……someone asked me last week how I edit.. I realised he was after a ‘prescription’ for getting images to look’ like they do…. And of course, there isn’t one. Honestly, it made me stop and think… what am I doing? Why do I make the choices I make…
There are two ways I create impressionistic style images – one is with ICM, and the other is from a sharp image the softness all created in post processing… neither is wrong nor right they are just different… (or better or worse)
And it takes different techniques to get a similar result…(probably obvious).
Second important thing I realised…. There are three key components to how I’m doing and thinking now (and it’s taken me a long time to get to this point…)
- Photoshop technical skills
- Photography technical skills – the literal stuff like shutter speed, iso, white balance etc…
- The art of both – composition, light, shadows, FEELING is a huge thing for me. I don’t care much (or anything) about rules although I’m very aware. With photography when out in the world I’m conscious of light, colour, shadows and what will work compositionally – sometimes there’s no choice. And that’s when getting creative after the event comes into its own.
And composition matters just as much when creating something from scratch i.e. compositing different images or creating a composite from one or two images…
- Yep, sorry there’s a fourth because I then realised – then it’s pulling them all together.
How did I get to where I’m at now, I was asked. (And I learn something every single day that’s new…. never stop growing…)
When I thought about it the answer, I’ve come up with is this….
Strengthen your photoshop skills not for the sake of. being amazing at photoshop but strengthen the skills specific to your NEEDS to create the art you love.
Practice your photography as an art, be aware of rules but flexible with them, they’re more guidelines really (as Capt. Barbossa would say)… but don’t be afraid to break them sometimes if it works for you…
Use your heart and soul to bring the tech, the world and yourself together… and then each day look at your images and feel them… I know you might think I sound a bit ‘out there’ but when we move through the world, we FEEL it – sensorily with our bodies – eyes, smell, taste, touch and hearing and with our hearts. I feel something when I see bonds, connections, disconnect… And I want to bring that to my work…
So, just a thought really to share if you’re growing too and feeling pulled this way and that, not wanting to get too bogged down in Ps but on the other hand…. It’s a balance, Photoshop isn’t about photoshop – it’s about being another piece of the creation process, a tool, a paint brush…the canvas… you’re the artist pulling it all together…
If you’re looking to get started with Photoshop I’ve just added a free ten part tutorial series on youtube to help you a bit.. you’ll find it in the playlist Beginners Photoshop here https://www.youtube.com/@thecreativeartisan/playlists
Until next time,
With quietness in this noisy old world,
Amanda
