Thoughts About Editing

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by Damaso

On my blog today I talk about my approach to editing and give an example form a recent shoot. I think that far too many photographers out there underestimate the importance of being a good editor of your own work.

"Next to actually being able to take a photograph editing is perhaps the most important skill a photographer can have. As a young freelancer you will be expected to edit your own material before submitting it and being able to see the strengths and weaknesses of your own work cannot be underestimated."

Got a question, where are these Pentecostal photos from? I didn't know they existed anywhere but in the southern US! But, then, I don't get out much anymore.

[Damaso]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Got a question, where are these Pentecostal photos from? I didn't know they existed anywhere but in the southern US! But, then, I don't get out much anymore.

They are from Barcelona, Spain. Over the past few decades Pentecostalism has spread widely, especially here in Europe. What's interesting is that much of that spread is coming from Africa and Latin America and the United States (the pastor of this church is actually from Illinois). An interesting story!

This image is from Tarragona, a bit to the south...

[Bob Michaels]

Originally Posted by Damaso

.................. Over the past few decades Pentecostalism has spread widely, especially here in Europe. What's interesting is that much of that spread is coming from Africa and Latin America and the United States .......................

I found Pentecostals in Cuba, a country considered to be atheist, Santeria and some Catholic. And not just in Habana but out in the remote provinces. People there watch pirated DVDs of televised church services in the US.

[shadowfox]

Damaso,
Thanks for sharing this.
I of course agree with the point and the lesson.

I just want to mention that I actually like the second picture *much* better than the one that you end up choosing.

To me, the second picture conveys what happened there with simplicity and I might add: style. The semi-out of focus hand on the left bottom and the half-cropped mouth of the man behind the lady work together to emphasize her expression.

The one that you end up choosing may be layered and complex, but to my eyes, it is just a typical shot that I'd expect given the background story and moment. It is not a bad or weak photo, it is predictable.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I realize that you didn't ask for any opinions on the photos.

[jsrockit]

I truly believe you chose the right one... but a few others work as well. It's nice when you have a few to choose from.

[Damaso]

Originally Posted by shadowfox

Damaso,
Thanks for sharing this.
I of course agree with the point and the lesson.

I just want to mention that I actually like the second picture *much* better than the one that you end up choosing.

To me, the second picture conveys what happened there with simplicity and I might add: style. The semi-out of focus hand on the left bottom and the half-cropped mouth of the man behind the lady work together to emphasize her expression.

The one that you end up choosing may be layered and complex, but to my eyes, it is just a typical shot that I'd expect given the background story and moment. It is not a bad or weak photo, it is predictable.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I realize that you didn't ask for any opinions on the photos.

Thanks for your comments, I appreciate the way your framed your thoughts. I like the second photo quite a bit as well.

Once you reach a certain technical level as a photographer editing becomes very much about personality and context. Depending on how I put together this photo essay photo two or photo five might work. As a stand alone image I like the last the best but I do have a more offbeat visual style that not everyone enjoys. Perhaps that's why editors tend to select the images of mine I consider more conventional or boring.

It's also one of the reasons I started my blog: to show the work that often never sees the light of day...

[Doug]

A most interesting thread...
How do you suggest going about growing one's editing skills?

[Damaso]

Originally Posted by Doug

A most interesting thread...
How do you suggest going about growing one's editing skills?

I think the first step is to actually spend a lot of time looking at great photography. Find a photographer who's work inspires you and see how they construct their images and narratives. This is not about copying; it is about understanding the art form.

Next I would say take a long, hard look at 25 of what you feel are your best images. Look at every image critically. Are there things you would change? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each image? Are there problems that reoccur? Are these images interesting to someone who wasn't there or didn't share in the moment.

Finally ask someone whose opinion you value to look at those images and tell you what they think (they don't have to be a photographer). Does this person see what you see when they look at your work? Do you images communicate what you saw and were trying to express?

And then keep doing it and doing it and doing it some more!

[dave lackey]

Editing, IMO, is similar to most things. Either you have the natural ability to do it or you have to work hard at it. I suspect that those with the natural ability are actually better at editing than someone who really has to work hard at it. However, Damaso is right, you can get better at it.

I think that is very important because why would an artist trust his work with someone else's opinion? It is all subjective anyway.

It's like HCB once said about making his images. Charlie Rose asked if he could teach what Bresson does, and the answer was, "No", with a shake of his head.

[Damaso]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Editing, IMO, is similar to most things. Either you have the natural ability to do it or you have to work hard at it. I suspect that those with the natural ability are actually better at editing than someone who really has to work hard at it. However, Damaso is right, you can get better at it.

I think that is very important because why would an artist trust his work with someone else's opinion? It is all subjective anyway.

It's like HCB once said about making his images. Charlie Rose asked if he could teach what Bresson does, and the answer was, "No", with a shake of his head.

I think very, very few people are born with natural talent and even they have to work hard at developing it. The rest of us have to work even harder. I've always said that you can teach anyone to be a good photographer. You can't ever teach greatness I really do think that comes from within at a certain point. But when it comes to photography I think the vast majority of people on RFF would be thrilled to take consistently good or very good images...

I think learning how to edit goes hand in hand with that...

[Ariefb]

Originally Posted by Damaso

I think the first step is to actually spend a lot of time looking at great photography. Find a photographer who's work inspires you and see how they construct their images and narratives. This is not about copying; it is about understanding the art form.

And then keep doing it and doing it and doing it some more!

Spot on. Most artists develop their arts through observation of history and artworks of artists in the past.