My Echolalia

A little while ago, over on one of the other picture web sites, somebody commented that he doesn't like that obviously most images that win photo competitions are edited. I was surprised that somebody commented like that, but then I remembered past conversations with people who were almost religious about not editing digital images. I could not resist to answer the fellow photographer on the other site. Here's what I wrote:

This is a very sensitive topic for some. But I'll give it a shot anyway: For me, photography is about creating the picture you have in your head, to replicate or capture the memory you have of the moment that it clicked. The original, unedited picture might not be just that, so you enhance it until it captures the essence and mood of what you want to bring across. Therefore, in my mind, editing is not bad, it's necessary!

Think about it that way: All good writers edit their texts once they have written the first draft. Usually, much more time is spent on rewriting, optimizing, generally editing a text, especially a longer or more important one, before it goes to print. No writer will publish something that I would call their "crappy first draft". I, for one, look at my RAW images as crappy first drafts. Then, the editing happens. Sometimes it's not more than some white balance adjustments and maybe some contrast work. But sometimes it can be quite strong crops, edits, color changes, etc. to come up with something that I am happy with and which expresses what I want. No rules!

That's how I see it, and that's what I like about photography. It's obviously my personal view, so you don't have to agree. Happy to discuss this further.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thorsten

I am right in the middle of post processing pictures from the Bangalore part of the Worldwide Photo Walk, which took place last Saturday in more than 200 cities around the globe. The Bangalore walk took a route from MG Road down Residency Road and ended in a coffee shop on Lavelle Road. Almost 50 photographers gathered at 7:30am in the morning to join the show, which was lead by Mahesh Shantaram, a professional photographer from Bangalore, who also offered a free photo workshop for interested people at his home.

During the walk down Residency Road, I have encountered many sites which I've not seen before, even if I have driven down this road numerous times before. Taking your own time to explore a city on foot like that changes your perspective, as well as gives you the opportunity to meet new people and share some time shooting picutures and discussing photography, life, etc.

Special thanks go to Adam, my partner in crime during the walk, who made the morning even more worthwhile. Expect to see some of my images from the photo walk on Ipernity soon.

For more information on the event, go to www.photoshopuser.com/photowalk/