AUSTRALIANPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 73
APS FOCUS
AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY + DIGITAL SEPTEMBER 2015
With Jenny
Davidson
W
ell known
photographer
Ken Duncan has
introduced a new
photography contest that is only open to
original photographs without excessive
post processing. The question is, what
constitutes an ‘over processed’ image.
I regularly read that an image
has had minimal post processing:
“Just a bit of colour adjustment to make
it closer to what I saw at the time.”
If this is the case I need to see my
optometrist because I don’t see those
saturated colours anywhere.
Before digital, different film types were
used to enhance colour saturation and
tonal qualities. Of course, photographers
could also use filters to enhance or
alter colour and different darkroom
techniques could be applied to create a
variety of effects that were not an accurate
representation of the scene. Of course,
filters could also be used to reduce light
and slow the movement of water and
clouds, and infrared film could be used
to change the way the camera recorded
colour and light.Digital imaging has made many
of these processes easier to achieve.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is now a
feature on most cameras and software
with plugins and digital blending
making it possible to produce images
with detail in the darkest shadows and
brightest highlights. This technique uses
a number of images taken at different
exposures which are then blended in
software to produce a considerably wider
dynamic range than we could ever have
imagined in the days of film.
A similar effect can be used to achieve
sharp focus throughout an image
particularly close up and macro shots
where a number of images are taken with
different focus points then blended to
produce an image that is in focus from
front to back. This technique is known
as focus stacking and again software does
most of the work.
Simple techniques such as replacing
a dull sky in an image can be achieved
in minutes. While it is admirable to see
someone trying to bring back ‘truth’ in
photography how will the judges of this
contest be able to determine that nomanipulation has occurred? A recent
report claims that 20% of entries in a
World Press Photo competition had to
be disqualified because of excessive
manipulation and post processing.
If you are entering a competition take
the time to read the terms and conditions
to make sure you understand what is, and
isn’t acceptable.
Australian Photographic Society
encourage National and International
Competitions and points are awarded
to members achieving acceptance and
awards in these approved exhibitions,
ultimately these points accumulate
to go towards achieving photographic
honours recognised not only in
Australia but internationally. This year
five International Exhibitions were held
with two in Sydney, one Maitland, one
circuit in Queensland and a Print only
Exhibition in Victoria. Throughout the
year a number of National Exhibitions
are held and information about these
can be found on the APS web site,
some of these exhibitions accept both
prints and digital images and some only
digital, this is a good way to have your
images seen and assessed by others you
also receive catalogues showing the
accepted images, some of these are in
print and others are digital but it gives
you the opportunity to see how your
work compares with others and what the
judges like. It is interesting to note how
an image can fail in one exhibition and
receive awards in another, it is a great
way to gain experience. ❂real photo
Wild fungii. Photo
by Jenny Davidson.
The