lauramarco

Good morning!, I waited for today to write my answer, intending to have clearer ideas and a more serene approach. I feel I understand what it'd imply in photography to let the person photographed "speak" for itself. This means that there must be a dialogue between photographer and subject, or at least the result should not always be a monologue on the part of the photographer. There's much to do before shooting, so the lesson would be: let's flow what we have in front of us, let it be and we as spectators. Spontaneity may reveal itself perhaps the most precious thing in a photograph or people's kinesthetic or their bodies etc. Could be understood as in real life, when someone says to us ... "shut up and let others talk." So far I understand and share this point of view, I open my eyes to another way of seeing photography. With what I do not agree at all, is with this stubborn fighting against postprocessing. There are an infinite world of possibilities before the click in our cameras, but after the click there are too. All that it's made in PS or any other editing program, photographers did the same in the darkroom. They changed and forced negatives, as they pleased!. Used oversaturated rolls of films for shooting in low colorful scenes evironments; They were forcing the films, used films with ISO 100 and selected the option ISO 1600 on the camera, because they did not take the film away out of the camera until finished and they've got scenes and situations which differ greatly. Did everything you can imagine! ... used hard papers in the revealing to get textures - created vignettes by using white light and protecting the middle with their hands or a stencil. They made a thousand and one things, they were artisans in the darkroom ... and nobody ever point the finger to them, because of their "excesses". If I'm honest, in general I've been traumatized for my use of the word "creative", I am not able to use it anymore. For me, the verb "create" has: no negative or positive connotations. It is neutral. I have never considered myself better than anyone because I like to work in the post-processing, and for wanting to be an artisan of the possibilities it offers. Finally, (I will not write further because I want to make way for the new POW) ... maybe simplicity in photography is a golden rule. But for Art in general, it is not. Consider: each artistic stage goes through three clear phases: simplicity in forms, a need for details or neatness and a tendency to excess and exaggeration imbalance. We recognize Rococo, as an artistic stage, recharged and full of excesses, which has every right to be a worthy phase of art. From what I gather, this imposition of always stay in the rule of "keep it simple" would mean never to go out of the first phase of any art. Art implies development, one has to experience. Finally, I do not seek any place in the world of art (as someone stated), in fact, until recently, I just shared my images with no one. It's only recently that I show to others, and only a part of it. I produce so few images and I feel them so intimate that sometimes I do not need to show them to anyone. If I show is to see possible reactions and here in this forum to learn. I want to say a "come on"! to all those who enjoy post-processing. It's a very old technique, always been present in photography, not only nowadays with Photoshop, Raw Camera, Lightroom etc. The photographer of my village (a retired one), frozen his rolls of film ... do not ask me why ... is curiosity that makes us move, rightly and wrongly as well. Have a nice day!

Dear Fred, I've visited all the links of the images, except the one about the American laborer, my browser does not allow me. I do not want that you end by reaching the conclusion that my opinion is the following one: * "Not everyone deserves to be photographed." I never stated that idea here, because truth is that I have always been in favor of equality for all. I'm sure one of the biggest disasters in Humanity is inequality and all to what this lack leads us. All people are "worthy" of being photographed or painted or protagonists of a novel etc. But we cannot hide under the label of Art, or under the cover of artistic creation, whatever. There should be certained values well shown and dignity in what is being created. The photo of the French prostitute is full of dignity and a total assessement of values. A chosen prostitution has dignity, a forced and obligued prostitution is a felony. This French prostitute seems more the one of a B&W movie, an actress (though may be real) than another one who must to have sex several times a day with men and is being battered, locked and guarded. Do you really think she would look like the same way? Notice that there're lots of photos that are made daily, with few dignity and quite vulgarity, that transcend even the delicate barrier to pornography. When there're many and many series of women just naked and showing their sh*ven p*ssies, I think to myself... this is not photography, this is just pornography, I can perceive any kind of Art, my senses are not shaken or stimulated, where the woman is totally empty and where they're being abused, agreed or not. It's a trade and you do not have to go very far to find this examples, they're in the forums. I think so brave women such as Simone de Beauvoir, who dedicated their lives to defend their status as "being a woman" without being hated, or used, or abused; I do not want the work and courage of these women to be lost. "The Second Sex" of Beauvoir was a resounding sales success. The author began to write as she reflected on a proposal from Jean-Paul Sartre, about what it had meant to her being a woman. She began to investigate the situation of women throughout history. Also, I want to reflect on the idea that this debate deals more about the nature of the artist, than the person who's being photographed. I know that my nature is not the one of a photographer. I'm more "a creative person", I just search for tools... so perhaps I feel and perceived differently the process of photographic creation. The truth is that I keep thinking about my nature, any restless creator, always asks for his/her condition, his/her "innerself": in fact I reflected much in the prologue I wrote for one of my images, Tell me who I am. .. if you have time, I invite you to read it. I do not know who I am, but do not let conceal everything together, under one cover: ART. Your examples all are true ART. Dear Alf, For me, an image is all about how it makes you feel when you look at it. And for the most part I have to say that usually the way it is processed doesn't matter to me. I fully share your opinion. Art could be a "tangle of feelings" ... we are not any judges to judge the ways of an artist. While it is true that to compete, for dignity and honor ... in front of colleagues, it must be said if it has been manipulated or not. In this case I didn't perceived any joins neither, but we're looking at a small size, a larger size would be more detailed in this aspect. Kindest regards.

Dear Fred, thank you very much for this last comment. I learn a lot in these debates, so I thank you all. Thanks for the link to the photos of Alfred Stieglitz. I did not know the work of this American photographer, I can tell you that having a look at the portraits he made to Georgia O'Keeffe, my heart beats stronger... It beats faster, they are simply incredible. When I saw the photos, I automatically thought, "Laura ... in those looks/eyes of Georgia there is love, there is "love" in these portraits." So then, I went to Wikipedia to find something "I suspected", looking for the words "wife" or "lover", beside the name of O'Keeffe. Voilà: "He was married to painter Georgia O'Keeffe." Bingo!... You've set a wonderful example, but let me say that they are the most isolated cases, it's the large minority of cases. I have always argued that to create Art, the means used must be strongly felt and be used with the heart ... I can not make these portraits to my "neighbor", apart from the fact that I have no genius like this author, it's about that my feelings would prevent me. I could make my neighbor, my friend... other kinds of portraits, but these certainly would not. Because my neighbor is a far in the field of my feelings dimension. I do not know if I can explain myself well. So there's what is called "Muse" to the author/creator ... It's true that all people are "full vessels" obviously we all are ... But to create such geniality, there must be something quite special in the relationship of people involved... Most of the time typical portraits of empty vessels are made, so they end by being "hollow chocolate", that's obvious just looking at the images. (The term "hollow chocolate" has previously been used on this forum to refer to this absence of "strong emotions") You see, I use the words "empty vessels" others used the words "hollow chocolate", meaning always:. "Is void of feelings." You show me one precious example among few exceptions, that's why they're so great and can transcend the barriers of time and years, when I looked at these portraits I read nothing but... LOVE. This is a very interesting subject, which can be discussed. I'm very happy to have seen these photographs and grateful and I understand perfectly what you say to me. Perhaps for this reason, I make my own photos, I do not want to be the empty vessel of anyone... Consider this: "do you think the person to whom the artist (photographer) would dedicate his negatives, his works, his dreams... is the same as the one that's sleeping beside him/her in bed everyday at night, or with whom has had their children?" ... Do you think that aren't there photographers that can't dedicate their negatives, their art... to the "fullness" of their eyes, soul and life? nevertheless, they can't stay idly. An this is not called "hypocrisy", it is called "living in society". Kindest regards.

Dear Tony, I've read your comment this morning ... but I always wait for the night to answer because I'm much calmer and have more sparetime for me. Yes ... it's true that looking at the image it's clearly perceived a "lonely path", in silence and beauty of nature. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it and it made you remember those happy moments full of peace in your childhood. I prefer living in the countryside rather than in a city. Thank you for what you've told, I'm happy to know more about you. You seem a curious person, eager to learn and know all around you. You can not stop :-) Your never stop discovering and your curiosity pushes you to make your so great portfolio, I also bow my head! No need to turn your head, neither to the right nor to the left as your indications say to me, just consider this landscape in peace and quiet. Many kisses, con cariño, Laura.

Dear David, thank you for your compliments and for reviewing my portfolio. I believe we share many points of view. You say: ... is concentrated in trying to bring out the latent image of the characteristics that best describes the scene as I experienced it. In the end, the artist always wants to convey to others what he has seen and felt at that moment. Then settings or changes that are needed to accomplish this task are valid, but we can't conceal that we've used extra-aid to present to others our final result. I believe it's important to review the portfolio of each POW photographer, in some way it's the best to have been chosen as POW, and the comments and insights. It is possible to make our work be reached by more people interested in the same concerns. If a photographer is honest and loves photography, it's shown in his/her portfolio. All their efforts and dedication and trends and tastes in art are there. Dear Fred, I used the word "deceive" because at first the idea that the photographer wanted to "deceive" intentionally or not, was emphasized. Hence, it came to me the notion of a possible "deception". But I'm convinced there is no room for these terms when it comes to people who appreciate art and have dedicated many years to develop themselves in photography. It makes no sense. Better to speak of "doubts" about the process of creation or "misunderstandings" or "uncertainties". When you talk about German expressionist portraits, you say: I do not always need a clarification telling me if the person was really like this or not ... most of the times models used in photos are like empty vessels to be filled with the juice of the author. I've seen models with a plate over their heads filled with artichokes and cauliflowers... and deep inside me, I was totally convinced of the idea that perhaps that person felt quite ridiculous, but he/she had no problem in helping the artist to express their feelings. Models have great merit, often being anonymous, not quite valued. I would be unable to put artichokes over my head, my personal aesthetic prevents me. I guess for them is a job that aids to earn their living. Positive clues: - About old paintings Photography is art and always will be (Sean O'Hagan) The “photography is not art” debate is so old it’s hardly worth revisiting. However, I would draw attention to the fact that many photographers are busy using textures to make their images look as if they were old paintings. As we see surface of oils today is in a state of disrepair, as well said by Fred. All those cracks, flaws ... were not wanted by its author originally. It is for this reason that today, in my latest works I have much rejection for the use of textures that implement the image, and even worst in resembling an old painting. There's a road, halfway between the imitation of an old painting and a straight photo from the negative, which is amazing if developed and studied. Here in this field, I want to work nowadays. It's a path that has more to do with the composition of an image and its colors, than with its texture. The use of textures makes pixels improved and implemented. I have had failures in colors due to depth of pixels, but I still refuse to use a texture to increase pixels. I prefer to increase my computer's memory and processor to be able to further improve the negative working alone with it, ie. number of bits, and with nothing else. The tip is not in adding and adding, but handle more depth of details. - About post process work Fred, when you talk about Mozart's requiem: that they're listening to a student's completion of what Mozart started Great creators needed help to carry out their great projects, if not intellectual help, a material one, on the spot. Many old musicians, half deaf, half-blind ... needed help. Paint a chapel is too much for a single pair of hands alone, but is little stuff to develop for a great creator. When I've said that many photographers, they do not know much about the prost-processing, I didn't do it with pride or in a negative way. It is true that sometimes if one has been lucky enough to be helping a great creator, he/she has used us as disciples, one realizes that it'd be difficult to reach conclusions and certain ways of working just alone. Access to being next to a great creator, is undoubtedly a privilege. It helps us to understand the process and stamps a seal forever. I developed my own techniques over time, my own way of seeing things and working with my materials, but I think being at the beginning next to a great photographer, who works post processing in an amazing and unique way, his influence will always be with me. I understand is not the same if one has not known closely about the work of these people. That disciple could not have finished the work of Mozart, if he had not been at his side.

Fred, I agree with what you've said ... PLEASE can anyone make a quotation, where I've used the word "deception"; I think I have not used this word here, I've used "assumption" and "kidding" referring to an action that I do believe it was not the photographer's original intention... I can not find it on my replies. Please!

Sorry I couldn't answer before, but I just did a musical test this afternoon. For me it's easier to deal with English here than to write a simple melody of eight bars in D minor where a question and a consistent response can be heard. It's really easier for me to read English than to write, but I've got no serious problem to understand you all, if I've read Thomas Hardy, Christopher Marlowe, Emily Dickinson etc. in English, I think I can read what you write here. I'll try to be brief and clear. Given that the notion of length in written texts is somewhat arbitrary. For me what it may be short, for someone else it can be long or viceversa. I'll try to use quotation in order to avoid misunderstandings. Dear Supriyo, you say: - Thank you very much for your long comment (...) but not sure I picked up everything because it was too long. Supriyo, my comment has got 3.244 words and your comment has got 3.614 so be careful about what you say, please check before... your texts are longer than mine. Never before in my life, I've counted words in a text, at university I had any problems with words... till I joined this forum (¡!) - Nobody is insulting the photographer here Supriyo, you've got to follow my clarifications and read above the first comments to this image (pre-POW comments), in fact... the insulted one WAS ME... I never said it was Giangiorgio. - Io non sono un...grafomane come Laura Marco, non ne sono capace ma, anche se non scrivo mai commenti lunghi, This is a gratuitous insult, that's beside the subject. I will traumatize if people keep counting words. I started to count myself, oh là là! I'm a philologist, not a "graphomaniac" ... Giangiorgio is a doctor, it never occurs to me to refer to him as "shaman"; I do not know if with the aid of this example you'll understand me better. - When I go to watch magic show, I know I will see magic. My son believes the woman is cut into two... he doesn't even ask himself about blood, pain cries or intestines everywhere (!) When my son looks at my composites, his eyes are wide open with emotion. His face is a poem. Photography is not only enjoyed by adults, there's a wide public. - is definitely a place for composite images for portraying the artists' messages through surrealistic scenes. I make composites and I hate surrealism. I live with my feet on the ground. Thinking that composites must be unreal or surreal images is a very poor vision. I totally disagree with you. - They post comments with phrases such as 'timing' and 'perfect moment', and nobody clarifies their confusion. I will read Photonet bases again to see if it's compulsory to give technical details or say the secret data of the recipe. The photographer is not required, I'm afraid. When I saw his image, I never thought that "he was kidding". A tough assumption. - Copy of a renaissance art Let me say that most creative artists, do not spend the time of their lives dealing with the issue of copying. It's irrelevant. If an artist "creates", it's different from a phony, a bluffer. The latter does not go very far on his way. Do not enjoy, he/she get tired quickly. Art is priorly enjoyed. I have never stopped to consider these issues, sorry!. - You won't be underestimated, as long as the scene is not construed as a straight photo. Dear Supriyo, I've got in my portfolio straight photos and composites. Let's find out who's who... am I obliged to say how do I work my negatives? to say if it's just one or seven shots? I'm asking..., I've got to check Photonet bases. You're too sure about a too delicate issue, I'm afraid. By the way, I love to do composite and love to go outdoors to shoot as well, last time to the riverside. I even climbed a tree, a poplar. - You know very well, it is possible to produce a beautiful still life solely using photorealistic rendering without ever touching the camera, would you call that photography? I am a rendering artist myself, and I post such works to other forums, not here. I do not know... I'm astonished... believe me! I always use my camera for my images. I think Photonet is a place with room for everyone. I have always published here and nobody has told me before it's not a place for my photography. You leave me perplexe... I do not know what to think ... Well, my point of view differs a bit from yours :) I've got composites and straight photos... and I'm not obliged to tell the details of my recipe :) I even don't try to deceive anyone. To make an artwork for me, means to begin walking a path... of which I know the point of departure but the rest it's an adventure even for me; when I see a work finished, it's like an "unexpected craft". To everyone in general, I'd like to say that I appreciate your responses, may I agree to some extend or not. Thank you! Before finishing I just want to tell you an anecdote: "One day, I'm not sure how it happened, I was on a bus headed to a conference, a religious event. Everyone sang religious songs out loud and I just moved my mouth ... ... to go unnoticed among so many "lambs" singing, at that moment I felt like a big wolf in sheep's clothing, hiding. Desiring to choke, howle and jump forward from that place. I have never felt engulfed by the overall feel of the dough; I have not been afraid to think differently. So thank you for your opinions, but "I think differently".

In my opinion and from my experience working with digital negatives, I think this image is not formed by superimposing several images. I think it's a unique shot, but I can be wrong, of course. All depends on the skills of the creator. Nor do I care whether it's a single image or are several ones. I only judge the final result, not the means to achieve it. I have no prejudices in photography. I'm stunned. Perhaps for you, magicians are unpresentable and liars, don't ever go to a show. Magic does not exist. Shouldn't read Don Quixote, because as it's not a true story, not worth. You say: what is not a copy of reality is not worthy, just in any kind of Art (or just only in photography?, is photography a different Art or isn't any Art? After reading this debate, my conclusions are quite negative and are the following ones: only truly valuable work is from a negative, other photography is under-estimated and under-appreciated, maybe for you isn't photography, but for my friend who works with oils, I'm not a painter, I'm a photographer. In my view, know how to make a good photograph is important, but we must use the negative positively and constructively. We are not in the 50s, 40s, 60s and so on, not in the Middle Ages :) There is what is called digital, digital photography ... I mean digital, can be EDITED. This is the reality in 2016. There's sentimentality or just the camera to achieve a goal, to use rolls of film, but do not remain o-b-s-o-l-e-t-e. There are photographers uploading negative resized, even with the name of the negative, I mean _DSC4445555, is the least creative I've seen in my life. They have 100 negatives a week and then a photographer who loves editing the negatives, A MONTH ... just to upload 1 single image (!) To be underestimated (?) so much work? Well, my experience tells me that in most cases, photographers who despise editing and working with negatives, several photos into one, most of them have no idea how to make those issues, but we (post-processers) do know how to take a photo with the camera. There are many books that teach us to use a camera in the best way. There are no books that teach us to create a work with the help of imagination and creativity post-treated. Thus, like it or not. I respect all photography, but I do see that post-processed work is continuously despised :( I did not come here to defend anything. I've got to study these days, maybe I'm getting short of time. I'm here to give my opinion and is: if this image of the POW is the sum of several or only a negative, leaves me indifferent. I'm not interested at all. I do not want the photographer to tell me his skills, they're his. I use photography to dream. My dreams do not exist in reality. I am not for that reason worst photographer than anyone. I work with my digital negatives. It takes me weeks to finish a scene and I desire not to be underestimated. Should have exist clearly different categories, all valid. Well, I do not dwell more ... at the risk of being called "graphomaniac". I'm philologist. Call a philologist - a "graphomaniac" is an insult and it's made on purpose. I was insulted here, in this image, in the pre-POW comments. I was despised and insulted ... and no one has asked me apologize, but I understand that the arrogance and bad faith of some people, must find a channel output, must find someone to insult or belittle to be good "barnyard roosters" and achieve their goals. I recommend you not to write too long. If you expound yourselves on the photos of the interested person, you're philosophers. And if you write on photos of others, not interested ones, you are graphomaniacs. Failure to improve much in PN. Too many roosters :) Not to be older in this forum, others haven't the right to insult. Maybe in my case my sin is my photos, me I make. No pushy makes them for me. No rooster makes my negatives. I have no need, thanks to God! Something to be celebrated! Happy day to everybody...

Caro Giuseppe, la ringrazio molto per il tuo commento. Sono molto felice che ti piace questa immagine. Grazie per il complimento che sembra un quadro ... ma un "quadro pieno di ricordi ed emozioni" Tanti saluti affettuosi, Laura.

Querido Gianni, me alegro mucho que te guste la imagen. Sí, es verdad que en la naturaleza se pueden hacer unas magníficas fotos, con mucha paciencia, mucho esmero, saber esperar y entender los ciclos de la naturaleza. Pero... yo pienso en la naturaleza, no para hacer una copia bella de ella, sino para mostrar de qué manera ha cambiado mi vida, de qué manera se mete por los poros de la piel, para quedarse siempre allí. Como la siento... no significa como se ve realmente. Me encanta la fotografía como un sueño, como el recipiente que da cabida a las emociones y los recuerdos. En ese sentido es muy poderosa. Gracias, por tu idea de no cortar el árbol a la derecha, pero...yo quería usar un formato de paisaje y mantener a la mujer en el tercio, y no perder el detalle de su rostro, que no quedase muy pequeña. Que se pudiese percibir bien su expresión.   Muchas gracias por tu comentario y visita. Muy apreciados.   Con cariño, Laura.

Dear Alf, I'm delighted to read your comment because I always largely identify with the feelings and experiences you describe. I make your words my own, fully describe how I feel. All that being commented on nature, it's not "dejà vu" ... one must live on site and spend time there to understand. I lived for two years in the countryside, out of nowhere ... no one or any house in a radius of 500 meters. No lighting, no sewage ... there were only fields and tractors that could be heard plowing. I saw fields in the light of the moon in the middle of the night, I heard birds singing at night, I smelled fennel when wet with rain, freshly plowed earth ... all that can not be easily forgotten. I've been alone at night with no one around, even being pregnant of my son (!) and nothing bad ever happened to me :)   All those memories lie within my heart ... I can not forget. And I like to use photography to give out, to give them a shape. The shape of my memories.   I'm glad you like it, thanks for your visit and positive comment for this image. Very grateful!   Con cariño, Laura

Thank you Tony :-) I hope to succeed. I've heard the Mendelssohn piece on the piano ... I love it!. By this composer, I knew his famous "Wedding March" also very nice. When you'll get to play perfectly, I would like to hear you on an audio, right? promised? or watch you play the piece on the piano :) it would be fantastic!. If we'd lived in the same city, I'd convince you to teach me to play something simple on the piano. C and F keys... I read them well. Much success with this piece and much encouragement! ... A hug, Laura.

Hola Guillermo, magnífica nitidez y enfoque. Aunque no veamos el rostro de la mujer en este retrato, es totalmente acertada la perspectiva, ya que se trata de enfatizar los maravillosos tejidos peruanos. Si viesemos su rostro, nos distraería del fin de la toma. El fondo desenfocado está soberbio. Excelente retrato, maravillosas gentes y cultura. ¡Felicidades!, un saludo, Laura.

Querido Gianni, la foto es fantástica. En mi opinión, su fuerza reside en que los tres protagonistas se hallan en el centro de la gran forma en V del valle. El color de la vegetación está muy bien presentado y la nitidez y profundidad de campo elegida es magnífica. Primer plano: el perro, plano medio: los pastores y finalmente al fondo: las montañas :-) Los tres sonríen. Están contentos con el fotógrafo. ¡Buen trabajo! Con cariño, Laura.

Tony, I love this image. The staircase is almost personified, the real protagonist of the scene with full force. Presentation, image rotation, in my opinion is very successful. Water being a bit post treated, has got abstract touches, full of textures. Congratulations on this romance (*_*) Blue tones are very attractive and fantastic!. Con cariño, Laura

"Find what you want, do not imply seeking the real truth". Comments are welcome. Thank you! :-)

For me ... walking in nature surrounded by silence and solitude, means an attempt to find a meaning to the world, because the world reveals itself to human beings who are sensitive. Quite difficult to give a shape to sensations and values in simple words, short phrases that can reach everyone. Try to be understood, reached out to others, it's not entirely straightforward. I find in nature, in woods... a great silence ... that makes me feel closer to myself than in any other place. I'm filled with a feeling of nostalgia. Nostalgia... for what? I do not know ... this irrational silence shows me clearer than ever the gulf between the world and human beings. Follow the marked path, looking at endless sky, suffering cold in the body, makes our consciousness more evident than ever. We must explore this silence to find the truth. We can not find ourselves in everyday life, because it's full of nonsense, numbs us and stuns us. "Find what you want, do not imply seeking the real truth." It's frustrating ... but better to try and make sense of everything we do. Silence is very clear, very latent and must be studied. I know that the truth stays at the end of this path ... and it' has to be walked so lonely. And it hurts to walk along it. This is my commitment, search for the real truth, although may be not what I desire.