Processing a Fine Art Photo Correctly Is Time Consuming

This black-and-white photograph of a Big Bend landscape in Texas was developed to hightlight the Rio Grande river.

Art Photography is not Compositing

When developing or processing a photograph from one of my cameras, I focus on the following steps:

Cropping
Noise management
Improved Sharpness
Changing Colors
Improvement of Different Contrasts
Improvement of Details
Removal of Those Disruptive Elements Defined by ACANP Methode.

But I always respect an essential rule. I never complete photo montages or compositing with elements taken from other photographs.

For me, it is an artistic form completely different from fine art photography. I took trainings to learn these techniques because I believe that they can contribute to further reflection and additional inspiration.

I discovered that the created images lacked depth and volume. The worst thing for me was to discover that the artists who created this kind of work did not even venture onto the field to shoot. They purchased subscriptions to photo stocks, and then downloaded dozens of snapshots created by other photographers to create their own worlds.

This behavior does not correspond to my moral and ethical values.

For me, the creation of a fine art photograph is a very long process that always begins on the field with individual shots. Processing is only the reinforcement of our artistic approach.

In no case should the processing be the beginning of the creative process of my works. For me, these are the limits of artistic photography.

Art Photo Development is Very Time-Consuming

Artistic photography is a very time-consuming creative activity. Even though computers have become more powerful and software has become increasingly efficient, the time spent in front of a computer screen is still very long. Indeed, the development combinations are infinite. In my case, the development of an artistic photo can take from one to four hours.

The first step is to ask, “What is the message or emotions that I want to reinforce?” Then you must determine the tools that will be used. You must be very careful not to get lost in the software functions palette.

When developing, you must be consistent so that all photographs retain the same style. Once the search process is successful, post-processing can begin. This step requires vast thought, research, and introspection.

Art Photo Development Generates Recognition

If the processing phase is carried out with high quality and in respect of the photographic vision, it will then grant the photographer audience recognition. Indeed, all those who are interested in the acquisition of art photographs can recognize the talent of the photographer during the development phase. For them, it is as important as shooting.

A photographer who creates fine art photos must always evolve, keeping abreast of new techniques to further strengthen his credibility and know-how.

He must not become too comfortable with his current position. He must never begin to think that everything is acquired simply because he has made one or several beautiful artistic series.

The development of artistic photos demands integrity as I have seen before, as well as humility. There are always photographers who can inspire me and encourage me to explore on new paths of inspiration.

If an artist photographer accepts these conditions, then he will always gain the respect of his audience. His artistic approach will be strengthened. I must never forget that as photographers, my work only exists through the eyes of others.

Finally

The development of an artistic photograph is one of the fundamental steps in the photographic creative process. It reinforces the artistic approach of the artist. It is a time-consuming activity that requires a lot of energy.

The photographer must pay a lot of attention to generate quality works. He must not forget that the respect of his audience is a privilege. He must always present the best version of himself.

Be humble, patient, constant, persevering, and persistent because the road to excellence is long.

February 2018. Underwater Photo Project in the Cenotes of Mexico

In February 2018, we went diving in the cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The purpose of this underwater photo project was to create a new collection entitled "Divine Lights". It will be part of our "Around the Spirit" theme and will be developed in the "Black and White Shades" style.

Our goal was to capture the most beautiful lights in these open caves. The wells of lights are absolutely splendid with very concentrated and intense rays. For us, it is an irradiated light that we deem as divine.

Cenotes are very numerous in the Yucatan region. Cenotes are chasms or sinkholes filled with a superficial layer of fresh water. Sometimes there is a lower layer of seawater if they connect with the ocean by faults. Cenotes are produced by a phenomenon of dissolution and collapse of limestone lands located above an underground network of caves and rivers. They are found both in picturesque places in the jungle and in cities.

The Maya considered these wells as a means of communication with the gods of the underworld, the chasm representing a mouth. They were used as a reserve of fresh water, but also as a place of worship in which offerings or sacrificial victims were thrown. In addition to the phenomenon of hydrogen sulphide, the phenomenon of halocline is equally interesting. Cenotes are composed of fresh water. However, in some Cenotes, the bottom of the wells consists of salt water, which is heavier than fresh water. The difference between the two water densities creates a sudden change in salt concentration called a halocline. The depth of the halocline is a function of several factors: the climate, the quantity of fresh water, and the conductivity of the surrounding rock. Creating photos is not easy in this environment but with a little bit of technique, one can discover very creative photographs.