I'm going to play catch-up with the spring blossom pics that I took this season, since it's rainy and I seem to be working on a project that does not involve wandering around aimlessly in down town areas photographing other people's trees & flowers. I've gotten some looks and concerned questions from some on-lookers this year — yes, I'm taking pictures of a tree in broad daylight wearing a bright magenta colored shirt — uh-huh, that would kind of make me a terrible burgler, wouldn't it? I mean, where's the stealth?
So, yes, this tree has already bloomed and moved on to just having leaves. Oh, and it's actually the Bradford pear tree in my front yard.
So, yes, this tree has already bloomed and moved on to just having leaves. Oh, and it's actually the Bradford pear tree in my front yard.
I'm not a photography purist, whatever that's supposed to mean. And quite frankly, there have always been lenses and different styles of camera and various miscellaneous factors, so, you know: it is an image taken through a piece of glass with various mechanical variables. How on earth that was ever pure... ah, that's me being esoteric.
I was recently (okay, maybe 4 weeks ago, it's a relative term) reading someone's blog where they asserted that they would no longer process their pictures using "filters" in photoshop. And I just kind of thought - eh, I'm not that declarative. Visually, if I think something needs to be tweaked or altered in a certain way — then I'm going to do it. I'm not going to let some false principle of "not doing something" cloud my better judgement. So, yes, these are all manipulated, and that's how I like them.
When I was photographing the plum cherry tree from a few entries back a neighbor actually stopped me on my way to my car to ask me what I was doing. I mean, he knew I was taking pictures of the tree, it was a question of why. My answer was this: because it's pretty.
It's the same thing with photo editing, relatively: because I like the way it looks.
Plus, it's an image, it's meant to be evocative. And besides that, anyone who owns, knows of, or otherwise lives near a Bradford pear tree can tell you: they look very pretty when they bloom, but they smell terrible. Although the bees don't seem to mind. There were points when this tree bloomed that it was just abuzz.
I was recently (okay, maybe 4 weeks ago, it's a relative term) reading someone's blog where they asserted that they would no longer process their pictures using "filters" in photoshop. And I just kind of thought - eh, I'm not that declarative. Visually, if I think something needs to be tweaked or altered in a certain way — then I'm going to do it. I'm not going to let some false principle of "not doing something" cloud my better judgement. So, yes, these are all manipulated, and that's how I like them.
When I was photographing the plum cherry tree from a few entries back a neighbor actually stopped me on my way to my car to ask me what I was doing. I mean, he knew I was taking pictures of the tree, it was a question of why. My answer was this: because it's pretty.
It's the same thing with photo editing, relatively: because I like the way it looks.
Plus, it's an image, it's meant to be evocative. And besides that, anyone who owns, knows of, or otherwise lives near a Bradford pear tree can tell you: they look very pretty when they bloom, but they smell terrible. Although the bees don't seem to mind. There were points when this tree bloomed that it was just abuzz.
11 comments:
Sarah, your photos are fabulous!! Tweak away!!
I love playing with the pics either in the darkroom or the computer.
Wherever I can manipulate a pixel...call me there!!!
Ha!
Hugs
SueAnn
Quite agree! If you like it, do it. There's as much skill in 'tweaking' as there is in taking the shot!
It is your image so do what you need to do.I use different angles and lighting to get similar shots, but remain a purist.
Mmmmm..... fantastic Sarah!
xo Catherine
Well, I think your photos are wonderful! Great job.
Beautiful pear blossoms, Sarah !
Your photos are wonderful, I love the way you've edited them :-)
Wish you a nice sunny weekend,
Sylvia
Beautiful photos, Sarah.
This is like getting lost in an ethereal dream!
I think most blossoms look great. Bunched flowers can be interesting if taken in macro format where some are in focus and others not. - Dave
I'm with you when it comes to doing what you need/want/enjoy doing to them after the fact. You're an artist.. who says the full art is only in the capturing of the image? The blossoms are drawing me in this spring too.
I agree. Taking a photograph is a mechanical, artificial process that doesn't capture with complete accuracy the subject in the photo or the process in the human eye. So why pretend there's some "natural" or pure way to do it? We're not creating nature or purity; we're making art, or so we hope. We're painting outside the lines! We're running with scissors! Holy cow, this is exciting!
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