My point of view...by Sylvia Ford

About Photography and Digital Applications

Photoshop seems to get a bad rap these days as being a quick fix to achieve quality photography. Just because I own a hammer doesn't mean I'm a carpenter.

Photoshop can also have an opposite effect.  Let's face it; a bad photo has no other name. If your unaware if what to do it will have disastrous results.

The majority of photographers are now in the digital era. Most chemical darkrooms have been replaced digitally.  It's a step forward in technology. One day everyone will be rolling with the times, saving their lungs from harsh vapors, clothing and surrounding areas from uneventful chemical spills.

The darkroom has now come into the light and out from behind closed doors.

What we develop in our darkroom, whether wet or digital remain the same, just the location and the way of our application have changed.  We are no longer putting ourselves for hours in a small room with a red light beaming outside the door to let everyone know to keep out.  We are free to come into the light.

Photoshop was developed for our "in camera raw images" (better known as negatives.)

Downloading your media card into photo shop doesn't turn you pictures into works of art.  That is created at the time of the shutter release.

The darkroom is a place where photographers develop their raw images.

In the darkroom we closely examine our work, check for clarity, detail, color, depth of field.   It's not a quick fix... it takes time. We are working with thousands of pixels. For over 4 years I personally have attended digital darkroom classes to learn the correct way to use these applications.

All the arts have changed through the years.  Its modern day advancements by coming out of the stone ages and learning new safer techniques.

Photographers create within the camera on location. Photoshop and other digital programs help us bring our dreams into reality so we can share our passion with others.
In the arts we have choices whether it's with brushes, palette knifes, chisels or a camera. That's what makes this so wonderful... Our ability to express our love... Our way.

All I ever want to do is share what I love doing. It's not everyone's choice but I make no excuses... I love photography and my ability to create.

The bottom line is... If it can move you, tell you a story or give you a feeling it has accomplished its job no matter what the medium.