several years.
I did buy the current Computer Arts projects because it mentiojed Citizen Art

But, it was £7.50

Jesus, what a rip off!! Same old crap; different year

cow · Post by **cow** » August 21st, 2008, 7:57 am

Fwiw, I haven't bought the CA mag for years either. Does anyone buy it?! I see a pattern emerging in our breakaway movement.

I'd agree that extensive photo manipulation may swing more towards artwork than photography but when I was a kid and my dad had his darkroom in the attic, he used to have a box full of filters for his cameras. Although I do think the real skill for "photography" is the thought and vision behind the camera, then the skills to nail the shot as desired.