hanging out
Since the artification of my orchid image, I’ve been playing with different textures and photos. I’ve found that when an image is made paying special attention to detail, lighting, framing and the like that it isn’t a very good candidate for artification. However, when an image looks only so-so but has a few redeemable qualities to it, its perfect to play with.
I’ve found that I’m in love with this process. I still greatly value a technically perfect image out of camera but I’m realizing more and more that I’d be the kind of person who would be in the photo lab experimenting with messed up quantities of chemicals and any other way I could find to add texture. Originally I felt I was degrading a good image the more post processing I did; now I’m seeing my photography as art rather than just photography. It feels like something has clicked. I felt I’d lost the idea of making art. Now I only wish I had the finances to be able to do this with analogue processes.
But oh, how hilarious it was to realize that a lot of the names of the techniques came from exactly what was done in the lab. When put into a real life scenario, these techniques came to life. They became tangible enough that I could almost imagine myself making these images with my hands! And the styles that mean so much to me, warmth and texture, can be used abundantly.
art
Gentleman and I went to the Butterfly Pavilion again today. It might seem a little strange, but anytime we’re feeling under the weather we head over there. We find the extra moisture an oxygen to be revitalizing and way cheaper than going to an O2 bar. Plus, I get a little camera therapy as well.
Its a fairly small pavilion and in the middle of winter there really isn’t much to see. So, I took some time to look at some of the foliage in the place. When I got home I didn’t find anything really exciting to look at in my stash of images other than I seem to have figured out the trick to crisp saturation. This is good! I’m working with some other modes other than manual these days and I think I’ve figured out when to use what and where/when.
Not too long ago I was ogling Kevin’s photoshop work and begged him to tell me how he did a few things. Being the absolute sweetheart he is, Kevin gave me a few pointers and sent me on my way. It wasn’t until tonight that I decided to sit down and really apply what he taught me. I’m pretty pleased with the results. Now that I can do this I can easily hack it and try other really cool things as they come along.
The best part about this is that I did it all for free. I use Gimp which is completely open source software and I snatched the effects from people who uploaded and gave their permission to use their stuff on the internet.
Thanks again Kevin!
Focus
This image was done on my Diana plus medium format camera and I just love the way its nearly impossible to decide where to focus. The only thing I did to this image after I developed the film was change it to a sepia colour.