2004-11-02: This is another obviously photoshopped tree. I'm never sure how to present these, I know there are some people that don't like this kind of thing but all I can say is that this is the final image I saw in my head, and I like this kind of thing :)
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Comments
Simon C
What really counts is your feelings about the photo - if you like it, go with it - don't worry to much about how it was created (as long as you don't misrepresent it of course).
This is one of those shots that, in theory, shouldn't work, but I find myself liking it anyway. The PS work isn't subtle, but that does give it a kind of honesty.
2004-11-02
Lucas
It's cool, original. Like Simon said is up to you, your creation. You musn't do things thinking only in others. Great job.
2004-11-02
miles
Thanks, I don't have any problem creating these, because they really seem 'natural' to me, but I do wonder how people will receive them.
I do a lot of this kind of thing, I guess you could call it impressionistic, and it really is honest in the sense that it's what I saw in my head. You can achieve (very) vaguely similar effects using a selective focus lens.
2004-11-02
miklos
I don't know who wouldn't like "this kind of thing" .. I sure do. Looks awesome.
2004-11-02
bob
I like it, too -- I don't even think about the image being manipulated -- I think about what YOU saw -- and what YOU are trying to convey to me - the viewer -- it's your art -- and I like it a lot -- this one is really great because it has that 3D feel to it that you do so well -- it's a technique you use that I'd be able to identify if I saw it somewhere else -- just as if I were to see an Erwitt shot of a dog -- he has a magical way of capturing dogs... it takes talent to have something which identifies you -- keep at it man!
2004-11-02
john
Yep, surreal... I love vignetting (as you know).
You also have an excellent punch of color here. Really, except for the grass it almost looks like RVP from a MF or view camera.
2004-11-02
Walker
It's difficult to complain that Van Gogh's work wasn't an exact representation of what was actually there. In the same sense, you're free to create what you'd like with an image, whether that's in the darkroom or in Photoshop. It's not about what is there anyway... it's about what you see.
One of the reasons your photoblog is now one of my favorites is your use of this technique. Actually, I'm more partial to the shots where you're simulating the shallow depth of field of a medium format camera. You had me fooled for awhile until you mentioned it in a post. Would you be interested in sharing your technique? (Or maybe you already did and I missed it.) Either way, it inspired me to start shooting more medium format again.
2004-11-02
Houser
Have no shame, bud. This is a great image. I like the comparison to Van Gogh. I also like to point out Monet and his vision. Simply because we interpret and convey things differently, does not mean our images are invalid. Photos are an abstraction of reality. It's how you choose to portray that abstraction that counts.
2004-11-02
Charles Bryant
Hey Miles
I've just finished photographing a book called African Trees and I would be proud to have an image like this in my book (if only it was indigenous to Africa)
2004-11-02
james wagner
It's all about the final image and I think the colors look fantastic! Don't miss a step - nothing to regret here.
2004-11-02
Kathleen
What Bob and Walker said are so valid. It makes no difference what people think about how you present the image. The important thing is to get down what you saw in your heard. That's what we really want from you -- we want that piece of YOU, and we aren't concerned how you get there. It's moot. And silly to think twice about. However you create, create! It's beautiful!
2004-11-12
dan
i may be an idiot, but i cant really tell what was photoshopped.
did you add leaves around the edges?
what was the original
i like the image, it does look a little surreal
nothing wrong with that though
2004-11-22
soulmova
i like the pic, and as long as you do too thats all that should really matter, who cares if people dont like ps'd photos! but yeah really i dont really see what was photo shopped, somethin about those leaves they just stand out more then the rest of the photo.
2004-11-23
photo hints
Photoshop is there for a reason and if you use it well (as you have here) then its all good! It looks natural enough and so striking an image, nice job.
2012-01-06