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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> blown highlights rant
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03/31/2011 01:12:50 PM · #1
I HATE how people are always on the "watch out for blown highlights" tip.

Some pictures look outstanding with blown highlights. Some styles of photography need blown highlights to work (like very high contrast).

Always following the rules is BORING.

Not every picture needs to be "perfectly" exposed -- meaning all the tones are perfect. Nor is that always possible.

UFC.com -- look at the pictures of the fighters. Gasp! Blown highlights. Because they're going for a certain high contrast look.

If you want every picture to look like a boring school portrait, then make everything perfect. If you want to be an artist...fuck the rules.
03/31/2011 01:24:16 PM · #2
The rules are in debate. As Captain Barbossa said " the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules."

My fave is the commenter who says "You blew the highlights, and it's kind of dim, could use some brightening." In combination, Brilliant!
03/31/2011 01:27:07 PM · #3
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

The rules are in debate. As Captain Barbossa said " the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules."

My fave is the commenter who says "You blew the highlights, and it's kind of dim, could use some brightening." In combination, Brilliant!


It's acceptable to blow out highlights. So there's no debate.
03/31/2011 01:28:32 PM · #4
Sometimes there is a fine line between blown highlights and a creative shot. Sometimes it is actually a flaw that affects the scene, other times it has no real effect and the shot works just fine. It's in the eye of the beholder. If you disagree, then just file those comments under the category of "personal preferences".
03/31/2011 01:30:03 PM · #5
I think the UFC folks have blown more than just highlights.
03/31/2011 01:30:39 PM · #6
Ahh...blown highlights!!

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=937425

Message edited by author 2011-03-31 13:30:48.
03/31/2011 01:39:23 PM · #7
Originally posted by kgeary:

Ahh...blown highlights!!

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=937425


DNMC — who in their right mind would call this an example of "blown highlights"? Those are specular reflections, of course they're blown... :-)

Now, there's this guy named KGeary who shot some martial-arts students in white garments, you should check HIM out. Dude knows how to blow his highlights :-)

R.

Message edited by author 2011-03-31 13:41:22.
03/31/2011 01:45:12 PM · #8
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

..Those are specular reflections, of course they're blown... :-)


Ah, now you're just specularating! ;-)
03/31/2011 01:48:10 PM · #9
Nothing should ever be blown. Don't you read the Old Testament?
03/31/2011 01:48:17 PM · #10
Since I've been following your other thread. I'll say that this post is in very poor taste. Secondly if you don't want opinions about your photos don't ask for them if you can't take someone's opinion of them.

Editing to add I think you overly clipped important information on the faces of a few of those kids. There is a difference between a specular highlight from a light, and losing all information in an important part of the subject.

Message edited by author 2011-03-31 13:52:40.
03/31/2011 01:51:35 PM · #11
Originally posted by MattO:

...I'll say that this post is in very poor taste...


Actually, I'm finding it quite flavorful... although the gray color is a bit unappetizing.
03/31/2011 02:24:37 PM · #12
Ehhh... all I can say is that I did things back in the early 90's that I'm not particularly proud of.
03/31/2011 02:36:51 PM · #13
Blown highlight
Has this been done in a challenge?

Blow the highlight in a way that is efficient
03/31/2011 02:36:58 PM · #14
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Sometimes there is a fine line between blown highlights and a creative shot. Sometimes it is actually a flaw that affects the scene ...

I have a recent one of those ...
03/31/2011 02:40:31 PM · #15
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by kgeary:

Ahh...blown highlights!!

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=937425


DNMC — who in their right mind would call this an example of "blown highlights"? Those are specular reflections, of course they're blown... :-)

Now, there's this guy named KGeary who shot some martial-arts students in white garments, you should check HIM out. Dude knows how to blow his highlights :-)

R.


They're blown on purpose. That's the point.

I've taken many martial arts photos WITHOUT blown highlights.

The point of the rant isn't to defend what someone said about my most recent pictures, it's to defend blown highlights in general. That you can make them work to get a certain effect.

Message edited by author 2011-03-31 14:41:23.
03/31/2011 02:41:07 PM · #16
It's a safety issue. Blown highlights can be extremely dangerous.
03/31/2011 02:44:22 PM · #17
Originally posted by kgeary:

...fuck the rules.

w00t !
03/31/2011 02:46:40 PM · #18
Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by kgeary:

...fuck the rules.

w00t !

03/31/2011 02:47:47 PM · #19
Case in point.

If in lightroom, I lower the exposure to properly expose the face as you would "technically" want it to look, the photograph no longer achieves the concept or effect that I originally intended.

So why would "proper" exposure be better if it doesn't achieve the right look?
03/31/2011 02:51:38 PM · #20
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by kgeary:

Ahh...blown highlights!!

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=937425


DNMC — who in their right mind would call this an example of "blown highlights"? Those are specular reflections, of course they're blown... :-)

Now, there's this guy named KGeary who shot some martial-arts students in white garments, you should check HIM out. Dude knows how to blow his highlights :-)

R.


So if the highlight is small, it's ok? Ever seen a blown out window that looked great for the shot? I have.
03/31/2011 02:54:40 PM · #21
The battery was a bad example.

Here you go:

//www.scarlettlillian.com/#/weddings-engaged/

She obviously really sucks. Lots of blown highlights.
03/31/2011 02:56:48 PM · #22
*starting a "parse your links" rant...*
03/31/2011 02:58:48 PM · #23
Originally posted by kgeary:

The battery was a bad example.

Here you go:

//www.scarlettlillian.com/#/weddings-engaged/

She obviously really sucks. Lots of blown highlights.


parsed it for ya
03/31/2011 02:59:11 PM · #24
This picture is garbage too. Nobody else liked it either. Check the comments.

//www.flickr.com/photos/leightphotography/3553757251/

Message edited by author 2011-03-31 15:00:21.
03/31/2011 02:59:49 PM · #25
Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by kgeary:

The battery was a bad example.

Here you go:

//www.scarlettlillian.com/#/weddings-engaged/

She obviously really sucks. Lots of blown highlights.


parsed it for ya


Thanks...it's 2011, I'm used to forums parsing links automatically.
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