I would like to ask a question to this community.
More and more people here are throwing themselves on photomanipulating, and are without any doubt getting marvelous results.
My problem with this is that in many cases they get their original photos from somewhere else, so 80% of the hard bit does not have to be done by them. The question i want to ask is then: what is in the end their merit. And shouldn't they try to photograph, draw, paint or render the original for themselves.
PS i have never and will never use a photograph i didn't take by myself as the central piece of a composition
-!-Quomodo Audiente Sine Praedicante?-!-
<< Prev 1 | 2 Next >>
I totally agree, There are a lot of brilliant photo manips out there but most arent the artists photos. It is indeed good that they put reference to where they got their photos from, but to get photos of that quality seems to be very difficult so i agree that majority of the work is already done for the artist. When I do manips, the main picture is always one I've taken, althought some of the others that I use for overlays or backgrounds I get off the internet simply because I do not have access to these pictures at all. 
...Mengisap zakar saya...
|
 |
of course you can use pictures of the moon, a cathedral or whatsoever to put in the background, thats what i did with night over hyperion and the last priest
-!-Quomodo Audiente Sine Praedicante?-!-
|
 |
I've often thought the same... and if the manip looks like all they did was filter/blur or fog or even just a color I hardly consider that their art and comment on such piece as such.
=============================================
"You spend whatever time you have left dying, or you spend it living. "
=============================================
|
 |
I rarely do manipulations, but when I do I primarily do it as a timesaver or a lazy shortcut, so I understand what you mean by most of the work being already done in terms of the actual image. I think what merits the work of the manipulator is not so much the image, but the instead how much work went into conveying a certain feeling, emotion, or view from a simple stock photo.
For instance, as tirzah said:
Quote: ..if the manip looks like all they did was filter/blur or fog or even just a color I hardly consider that their art and comment on such piece as such.
but if the person changed a angry man stock photo into a angry space demon with a thorn in it's finger and blood spurting in a 3-D view then we know some work, skill, and thought was put into it.
Also not everyone has the talent to photograph subjects well (remember photography is a skill) and not everyone has an eye for it. Just as some artist can't photograph, some photographers can't draw or paint, but a good manipulator can see what would make good compositions and can use others talents to aid them in relaying their vision or idea. Am I making any sense?
I guess I'm saying that everyone needs to start somewhere. I think photomanips are a bit of a crutch for those who aren't able to draw or paint (or photograph too I guess), but who desperately desire to share the way they view things and show things they love. When done in moderation, I don't see the harm.
I have done a few photomanips myself (such as my "Fairy Tale" piece, but I always add my own art and touches in as well. Oh yes, and a link to the actual stock photo artsist. Even if you manipulate the work of a master, a link is simple nettiquette (internet ettiquette) and morally the right thing to do
[ insert your own inspirational mindless quote here ]
Click the link to visit Mernac.com: [ link ]
Post edited on July 18th, 2005 at 9:00pm
|
 |
As a photographer I have to agree, as a art major I have to say that it's a easy type of art to create, which, in the end of a good artist can become great artwork. My problem with it is, could the manipulator give a link to the artist which he took the picture of. It would be a nice way to offer gratitude for the original artist.
it's a tough call for the admins.
BruB
Buy some prints from DPC Prints, you don't see one you like? let me know i'll add it asap. [CLICK HERE]
Buy some prints from DeviantArt, you don't see one you like? let me know i'll add it asap. [CLICK HERE]
|
 |
Agreed... there are definately some manips that I would consider artistic no doubt. But I can't say that taking someone elses great photo and simply adding a hue or dreamy effect filter qualifies for creating art. So with that said, I'm for posting a direct link to the original photo.
=============================================
"You spend whatever time you have left dying, or you spend it living. "
=============================================
|
|
sometimes we just don't have the resouces we sometims need to produce a good photo munipulation..
DEADLY:ANGEL007
|
 |
I feel a link to the original photo would be a valuable reference point (you may find the original intent of the picture is somehow lost in a photomanip, this is not entirely fair to the photographer and should be avoided)
With the right amount of work into a piece, an artist can create or enhance exceptional imagery with their influence.
I'm sure in many cases, you would find a picture being used might be seen in a better light, try to catch the intent and spirit of the original image.
I have some stock photos, but I'm probably more likely to use clips from here or there, as textures. I take pictures also, but have done very little photomanip, but have become very fond of many I have seen here, cheers gang. 
|
 |
I do manipulation myself. And no I don't take my own photographs. But when I do the actual piece, I try to expand far from the original picture. I mostly use faces or full bodies so it is hard, but I strive to do it most of the times. I do believe though that our work is sort of given to us seeing as the photo is a big part of the piece. I think once I get actual photography skills I will stop using stock photos (unless they are inanimate objects).
I hope everyone suffers because with suffering comes gratitude
|
 |
Sin, your work is a great example of taking a stock photo and making it your own. By the time you're done it looks nothing like the stock. For you the photo is your blank canvas and I respect you and several others for the vision you have and the art you create.
=============================================
"You spend whatever time you have left dying, or you spend it living. "
=============================================
|
|
Why thank you Tirzah. I know that you know my works well. So I do regard your comments highly. And ya, usually it is a blank canvas. Hopefully others will do as I do...and hopefully that doesn't come off arrogant.
Thanks again.
I hope everyone suffers because with suffering comes gratitude
|
|
I do agree totally. There are some exceptions when doing digital imaging or photo mipulation upon if you really change the entire spectrum of the image by not using filters or changing hues and dedicating the right amount of time to create an image that fars goes beyond the image at hand that was used. Don't get me wrong though self taken photos and created images are the way to go rather than using those of others.
For that which does not kill me becomes prey.
|
|
Just wanted to say that this is a great topic for discussion. I've really enjoyed reading the views, my point of view has already been touched on - photomanipulation is an art form all of its own, provided the manipulator takes the stock photo and makes it their own.
I understand why people can regard manips as a "cop out" using someone else's picture, however it's an art form that I don't have the creativity, knowledge or skill to do at present. I respect artists who can look at a standard image and turn it into something abstract/ magical/ fantasy and so on, because it's something my feeble brain can't produce itself!!
L
|
 |
Ps, in addition to sinisterracer, here is another AU member who creates manipulation very well:
[ link ]
|
|
lornaclare- i know 'manipulator' is a very good manipulator, she's the reason why i started this thread and is aware of that, she also reacted on this thread in my shoutbox [ link ] 
-!-Quomodo Audiente Sine Praedicante?-!-
|
|
|
|
It's simple and it's free! Sign up now to receive the benefits available
only to users, and be a part of our online exchange of creativity.
To start enter a username.
|
You Must be a Member to Shout
|
|
Browse:
