MikeMyers Posted August 31, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 31, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been wondering how to get the best images out of my M8.2, and got involved with a relative as to what you can and can't do to an image, so it still remains "real" and not something that's been manipulated. The name Ansel Adams came up, as someone who resisted the "tricks" that can be done to digital images nowadays using tools such as Photoshop. Anyway, if you shoot in DNG format, you've got to use a software program to translate what you "saw" (visualized?) into a finished print or web image. I found the following website while searching for various things - it's a long video featuring how Ansel Adams dealt with these issues, and it explains that only half the work goes into taking the image - the rest of the work is in the darkroom - which for us means computer. PhotoCycle's Rare Glimpse into Ansel Adams Work at Yosemite | FastCompany.TV The M8 lacks some of the adjustments available on an 8x10 view camera, and it can't match the resolution, but it does a pretty good job of providing an excellent (digital) image to work from (assuming you shot in DNG format). Still, I think a lot of Ansel Adams' ideas do apply to photography with an M8. I guess the first step is to thoroughly learn not only the M8, but the software, and to know how to set the exposure properly to not lose out on any detail that the M8 is capable of capturing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Hi MikeMyers, Take a look here Getting the best images from your M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gwelland Posted August 31, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 31, 2009 Great video - there are a lot more episodes over at Silber Studios.tv I think that as far as M8 artistry is concerned, there's no difference between Ansel's view of making a photograph vs just taking a photograph. Ultimately where people disagree is the degree that an original raw capture is modified to produce the final result. I know that for myself I typically draw the line at digital addition. Changing the tonality of what's already present, maybe the colour balance, cropping and to a certain degree subtraction of distracting elements is OK. Others may have a different view. Ultimately if going wild in photoshop dropping in different skies, adding elements, etc etc is your thing then that's fine too - if that's what you like. They're your photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted August 31, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 31, 2009 They're your photos. This debate is almost as old as photography itself, and IMHO this is as good an answer as we'll get. Me, I adjust tones and white balance without a qualm but always to regain the impression of the image as I saw it; sometimes level the horizon or adjust the verticals; crop as little as possible and usually without changing the 3:2 ratio; and some sharpening. No additions and very very seldom any subtractions except of dust spots. Once I removed a lot of leaves from a lawn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl101 Posted August 31, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 31, 2009 One of the Universities near me does courses on how to use a DSLR and Photoshop, but nothing on photographic technique. A TV series I found really inspirational was shown on the BBC last year, The Genius of Photography. Its available on DVD. It was that series that gave me the notion of getting a Leica M8.2 instead of a DSLR. Understanding the methods of photographers like Ansel Adams always helps improve your own photography, no matter how different your own camera is. Karl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 31, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 31, 2009 Mike, I find that processing my M8 raw files in Lightroom is both painless and rewarding. You can do as much or as little as you desire. The default raw conversion is basically very good; however modest adjustments can give most images a beneficial 'lift'. Happily you already realize that your expertise in post processing improves in harmony with your investment of time in learning the software. I never stop learning! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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