So many things have changed over the years when it comes to Photography. My mindset before this point was that the art of photography was lost as taking pictures became simpler and easier to do. The things you would do in a darkroom can now be done in camera. No more having to know what order the chemicals needed to go in to develop your film, or photo. No more need for safe lights (or complete darkness in the case of color photography). But the most amazing advancement in the world of photography is the post processing.
Here is a quick before and after look at a photo I recently took on my walk home from work.
I left work a little to late to catch the light on the mural, it was half covered in shadow. In the old days, in order to get the result on the right, you would have to dodge and burn during the enlarging process (waving your hand in certain areas so as not to not allow too much light to affect it) if you would even be able to recover it.
In my case, in the present, I used Lightroom’s ability to paint a mask and adjust the exposure for just the shaded area, bringing it up a bit so you can at least see what was there. Now I did a bit of a shotty job if you ask me, I missed a few places with the masking brush, but to be honest, I made the photo black and white which makes it a little less noticeable
My point is, I think I have to reevaluate my statement. The art of photography has not gone the way of the past. It’s simply shifted. From Knowing how to manually work a camera and knowledge of tricks in a darkroom, to knowing the right tools to get the job done and the skill to make it happen in post processing.
Being an amateur from days of film, and moving into the days of digital photography is quite the experience. I find my self having fun in Lightroom and Photoshop, making things “pop” the way i want them to, to the way I see it.
The art of photography is still ever present, and I for one am glad to be a part of it again.
Other photos from the same walk home:
