Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Gordon · 02-07-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil4blue

I would assume that most of these photographers are given an end result (sketch or idea), then they are asked to produce it. So in that vein, they are more graphic artists than photographers.

Though I've just spent a week consuming everything I could find about Richard Avedon. It seemed apparent that many of his more iconic images had a lot of preplanning and sketching beforehand too. My recent series of portraits at my friends house had a lot of pre-visualised shots, lighting ideas, locations and themes too. The images in some cases look almost exactly the way I planned them to be.

Would that make Avedon more of a graphic artist than a photographer ? Does it make me ? Certainly there is a lot of reacting to the situation that goes on, working with the subject and the like, but the basic concepts, or even all the way down to diagrams of poses are often planned out well in advance. Seems quite common in the commerical world too, where a designer would be telling the photographer what to shoot.

evil4blue · 02-07-2007, 11:24 AM

No Gordon, I don't think of Avedon as a graphic artist or you or any photographer that preplans their shots. But YOU are the one with the vision. In most of these ad shots, someone else has the idea, then they hire the right photographer to bring it to reality. It's a little different than the case you outlined. Are they any less a photographer, not in my eyes, but that seems to be the debate.

Can we just pull the word graphic out of the whole conversation. I mean, visualizing and being able to create something out of nothing is something all artists do. I agree that in the end, what does it really matter, if you can create a compelling image, why does anyone really care the steps you took to get it done.

shutterflypro · 02-07-2007, 11:41 AM

I am not trying to place labels here. But on the first link there were a couple of pics that did not even start out as good photography. They were improperly lit hikey. Also there were some that looked like snapshots with the whole idea that the image will be created later.

Now the reason that I brought this up was because I see a lot of photographers looking at this and goig it is photography and then trying to recreate it. While that is all fine and dandy I think the real source of what it is should be identified. If anything it will help others identify what they are really looking at.

All of the people in the links provided above are ARTISTS, hell I wish that I had a droplet of their talent. I just have seen so many threads like this pop up and no one is identifying what is really happening. Hope you understand.

I know with my photography I have reached a point where settings and all of the other stuff no longer matter. I see the image and I know what I have to do to capture it.

So why must 'WE' worry about it? Depending on your skill level you shouldn't, but if you are new to this whole thing you many not know how to look at it and see what is really occuring. That comes with experience. I brought this up to benefit to others.

evil4blue · 02-07-2007, 11:51 AM

Well said Raymond, but I guess I assumed since this was in the Retouching section, most of what you said would be understood. It never hurts to reiterate the point though.

Plus I agree and Dresser saved some pretty sorry photos, but that just shows off her skill.

I'm gonna keep the ball rolling though.

Smallish portfolio under propaganda, also has some more work under journal:
http://www.faustyle.com/propaganda.php

thelegend1472 · 02-07-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutterflypro

I understand that but we need to keep this all in perspective when looking at stuff done by David Hill and such. We must continue to ask ourselves when do we quit being a photographer and turn into graphic artists.

Go look at the "behind the scenes" stuff on Dave Hills website. You calling him a graphic artist is pretty sad. When you're using 8 or so lights on your shots...I'd say he's a pretty damn amazing photographer. He comes up with new and unique ideas for shots and the "effect" that you see in his photos sets him apart from the rest.

thelegend1472 · 07:06 PM

This guy was mentioned in another thread that got buried and no attention. 17 year old from Canada.

http://www.joeyl.com/Joey%20Lawrence%20Photography.html

chano · 02-08-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelegend1472

This guy was mentioned in another thread that got buried and no attention. 17 year old from Canada.

http://www.joeyl.com/Joey%20Lawrence%20Photography.html

good stuff. this whole thread is good.

jbrem · 02-08-2007, 03:23 PM

I'm really in love with Hoelck's and Bartas' work. Simply amazing. Almost like looking at a hybrid between a photograph and an illustration. If it has to have a label, why not label it simply art?

thelegend1472 · 02-08-2007, 04:44 PM

make sure you check out the stick on the inspirational links. Lots of good ones.

picasso · 02-09-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelegend1472

This guy was mentioned in another thread that got buried and no attention. 17 year old from Canada.

http://www.joeyl.com/Joey%20Lawrence%20Photography.html

I actally sent a "Donation" to him and got a tutorial on how he does some of his stuff in Photoshop. What gets me about a lot of theses people is everyone wants to know how they do this amazing work and a large majority is just good lighting, exposure and some simple photoshop techniques. Its knowing what to use where and when that is the key. A lot of Joey's is doging and burning with a few other alterations that are not very complex. He will be someone to watch.

Paul

Gordon · 02-09-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picasso

I actally sent a "Donation" to him and got a tutorial on how he does some of his stuff in Photoshop. What gets me about a lot of theses people is everyone wants to know how they do this amazing work and a large majority is just good lighting, exposure and some simple photoshop techniques. Its knowing what to use where and when that is the key. A lot of Joey's is doging and burning with a few other alterations that are not very complex. He will be someone to watch.

Paul

I'd agree with what you said here. Joey's stuff is cool - I've seen it develop over the last few years. I think something else that is critical is not just having the idea but having the motivation to follow through on it, go that extra few steps that most people can't be bothered with and actually taking the time to perfect the scene - not just settling and hoping you can fix it later.

That and he trespasses a lot ;)