–––
Is That Photo Real?
That's a question someone left in the comments of one of my images. I haven't answered yet. I couldn't think of the "short version".
Let's leave off with the pithy comeback that first danced across my mind, "Do you mean, as opposed to a figment of your imagination?"
Nah … let's not go there.
How about, "Do you mean, did I process it myself on my own computer, as opposed to letting the computer in the camera process it?" Since that's what we are talking about here. Because, you know, what comes straight out of a camera isn't any more "real" than what an artist envisions for a capture, after the fact.
Truth is tendency. Reality is relative.
While the mechanics of the filters we humans use to perceive the "reality" around us vary from those which a camera uses, we still have filters in place that modify the "factual" information we receive from our environment. Those filters, eyesight, hearing, smell, etc., create an infinite variety of realities, person to person. A man with acute hearing might find living among the din of the inner city extremely irritating and unhealthful. That's his reality relative to one of his filters and the post-processing of that information in his brain.
The filters that exist within cameras to capture and record information also vary greatly from camera to camera, so that the "realities" that each produces come with myriad variabilities. As well, in-camera filtering and processing is evolving, so that the "reality" captured and reproduced tomorrow won't necessarily be the same as yesterday's.
So, here is my reality: based on physical and economic reasons, I shoot with a very small camera. The noise it gives me, because of its tiny sensor, is not the "reality" I received while shooting, and I shouldn't be bound within its limitations to fully express the mood I found when I was at the location.
Case in point, here is the image which was questioned: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103698889037599783920/posts/YV6keAuRq4p. That was the sunset I experienced while standing on a rooftop during a party downtown. Is it straight out of the camera? No. The final result is a stitch of three images in panorama, denoised, and the colors brought up to the reality that I experienced while gaping at an amazing phenomenon of our world, the awe I felt at its splendor and the good fortune I acknowledged to be there at that moment.
Is this photo real?
If you've slogged through this tome to get this far, that's probably the question you came to have answered.
I've often said, if you want reality, you can walk out the door. Your reality is all around you, and you don't need my perception of it to make it real to you. As well, as an artist, I enjoy envisioning what could be, and sharing that vision with everyone.
Does the Potomac meander past the foot of the Lincoln Memorial? Well, maybe … if it overflowed during a month long deluge onto the car-clogged parkway that actually exists there. However, "car-clogged parkway" wasn't consistent with the mood that I had while viewing this amazing light descending upon the memorial. My camera didn't "see" my mood either. Stupid camera.
So, I created a new reality. One that shows you what I felt instead. Because I wasn't focused on the cars zipping past … I was only aware of being near the river, seeing this structure … and this light … this dazzling, elegant, exquisite light.
And that's the reality I wanted to show you.
………….
–––––
Love posting to themes? You might enjoy these great themes with excellent curators!
Themes and hashtags are a valuable indexing method, which help others find relevant posts via clickable links.
#ThirstyThursdayPics with thanks to Giuseppe Basile & Mark Esguerra
#TravelThursday with thanks to Laura Mitchum
#BreakfastClub with huge thanks to Gemma Costa and Breakfast Club
10000 PHOTOGRAPHERS / #10000photographersaroundtheworld with thanks to Robert SKREINER
#pixelworld with thanks to Alberto Carreras and PixelWorld
#promotephotography with thanks to Nikola Nikolski and Promote Photography
#TheMagicOfLight The Magic of Light with thanks to Ray Bilcliff
#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Carra Riley paul t beard David Heath Williams Bill Wood Jim Warthman Ben T jeff beddow Tom Hierl Vishal Kumar Michael Blyde Carolyn Lim Steve Gould Jay Gould and Landscape Photography
#hqsplandscape with thanks to Rodolfo Seide Johnny Minor Terrie Gray Nicolai Neijhoft Lani Banadera and HQSP Landscape
#ColorMeWeekly ColorMe Weekly with thanks to Rosie Nixon
#rgwoodpost #canonphotography #canonphotographer #digitalphotography #amazing #naturephotography NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY Nature Photography #color #colors #inspiration #fineart #fineartpls #landscapeart #architecture #architexture #architecturephotography #DC #urbandesign #sunsetphotography #mirrorsandreflections #monuments #creativephotos
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Please feel free to ask me, if you would like any of my images available for print at robingriggswood.com
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Is That Photo Real?
That's a question someone left in the comments of one of my images. I haven't answered yet. I couldn't think of the "short version".
Let's leave off with the pithy comeback that first danced across my mind, "Do you mean, as opposed to a figment of your imagination?"
Nah … let's not go there.
How about, "Do you mean, did I process it myself on my own computer, as opposed to letting the computer in the camera process it?" Since that's what we are talking about here. Because, you know, what comes straight out of a camera isn't any more "real" than what an artist envisions for a capture, after the fact.
Truth is tendency. Reality is relative.
While the mechanics of the filters we humans use to perceive the "reality" around us vary from those which a camera uses, we still have filters in place that modify the "factual" information we receive from our environment. Those filters, eyesight, hearing, smell, etc., create an infinite variety of realities, person to person. A man with acute hearing might find living among the din of the inner city extremely irritating and unhealthful. That's his reality relative to one of his filters and the post-processing of that information in his brain.
The filters that exist within cameras to capture and record information also vary greatly from camera to camera, so that the "realities" that each produces come with myriad variabilities. As well, in-camera filtering and processing is evolving, so that the "reality" captured and reproduced tomorrow won't necessarily be the same as yesterday's.
So, here is my reality: based on physical and economic reasons, I shoot with a very small camera. The noise it gives me, because of its tiny sensor, is not the "reality" I received while shooting, and I shouldn't be bound within its limitations to fully express the mood I found when I was at the location.
Case in point, here is the image which was questioned: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103698889037599783920/posts/YV6keAuRq4p. That was the sunset I experienced while standing on a rooftop during a party downtown. Is it straight out of the camera? No. The final result is a stitch of three images in panorama, denoised, and the colors brought up to the reality that I experienced while gaping at an amazing phenomenon of our world, the awe I felt at its splendor and the good fortune I acknowledged to be there at that moment.
Is this photo real?
If you've slogged through this tome to get this far, that's probably the question you came to have answered.
I've often said, if you want reality, you can walk out the door. Your reality is all around you, and you don't need my perception of it to make it real to you. As well, as an artist, I enjoy envisioning what could be, and sharing that vision with everyone.
Does the Potomac meander past the foot of the Lincoln Memorial? Well, maybe … if it overflowed during a month long deluge onto the car-clogged parkway that actually exists there. However, "car-clogged parkway" wasn't consistent with the mood that I had while viewing this amazing light descending upon the memorial. My camera didn't "see" my mood either. Stupid camera.
So, I created a new reality. One that shows you what I felt instead. Because I wasn't focused on the cars zipping past … I was only aware of being near the river, seeing this structure … and this light … this dazzling, elegant, exquisite light.
And that's the reality I wanted to show you.
………….
–––––
Love posting to themes? You might enjoy these great themes with excellent curators!
Themes and hashtags are a valuable indexing method, which help others find relevant posts via clickable links.
#ThirstyThursdayPics with thanks to Giuseppe Basile & Mark Esguerra
#TravelThursday with thanks to Laura Mitchum
#BreakfastClub with huge thanks to Gemma Costa and Breakfast Club
10000 PHOTOGRAPHERS / #10000photographersaroundtheworld with thanks to Robert SKREINER
#pixelworld with thanks to Alberto Carreras and PixelWorld
#promotephotography with thanks to Nikola Nikolski and Promote Photography
#TheMagicOfLight The Magic of Light with thanks to Ray Bilcliff
#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Carra Riley paul t beard David Heath Williams Bill Wood Jim Warthman Ben T jeff beddow Tom Hierl Vishal Kumar Michael Blyde Carolyn Lim Steve Gould Jay Gould and Landscape Photography
#hqsplandscape with thanks to Rodolfo Seide Johnny Minor Terrie Gray Nicolai Neijhoft Lani Banadera and HQSP Landscape
#ColorMeWeekly ColorMe Weekly with thanks to Rosie Nixon
#rgwoodpost #canonphotography #canonphotographer #digitalphotography #amazing #naturephotography NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY Nature Photography #color #colors #inspiration #fineart #fineartpls #landscapeart #architecture #architexture #architecturephotography #DC #urbandesign #sunsetphotography #mirrorsandreflections #monuments #creativephotos
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Please feel free to ask me, if you would like any of my images available for print at robingriggswood.com
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the view looks nice to have a romantic evening!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewell said!
ReplyDeletegreat shot , wonderful reflection, thanks for sharing with Breakfast Club
ReplyDeleteHeheh, great read and lovely image! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat read!
ReplyDeleteRobin Griggs Wood You really should not have to tell people HOW you did it! Its like having to explain every-time.... I love your creativity!
ReplyDeleteya it wud be 1 to remember!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeletegreat imagery and vision
ReplyDelete- and words :-)
Beautiful image! Good morning to you Robin. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post Robin Griggs Wood !! I happen to love your reality! It always makes me drool... :)
ReplyDeleteArtistic license is hard to explain to non-artists.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done, Robin.
Beautiful processing and I love seeing what your imagination can create :) Robin Griggs Wood
ReplyDeleteThanks too for sharing with #colormeweekly
Your photography is art. It's beautiful, and your explanation is a great way to get us all thinking.
ReplyDeleteI just love your writing. And your work of course but your words always suck me in :)
ReplyDeleteregina grant -- :o)
ReplyDeleteScott Norris -- thanks!
Gemma Costa -- thank you, dear!
Brad Buckmaster -- thank you, my friend!
Jason Jakober -- thanks, my friend!
ReplyDeleteSheila B. DuBois -- thank you, dear!
Bill Kemp -- I said as much in my post.
Michael A Koontz -- thank you ... :o)
Kurt Harvey -- thank you, my friend ... and good morning to you! (Well, I hope it's still morning for you ... I don't know where you are exactly ... ;oD)
ReplyDeleteDawn Carl -- thank you so much, dear!
Richard Harlos -- oh, I love that ... ;oD ... and thank you for the kind words, my friend!
Martin Heller -- well said ... and thank you for the kind words as well.
ReplyDeleteRosie Nixon -- thank you so much, dear!
Terrie Gray -- that's kind of you to say ... thank you ... :o)
AMAZING. These colors
ReplyDeleteHe he, I usually answer questions like that with things like "I sure hope so because I know I was there. That or it was one mean acid trip". He he he. Great shot friend! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMaki Silberberg -- oh, thank you for saying that. At least I'm genuine in my ingenuousness ... ;oD (I have no idea what I just said there ... hahaha! Maybe "authentic in my inauthenticity"?) ... hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteTamara Pruessner -- hahaha! You betcha! ... and I wear my FAKER badge with pride ... ;oD. Thank you, dear!
Alexander Nolting -- thank you
ReplyDeleteMark Esguerra -- hahaha! ... that's a good one!
Thank you, my friend! Have a great weekend ahead .... :o)
Well said, Robin ... difference between journalism photography and art photography. Like both images & the Potomac looks a heck of a lot better than a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteMike Culver -- thank you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteBill Kemp -- oh, I was aware there would be lots of folks that knew what was actually at that location. ... ;o). Thank you for reading and adding your thoughts ... :o)
Thanks for sharing your mood. I hope you dont mind me recycling some of your reality argument in court after my next speeding ticket ;)
ReplyDeletea great truth you have put into words, love the image!
ReplyDeleteWait, what's reality? ;-)
ReplyDeleteDaryoosh M -- I wish my words could help. Sadly, courts seem to have their own prevailing "reality" ... ;o7
ReplyDeleteThe honest feelings of what you envision is the reason I enjoy what you share each day. The silly part of me wondered if a rubber ducky could float on by in this image :)
ReplyDeleteDiana Boyd -- thank you, dear!
ReplyDeleteAnna Lowry -- ;oD ... (no one said you had to, dear .. ;o))
Robin Griggs Wood I'm in the SF Bay Area actually :)
ReplyDeleteGreat picture and I love the article too . Time and again every photographer has to face these questions and everybody seems to give a look like "uhhh....." but they are the same people who says "I like B&W photographs"....do they not realize the world does not come in B&W, isn't that the biggest manipulation.
ReplyDeleteNice work.
ReplyDeletePhotos are a reduction from a very specific point of view and specific point of interest. They reduce 4D (space and time) to 2D (if printed), or just to pixel values noted in a file and reproduced in an application.
The camera follows our settings, and all settings produce a unique reproduction of these settings.
Any development on the material (needed or not) will alter again.
To even think about the absolute term of "reality" -- when looking at any picture -- shows how little the medium is understood in the first place.
LOL Robin Griggs Wood !! See? love your play on words.
ReplyDeleteSplendide!
ReplyDeleteCraig Szymanski -- ah dang, I forgot to add the ducky!!! ... ;oD (He's there, in my mind now, and irretrievable ... ;o)) Thank you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteKurt Harvey -- oh, we're practically neighbors then!! ... ;oD. (Well, I'm a "wee bit" south ... but we're "time neighbors" ... ;o))
One can get existential about real or not real or simply accept that any image is real for what it is. The sky/sunset picture would look just like that to many people and not like it at all to many others.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many times Canaletto had to answer that question about his paintings? :)
Ratul Maiti -- good point! ... and thank you ... :o)
ReplyDeleteSassi Sassmannshausen -- always such wise words from you. Thank you for adding your ideas.
Maki Silberberg -- ;oD ... thanks, dear!
ReplyDeleteEnzo Ros -- thank you!
Richard Ball -- dude, you made me go and look up Canaletto ... ;oD. Thanks for adding your thoughts ... :o)
ReplyDeleteWell, I do know really good when I see it ! Of coarse that's just my own perception :)
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteWell Said Robin Griggs Wood ; I not knowing much about photography . Wouldn't Question your ability of your passion . Seeing you've made it quite obvious . What you capture and share is Real !!!! Which BTW this photo is Beautiful as well ! : )
ReplyDeleteChris Bagley -- and I'm not about to argue with anyone's reality! ... ;oD. Thank you, my friend ... ;o)
ReplyDeleteJen Baptist -- thank you, dear!
nicole leary -- aw, thank you so much for saying that, dear!
Can I just say I love you??? And not in a weirdo kind of way. ;) In a BAM! You're-an-amazing-tell-it-how-it-is, you rock! kind of way. I wish I had time to say more because I have some thoughts, but I don't at the moment. :( Regardless, this is an amazing reality you have here!!! :D
ReplyDeleteRobin Griggs Wood I love your reply to "Is this photo real? " What a thought provoking response. I loved it. The photographer's eye is it, but the camera does not always see what we saw or felt at that moment. Not to mention that the same scene is never the same-the light, time of day, weather, where one is standing. Wow!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Robin Griggs Wood :) For real!
ReplyDeleteChristin McLeod -- sure you can say that ... I love you, too, dear! ... :o). I am often moved by the words you write (well ... er ... except when they stick there in your head ... then I just wait with drooling anticipation ... ;oD) Thank you and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteLori Crockett -- thank you and for your great comment!
ReplyDeleteJohan Peijnenburg -- hahaha! ... thank you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat read! Your reality looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLincoln memorial :)
ReplyDeleteYour words are as beautiful as this picture,as the light you want to show. Thank you now I have my answer. So it is a figment of your imagination..Imagination is sometimes, most times better than reality..
ReplyDeleteShelly Gunderson -- thank you, dear!
ReplyDeleteSatu-Marja Salmi -- thank you somuch!
hegde supriya -- what a great comment ... wise words! And thank you, as well ... :o)
Probably one of the best photography posts so far on G+. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesoooo gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful real image. Thank you for sharing it with The Magic of Light
ReplyDeleteRichard Ball - I had to look up Canaletto as well :)
ReplyDeleteamazing shot
ReplyDeleteAgreed with all you said... someone said everything is relative, so are the perceptions ;)
ReplyDeleteLa percibo realmente verdadero con iluminación, y esplendor muy profesional, que llama la atención visualmente. Atractiva, grandiosa. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing, and so eloquently stated. You're an artist. I wouldn't expect you to deliver "reality" - whatever that even means. His question to you should have been, "Robin, when can I sign up for your next mentorship so that I can become an artist like you?" Oh, and by the way, Robin Griggs Wood I wouldn't mind knowing the answer to that question either O:-) [cough, cough. wink, wink.] ;-)
ReplyDeleteEach thing we perceive exists only through the filter of the mind brain interface, so your interpretation of reality is as valid as any, and more beautiful than most!
ReplyDeleteYour image is gorgeous!! I'm glad you did away with the highway!! It wouldn't be in my reality either!! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing with the #LandscapePhotography theme!! It's my pleasure to share this to the Landscape Photography theme page!!
ReplyDeleteRon Bearry -- thank you for saying that ... I'm glad you liked it ... :o)
ReplyDeleteRay Bilcliff -- thank you so much, my friend!
Patricia dos Santos Paton -- thank you!
Craig Szymanski -- ;o))
Vishal Rastogi -- thank you
ReplyDeletePaul Paradis -- merci ... :o)
Joseph Vedikunnel -- thank you for your comment ... :o)
Vilma Rodriguez -- ¡gracias!
ReplyDeleteSimos Xenakis -- Thank you for the great comment, my friend! And, I am so very sorry that I am delayed on my next mentorship ... between catching up on life duties from the large group last time and a few minor difficulties, I've not quite come up for air yet. I've just made a circle for folks that I will want to notify for the next one and put you in it .. :o)
Blaze O'Rama -- thank you for the kind comment!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Tompkins -- it's so nice to have your wonderful energy around, dear ... and thank you!
WOW..whatever it is, it is great Robin Griggs Wood
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting me into that circle, Robin... and no worries! Apologize to no one! Take your time recovering and rejuvenating. It's only right for us if it's right for you :-)
ReplyDeleteStunning light and capture Robin Griggs Wood
ReplyDeleteNice shot
ReplyDeleteThat is why you are an artist!!
ReplyDeleteLike I said earlier, even your paintings are so close to a real life scene ! We enjoy your art whether its a photo, a painting or a mixture of both. We are only grateful that we get to enjoy so much beauty on an everyday basis. Along with the wonderful words from you, these inspires us, encourages us and makes us to stop and think about our own lives for a while and all this results in us becoming a little better with each of your posts.
ReplyDelete漂亮
ReplyDeletegreat post Robin Griggs Wood - I have begun to approach photography much like I do going to the movies, I go to be entertained and be taken away from the place I live albeit for just a short time. I don't think about things like "he wouldn't be able to do that" or seeing a place I recognize thinking "that's not what is on the other side of that bridge". Viewing or creating photos for me is very much the same thing - unless they are being presented as journalistic, I just try to enjoy them and not question.
ReplyDeleteOne additional thing that could be added about reality is that I could shoot something and not manipulate colors etc. and still not make it look real - all I need to do is change my point of view, or even shutter speed and the image could look completely different than what is real.
beautiful photo and agree with what you and Christopher Germano said.
ReplyDeleteAwak intan fhm saya ok ni dilah yang com ??
ReplyDeleteRobin Griggs Wood Awesome shot!!!
ReplyDeleteWoooowwww!!!! 😱😱😱😱
ReplyDeleteدرود برهمه خوبااااااا
ReplyDeletehttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/heqhlT_JE-VRA23aN6iDtIQRefYGKi3wrkpx9v4n3rJQBRfPXFtfIoi6BwV6E6rNYox4CnvJ
Wii you be my photographer. ?
ReplyDelete