[Leica] Christmas Tree Adjustments

[philippe.orlent at pandora.be (Philippe Orlent)]

Ted,
Although I very often agree with what you write, I don't completely go with
what you say about PS.
True, it's always better to start with a magnificent photo, but implying
that one that is not cannot be saved, is one bridge too far IMHO.
I've seen miracles happening with PS in the hands of gifted image editors.
True, you can very often feel that a certain image has undergone the PS
treatment, and a lot of digital photography looks easily too harsh, but I
consider this to be a result of "putting tool in the wrong hands".
For me, PS has become an essential part of contemporary photography and a
tool that one uses to get as near to the image you imagined when shooting it
as possible.
Admiringly,
Philippe
---
> From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca>
> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 06:58:27 -0800
> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Christmas Tree Adjustments
> 
> Richard showed and said:
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Christmas Tree Adjustments
> 
> 
>> I was starting to explore one route that made the balls look a bit like a
>> flight of hot air balloons, but had to rush to work and didn't get back to
>> it.   The balls unfortunately all looked lost in the tangle of branches in
>> the pictures I did take (here's an example:
>> <http://gallery.leica-users.org/Christmas-and-First-Snow/PC140011>) so I
>> didn't post any of them.<<<<<<<<<
> 
> Hi Richard,
> I would be hard pressed to shoot this scene while it's a sunny day as
> we see in the above picture. Unless I could  get right in close with the 90
> or any other lens and work tighter and wider aperture. It's such a jumble 
> of
> branches and tree limbs it's almost a disaster of confusion and 
> distraction!
> 
> Sure there are some "coloured balls" hanging in the tree, so?
> 
> It works as an "establishing shot" then one goes from there to make the
> "neat photos." That's when you shoot until your heart and imagination is
> content with what you've done. One thing I'm learning with digital is that
> sometimes shooting and looking breaks the "picture taking concentration"
> and mood due to stopping and looking at the screen.
> 
> I've switched to shooting film style, just shoot away and once in a while I
> have a peek to see what it looks like. ( usually out of fascination that I
> can do it!) ;-) However, even that breaks a shoot concentration when you're
> pedal to the metal on a roll of things happening.
> 
> It was the overcast  light and snow of the first day when the magic was
> there. As I said earlier it was a location to have worked too death for
> every possible angle. And even though you were working with a Digilux there
> were many that could've been taken if you had the time and no concern for
> land ownership.
> 
> However, I do understand your reluctance to go on the property these days 
> as
> heaven knows how the owner might have re-acted to your intrusion on his
> "space?" :-( A snow terrorist or stealing his balls!
> 
> And where I see others trying to "make it better with PS?" Sorry folks save
> your time! And as much as your efforts are much appreciated, it truly is
> like  trying to make "a diamond mine out of a gravel pit!"
> 
> Actually what you have here is what I've heard so often about
> Photoshop.... "It's a wonderful tool in making a magical photo even
> better"........ when it's there in the first place!
> However, it can't make a so-so picture a silk purse if it's not there
> in the first place. Or words to that effect.
> 
> This is such a wonderful location under the right conditions as we saw
> in the first exposures, it cries out to have another go at it on the first
> sign of overcast and snow falling. I'd be back there in a heart beat.
> 
>>>> "There's always another angle to shoot from."  <<<<
> 
> Always mon ami, always. :-)
> 
> If you work in the following fashion it does wonders...
> 
> "Shoot the obvious! Then go from there at every angle that twitches
> your imaginations heart!"
> 
> Sorry a bit long, but I trust some helpful.
> ted
> 
> 
> 
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