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04/13/2012 07:00:16 PM · #1 |
I have been doing a lot of looking at photographer's websites who do senior portraits and such, and I am struck by just how many of them seem to drastically change the color scheme in creative ways via curves.
It seems like if you want to be a "good" photographer, then you need to be able to create unnatural color schemes via photoshop and play it off as completely natural to the uneducated public.
For example, here is an article that shows some before/afters
Link
I don't know how I feel about this completely changing of color schemes.
What do you think? Do you prefer natural or creative treatment of the photoshop curves option?
I did some playing around with one of my own images, and I just find it odd how playing around with curves can distort your own eyes. When I just look at the natural edit, everything looks good to me, but then if I have stared at the unnatural creative curves edit for too long, then the natural edit all of a sudden becomes much too drab and dull looking.
 
Message edited by author 2012-04-13 22:02:45. |
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04/13/2012 07:24:07 PM · #2 |
Very interesting--I've never been very good with the curves adjustment.. I guess I should learn how to use it right. It's amazing the difference it makes in the photos in the link. Personally I don't see it as "cheating" at all. One isn't lying to the public. Unless one is only trying to replicate reality as closely as possible, than I see no reason why not to use curves and change color schemes in order to create a piece of artwork that better fits the artist's vision. Just my 2 hay-pennies.
Of your two I prefer the one with a changed color scheme. The warm colors are more fitting for the photo since she is wearing what looks like a sun dress IMO. |
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04/13/2012 08:37:56 PM · #3 |
| If you want to achieve different colors in camera because you find post-processing is "cheating" (which I don't, BTW), you can also try playing with your white balance, and use a warmer temperature. |
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04/13/2012 08:45:22 PM · #4 |
I guess I don't really mean cheating in the way you are taking it. I am having a hard time articulating what I mean.
I mean it more as in...photographers using the effect without a real reason to or without fully understanding why they are adding the effect?
Like..." I want my pictures to stand out....so I am just going to randomly move these color bar thingies. Oh yay, now my picture is awesome and unique"
It seems like so many portrait photographers are currently playing around with curves, but that most of them are doing it just to do it. Does that make sense? |
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04/13/2012 09:41:06 PM · #5 |
You can do incredible things with curves. I love playing with them and see how the mood of the photo changes. I personally don't consider it cheating but an essential skill for a serious photog. During the recent interview  librodo mentioned his creative use of curves. He does that to support his vision. There is nothing wrong with that. |
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04/13/2012 09:49:51 PM · #6 |
I guess I'm not understanding, then. Who wouldn't want their images to be awesome and unique?
But perhaps you are referring to the way I feel about HDR. People are not using it well or judiciously, and often I see the "more is better" approach, which renders the imagery appalling. |
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04/13/2012 10:00:34 PM · #7 |
| The term "natural" colors is pretty meaningless as it can be anything depending on the light conditions. |
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04/13/2012 10:16:25 PM · #8 |
I was referring to "awesome and unique" in a sarcastic fauxtographer way, who thinks their pictures are awesome just because they added an effect, not because they actually are. See youarenotaphotographer.com for examples =p
I think I do see curves like you see HDR in that "People are not using it well or judiciously" That says it perfectly.
I guess at the heart of my frustration is that I see a lot of people doing curves changes but not doing it well, then I see a few people who use it and DO use it well....and I can't quite tell what differentiates the two. I can only tell that some really really work, and others are totally blah, but I do not know why
So perhaps a better questions would be "When do creative curves effects positively impact a photograph and when do they not?" |
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04/13/2012 10:20:00 PM · #9 |
if they randomly move the sliders and get an effect that they like, that's totally legit since they are interpreting the result and making a decision about it. If they have an idea of how they want the image to look before they sit down at the keyboard, and they are able to achieve that look, equally legit.
Would it help if you maybe not call it photography? It's all about creating images, right? The camera gives you the starting image....
ETA: I went to youarenotaphotographer.com...it's a sad person who posts anything to that site.
Message edited by author 2012-04-13 22:32:39.
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04/13/2012 10:31:29 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by KristinaG:
So perhaps a better questions would be "When do creative curves effects positively impact a photograph and when do they not?" |
when the color is too cool, the skin is too white and the people look like vampires. |
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04/13/2012 10:32:14 PM · #11 |
I think the whole starting point to the creative aspect of photography is having a technically good image. You have shown that in your own examples. You have an image that is technically good with good exposure, color, focus, composition, etc. After achieving that technically good photo you used your creativity to produce an image that was pleasing and interesting by giving it a poppy color boost and a contrasty look.
I think the other aspect of what you see is two things. 1.) People trying to get creative before completing their post processing to produce that technically accurate image and 2.) people trying to save their bad images by playing with photoshop. I do it all the time. I am emotionally attached to pictures of my daughter and I try to save my bad images. I don't like to throw them away. I waste a lot of time with that and I am getting better at throwing them away.
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04/14/2012 12:35:22 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by EL-ROI:
2.) people trying to save their bad images by playing with photoshop. |
I got a few ribbons with these ;) Fog is very difficult to shoot and without PP my photos would be totally unusable. I am actually disappointed if the shot does not need much PP! This is a bit of a problem with my new 5D MKII - the images look OK straight from camera (with some basic adjustment as I capture in RAW). Weird. |
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