Many a heated discussion has been had in photography circles about manipulating photographs.
While I completely agree with the philosophy that you should “get it right in camera”, there are those times that a bridge is required between what you see through the viewfinder and what you see in your mind’s eye. Sometimes this is due to the limitations of the equipment, such as with a low dynamic range, or it could be an issue with the setting or scene – details that are either not present and they should be, or that are present but shouldn’t be and it simply wouldn’t be feasible to move them in real life first. The former is a common issue with landscape photography and the latter is often seen with commercial and real estate work.
From a creative’s standpoint, I often want to achieve a final result that simply goes beyond reality. Fantastic worlds that only exist in my mind or physical feats that no living human could actually perform. In those cases, manipulation of the image after capture is the best way to create my vision. Cosplay and fantasy photography is where I use this most often. Either recreating concepts from comic books or telling a story that exceeds the limits of reality, the process begins with photography but is completed with digital manipulation of, as is usually the case, many different illustrated and photographic elements to create the one final frame.
Becoming accredited in Image Manipulation has been a goal of mine since joining the PPOC. Having come from an illustration and painting background, I started with Photoshop before I actually picked up a camera. While I always enjoy creating new and unique pictures, it became equally useful with wedding and portrait work. “Photobombs”, unwelcome background details, bringing out fine design work with key pieces of clothing, ensuring even skin tones and helping clients look their very best – all are little manipulations of the original image to create an end product that goes above and beyond simply snapping a scene.
This past weekend, I finally took the leap and submitted my work to a panel of expert photographic judges, and I’m happy to announce that all went well. Very well, in fact: the highest possible marks on the overall submission. Yay, me! *cue happy dance* No need to edit a smile onto my face… this time. 😉
Here are the full details:
2018/02/17
The Professional Photographers of Canada is pleased to announce that:
Jay Terry MPA ,
has just earned an accreditation in Image Manipulation, at our Accreditation judging in Winnipeg, MB.
Accreditation is the first elevation above the general membership level, and is achieved by submitting samples of the
applicant’s photography to a PPOC Board of Review for Accreditation. Accreditation demonstrates that the photographer is
capable of delivering above average quality photography in a chosen category.
In assessing Accreditation Submissions, the judges will consider the following criteria: Impact, Creativity, Style,
Composition, Presentation, Color Balance, Centre of Interest, Lighting, Subject Matter, Image file quality, Technique and
Story Telling.
Along with other service and print merits, a minimum of one Accreditation is required to qualify for a Craftsman of
Photographic Arts and two accreditations are needed for a Master of Photographic Arts.
For more information, please contact:
Tracy Grabowski, MPA,SPA
780 413 4550
tracy@tracygrabowskiphoto.com
Tanya Thompson
PPOC Executive Director
T: (888) 643-PPOC (7762)
e-mail: exec.director@ppoc.ca
Cheers!
