Blog: Finding the Extra-Ordinary

Fascinating word, extraordinary.  We all know It as an adjective describing the exceptional, remarkable or a surprising.  In the creative context, extraordinary takes the mundane and makes it artistic.  Creative photography uses techniques such as blurs, colors, focuses, depth of field and motion to create an image built on reality. Many times the creative effort makes the base image almost unidentifiable. With today’s technology, techniques can be worked in the camera and/or in post-production.  Yesterday’s technology used main-frame computing platforms.  Color separations used for commercial printing back used film, dodging and burning and camera-back masking.

In its day the old school techniques were fast, efficient and effective.  Using them by today's standards would be labor intensive, time-consuming, riddled with trial and error, multiple iterations using film and chemistry, and expensive.  Creativity came at a cost.  With digital technology easily available on the desktop level using affordable software provides the photographer with the opportunity to experiment and try different effects to create their visions.  Technology is conquering the challenges of time, scope and cost. In its nest iteration, technology built on Artificial Intelligence promises to take it to another level.

Our examples are the same shot taken on a sunny day into a wetland filled with spring rain.  The original image was shot at f8, 1/40 sec, ISO 100 and a 325mm zoom, shot and processed in RAW and output to JPEG.  JPEG #1 is a realistic representation using my typical post-production techniques to liven up an image.  JPEG #2 has color modified, textures and clarity softened and a lens blur for a pastel effect.  Number 3 is a black and white modified to a green quadtone with shading, color tinting and texture modifications.

As the lines get blurred (pun) between unaltered photography and modified images the question becomes is the photographer capturing reality or creating art.  Capturing reality with photography is great when reality prevails. But working the processes creativity can change the ordinary into the extra-ordinary.  Please enjoy the images.