Camera manufacturers do their darned best to create cameras that capture detail and sharpness, recording every fine line and detail that can be extracted from a scene or portrait. In many cases, this is pleasing. In the case of portraits, it can be terrifying. I swear the image of that woman’s face is downright scary in its unaltered state! Moles, wrinkles, sags, pimples, stray ingrown hairs, unexplained red spots, scabs, cakey white… well you get the picture. I have to admit that I am excited to get started on an image like this, to ”aestheticize” (verb-to depict as being pleasing or artistically beautiful; represent in an idealized or refined manner) it as soon as possible. Hurry up and FIX it! I don’t want anyone to see it, not even the person whose face it is! Does she know she has all of this on her face? I have used the ultimate tool to capture the “ultimate truth” and now the moral dilemma is, do I reveal this truth?  

How young do you want to look? I charge by the year: 5 years younger - $50, 10 years younger - $100; how much do you want to weigh? I charge by the pound: 10 pounds -$50, 30 pounds – $100. One could actually do it this way.

The age old question…to fix or not to fix.

It comes down to this:

1. I have the permission of the subject to capture a likeness using a camera.

2. As the owner and creator of the image, I have the artistic license to render the final product as I see fit.

3. The subject can accept or reject the outcome.

Simple. I don’t need anyone’s permission to create art from images. On the other hand, I am going to be smart to create an image for the subject that is exchangeable for appreciation and profit!

In the end its like riding a surf board. I have to use my skill, strength and intuition to stay on top of the board during the ride. Likewise is the relationship with the client or subject; all must be balanced so you conquer that wave and a true exchangeable product can be produced. The examples are of an image that I copied from someone else and then made art out of it.

All the railing and fits that have been thrown regarding using manipulation in photography come down to two issues in my mind: The right to freedom of expression and not committing fraud.

Fight me back on this point of view if you will. I would love to hear the counter arguements!

Are your pictures too light?  In this blog I will show you how to simply and easily correct over-exposed or too light pictures using Photoshop Elements or higher.  First, open your image in your Photoshop program. Go up to the menu bar across the top and click on “Image” and scroll down to “Adjustments”. Click on “Brightness/Contrast” and it will open a small window with two sliders in it. First use the top slider to darken the image for best exposure. Then slide the bottom one to the left for less contrast, which will bring out more detail in the whitest areas. Keep tweaking each slider until you are satisfied with the result, bringing out the best possible image adjustment. Now save the image by going up to “File” on the menu bar and clicking on ”Save As” and save your work with a new name. This will keep your original intact in case you want to go back and start over again with new adjustments. 

Check out some of the artistic adjustments and manipulations samples at www.sharons.photostockplus.com. If you want super photo artistic renditions of YOUR photos send me an email with your request!

Sunbeams