Digital Photography: Less Art or More?

So I'm going about my housework, taking a break from processing a few bunches of digital photo sessions.  I start to think about how much I'm "touching" the photos - tweaking color, exposure, cropping.  I do this with almost every photo I take - some don't make the cut and get deleted outright.  

Years ago I processed film at a one hour photo place.  We processed everything from disk film (blasphemy of photography!) to medium format (6x4.5, 6x6, and 6x7).  Thus, we processed a lot of professional photographers stuff - weddings, portraits, whatever.  They didn't do it themselves; they didn't touch it.  We did the negatives and the proofs.  They often had us print photos up to 11x14; some would print their own larger sizes, many more would send out to someone else to print those as well.  

This is not to say that at least some of these people didn't "touch" certain special negatives or prints.  With the studio that I interned under, the wife would touch up negatives, and the husband/photographer would print his own larger prints with archival materials.  (And yes, folks, that's a change from regular photo paper!).  However, once again, most material was sent out to have someone else develop.

So, how is working in digital less art, as some "purists" would argue?  I think they are wrong.  I think that digital photography is as much art as any other form.  

A Trip To the Wedding Place

Today we went with a bride and groom, and her parents and brother, to where they are getting married and will be having the reception.  Now, this place happens to be Wehr Nature Center, so you can imagine the fun we had!  First off, Eric and I had never been there.  BIG mistake - the place is so cool!  Before Bride and Groom arrived we check all the nooks and crannies we were allowed to, and questioned up the staff.  (I found out the bird call I've wondered years about is the chickadee, cool, and they are having a Maple Sugar weekend March 24 + 25).  To top it off they were boiling down some maple sap to turn into maple syrup, and the place smelled WONDERFUL.

Then the Bride and Groom arrived, and the silliness began.  

One of the great things about photographing people, whether weddings or portraits, is that you get to meet a TON of fun people.  Now, I've known this bride and groom awhile - he used to work where I work - but I'm finding how I'd never REALLY known him.  He's MUCH more strange - and a bit like myself! - than I ever knew.  Strangely, she is much more like my husband than I ever knew.  Besides seeing where they'd like to have some of their post-ceremony shots, I learned a bit more about them to - hopefully! - work with them to get those real smiles everyone knows I like so much. 

Also, where I had been warned of Dad, I think I may have found an ally.  So, having met him before the wedding, I know he's a bit like my Grandpa, but younger and more flexible.  (My Grandpa is almost 100, after all).  This Dad is a little silly, but still wants the best for His Little Girl, trying to not let it show TOO much.  Really, it's so cool.  I'm still not sure if I have to worry about him taking the Bride down a path that ISN'T to the altar, but if he DOES do it, he's going to make sure it's a great photo op.

I LOVE my job!

Another Great Weekend

What a busy weekend!  How wonderful!  

This weekend we photographed some work shops for Gypsy Moon Dancers.  I certainly learned some things - the most important to me (a non-dancer), that you can stop your dizziness by going up on your toes and slamming back down two or three times.  (Not recommended for dizziness caused by excess, by the by).  Evidently it does something to the cilia in your ears.  

More fun at the workshops were the skirts!  Swishy, moving, up and down, patterns - it was wonderful!  Gorgeous all around.  Then there were the canes, the scarves, the foot movements - amazing to photograph.  

Today I was able to photograph the wonderful Tiffany in our studios.  She and her husband were full of ideas - and custome changes!  Knives, guns, and heals - oh my!  Got to play with the new lighting - Alienbee, with the beauty dish, and some spot lighting kind of things.  Lots of fun - can you say "honeycomb?"  Whee!  

Most of the shots I've taken this weekend will first be on my Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/DragonsEyeArt if you haven't been there before - but some of the elite will eventually be placed here.  Come back and check it all out!

The Days Are Bright

Things are picking up!  This is Sue, artist and photographer.  Eric, the husband and IT guy (and official Pack Mule), has taken an interest in the business, and what a difference!  He does what I do not have time to do - you may have noticed the new and improved web site, for example - and has been working hard to improve our situation.

We now have an indoor studio!  We are no longer subject to the weather!  It's fabulous.  It's a small space, but hey, it's a start - and before Eric got involved, something I never would have even asked for.  I'm loving Eric's enthusiasm!  

He has also been looking into equipment.  Because of this, we have a wish list of camera lenses, flash guns, and other bits and pieces.  I now have a remote start!  Ok, he's the tech guru, I really never remember what things are called.  Still, I think you get the idea.  Very fun!

Working on a website

Hello!  This is Eric, Sus's IT Guy and self proclaimed Photo Sherpa.  (That means my wife makes me carry all of the bags).  Sorry there is not much here as of yet; I am just figuring this website stuff out.  I will be adding a blog post soon about lighting and the use of reflectors.  Just need more time to finish.

Took the kids out to the the park and gave them each a camea.  They had fun and it was fun to see what they think is interesting. Logan age 7 took these 2 pictures that I thought were really good. This was his first photo ever.

This was just a little later.  This week, I will teach him how to use the zoom.