What An Image Should Be


Practical Philosophies




The Photography Blog

Photographic Field Guides
Careers and Ideas
Good Gear
Inspiring Journeys


“Henningsvaer”
February 2018

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
1/125th @ f/8.0
ISO 320
Canon EOS 5DS R

34


What An Image Should Be
How do you know what processing an image needs? I get asked this a lot. “What should I do to make this image better”. The problem is, that depends on what constitutes your idea of better! The answer lies in you, not the pixels.



The Photography Blog




We have a tendency to look into the frame for guidance on what direction to process the RAW file. As though the answers lie within the very pixels you are seeking to alter. It sounds preposterous when laid out in this manner. The direction for your processing must come from outside the frame, and inside your own creative space.

That’s what makes it hard. It’s not the technical know-how to pull sliders and tinker with contrast. It’s not how well you mastered Photoshop or if you’ve done a Capture One course. It has more to do with your influences and inspirations than anything that exists inside the RAW file.

Recently I’ve been running an online course to teach people the joys of making an eBook. It’s as much about curation as presentation, and we simply use the eBook format as a proxy for something more elaborate such as a gallery space. The same rules apply, as we explore consistency and connection between a group of diverse images. Not only is the selection of images critical for a strong collection, but the application of processing is critical too. Careful use of treatments on the RAW files can bring images together and highlight that connections. At the very least, we use processing treatments to remove conflict of tones and hues between images that sit side by side.

The use of an image inside a curated set changes the way you process the image. I do the same when sending images to a publisher, making sure to tailor the treatment to suit that publication and making sure that across the set there is a level of consistency to the style of processing so they sit nicely together on the pages. Knowing the final destination for an image is important to knowing how to process that image.

And that is something external. It’s more inside your own mind than anything inside the RAW file.

This is the great joy of shooting RAW to me. That file has immense potential and can be taken in any number of directions. It is both a single image and yet thousands of images at the same time. It’s future is limited only by what you decide, and its potential will be realised only by what clicks of the mouse you apply.

This puts all the pressure back on you. Sorry.

From here on it’s a dance between your vision and your abilities. I’ve written many times before about the “Image Gap” that exists between where we want our photography to be and where our skills allow, and this is just one more of those moments. You can flip it around though, and think of your growing potential for expression instead. Each time you learn a new skill when processing in Capture One or Lightroom, you now have a new direction to take your existing images. You also have a new potential when heading out to capture new images too.

Just remember, the inspiration must come from you. Not the image. You are the one who decides what that image should be.


Please Share Your Thoughts



This feature was last updated on Tuesday 24th November 2020

Copyright: All images and words on this web site are copyrighted and may not be used without permission.
Article published and written by
#1276


Related Links
  Global  Practical Philosophies  processing  raw files  capture one  ebooks

The art of photography is not about the camera, it's about what you do with it. Change your attitude to change your photography.

Transforming Your Photography

We're talking about how photography can transform a moment, transform the subject, and even transform ourselves. With a little inspiration from Bhutan and the Himalayas we walk through a range of ideas you can focus on to move your photography forward.



The Part For The Angels

Leaving room in your photography for the imperfections and the flaws is a nice thing to do. When we strive for a perfect image, we leave little room for the magic to happen.



What Is A Photographer

When so much of our lives exist in the digital landscape, what does it mean to be a photographer these days and does it matter if your work is never finding its way into a physically printed form?



Slow It Down

Walking with a macro is nice, but only works if you adjust your pace to suit the task. Macro photography is process of exploration. Slow it down. Slow. It. Down.



4K for Minimalists

How much gear do you really need to get started with quality 4K video production? We tend to think that better video is about adding more gear, but smaller rigs and zero accessories is fast becoming the ultimate setup for engaging cinematography.



AI Is Not Your Friend

The lines between photography and digital art have never been more blurred. But what happens when you remove the role of photographer entirely?





Ewen's Photography Book



"ReIMAGINE" is now available to order online.
It's a very big and very generous book that will help you to reconnect with your creative side.


ReIMAGINE







Stay Inspired
Join Ewen's newsletter for short updates on new articles and photographic inspiration.

Thanks, you are now subscribed. Please check your inbox for a welcome email.




Computer says NO.
Please check the email address.