Whitney Lake's photostream  

Photography is to me a 2D expression of ones thoughts, impressions etc regarding any particular subject.

It's an image.

There are no rules that I consider to be important in arriving at that image...a photographer is then an artist that uses a camera as a creative tool. Photoshop is the modern darkroom and a lot better one at that. I make no apologies for using it however I want or to what extent.

Purity with reference to 'developing and printing' ones photographs is subjective...to some it means doing as little as possible to the original exposure, and by so doing, somehow that buys a badge of elitism; to me it means pushing it however far I want to remain faithful to my interpretation...which is what happens anyway as soon as one picks up a camera.

The famous graphic designer Milton Glaser felt that in approaching any particular project, he had to meet it on it's own terms. That means that 'one style' couldn't meet the demands of every projects needs. It ought to be obvious that if one is wanting to create an ambience of for example 'The Pschedelic Sixties', one doesn't use the palette of 'The Old West'...etc. That idea however, can create what appears to be an eclectic style, but not necessarily. That is only the outward form or expression of the 'idea' behind the image, which is unique to the creator...and there are also other design keys like layout and the personality quirks of the designer / illustrator / photographer / artist that are not going to change.

Understanding that, the images that I choose to create are my own, regardless of whether I choose to use heavy processing or just present it ' straight out of the box'....and like any artist I'm almost never satisfied. I am only 'finished' with an image from the standpoint that I'm reasonably satisfied with it at that point in time...tomorrow I may feel differently about it and push it an entirely different direction.

To finish this sermon, I'd like to note that a camera is only a tool. It is only a part of the process of creating a piece of artwork whose final expression is an image, printed or digital. The difference between a snapshot taken by every person who has a camera, and a 'photograph' has far more to do with knowledge, experience, artistic vision and post processing than with the brand or cost of the camera. That being said however, it isn't easy to hammer a nail with a pair of pliers.


***** Thank you to all those who have taken the time to add their personal commentaries and encouragement, they are all read and appreciated! *****

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ALL OF MY PHOTOGRAPHS are ALL RIGHTS RESERVED and are COPYRIGHT © solely to me. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without written permission by myself.