After my previous rant on Video DSLRs and how photographers all over the world are chasing an illusion, I’ve just came across a guest post on the Leica Camera Blog by Pete Meyers, a fine art photographer from Santa Fe, New Mexico. I really enjoy his work, mainly the way he handles light and shadow in his photos. But back to the point… Pete Meyers wrote a rant (Making Images, Not Faking Images) where he goes about HDR photography.
…Photography is not a technical exercise. Many people are drawn to the media because of the whiz-bang nature of cameras, lenses, software and printers, but a great photograph is about feeling. It is about the feeling that the photographer had through the lens at the time the image was made and subtly outlined to the viewer in the final print. It is not about shock. It is not about X-ray vision. It is not about technical trickery and technique that draw attention to the photographer, not to the photographic subject.…
I share his ideas. The democratisation of photography (The masses appeal) is all about technology and selling cameras to John Does. It has nothing (or very little) to do with the production of fine art photography. Many photographers just apply the magic button of some PS/LR action and there they go…
In the sense of the word Amateur (from the latin amatorem, or lover), amateur photographers need to understand that its not enough to press a button to make a great photo. It’s not just taking a snapshot and thinking I’ll process this latter in PS. Professional / Amateur photography is HARD WORK and no gimmick will cut steps in the process.