MontereyJohn Photography
Lightroom - You Might Want to Try It...
Posted by MontereyJohn (Salinas, California, United States) on 26 February 2009 in Miscellaneous.
if you are not already.
I have begun really "using" Lightroom, especially on these most recent images. I have been trying to capture how I experienced a scene rather than just what I saw, if that makes any sense.
Stephen Phillips, a fine aminus3 shooter, had this to say about it:
"Dear John,
I'm certain what I detect beyond your 'I almost feel like cheating' statement - is unbridled joy. As you are aware - I too purchased Lightroom in the middle of last year and my imagery has improved dramatically. And as you stated - the key is in what it allows one to extract from the RAW data.
All of what we use in photography are tools and process. One of the biggest breakthroughs in my approach to photography - and in some respects - my approach to problem solving - came when I discovered this about Ansel Adams:
He was frustrated at the dullness of his imagery of Yosemite. Eventually - he tried a dark red filter in front of the lens - and voila - there it was. The key to many of his dramatic images that we've grown to love. What Adams saw wasn't a 'trick' - but a means. For him - now his images conveyed the feel of the place. And that was to Adams great relief and joy. This is what he wanted his imagery to do - to bring out the feeling. This is what I seek as well. That my imagery resonate with the viewer. That it form a connection.
Ansel Adams was painstaking in chemistry and photo method - spending long hours into years perfecting a difficult craft. I applaud what he accomplished and to see one of his silver prints gives me goose-bumps. WE have things much easier - and that has its own price - which is another conversation. What is important here is understanding what we want to accomplish.
In asking that question - I leave you with this; at the end of his life - Ansel was spending time at the University of Arizona's VIDEO arts program. I haven't yet discovered what was drawing him there - but I aim to find out. In the end, art - all art - is about connection. For a creative artist - it is about making a difference.
Enjoy your Lightroom, John.
Joyous light,
Stephen"
Update: Sony RAW and Adobe: The other day I acquired a Sony Alpha 200 which I just love. HOWEVER, the versions of PS (CS2) and Lightroom (1.4.1) I have can not read Sony RAW files. This is most vexing.
I am not inclined to buy later software as I do not otherwise want or need it.
I'll be trying to figure out some sort or work around.
Now back to our regular progamming.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing in the joy I take in this art of photography. Enjoy your visit, and if you have any comments or useful criticisms, please feel free to share them.
You can visit my web site at http://montereyjohnphotography.com/
