2010 BAJA CALENDAR (for sale)!

Here is another shot of Balandra from the air.

Looking for oversaturated color, just watch CSI Miami.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd Looking for oversaturated color, just watch CSI Miami.

let's see, if I order 7 I could get my Christmas shopping done before Veteran's Day-

3 for us
2 for employees' Christmas bonus ( hey...it's been a SLOW year!)
2 for the grandparents

grown-up siblings are on their own, and we have no friends

Yep, 7 should do it.......




OK- heading for the credit card~~~

I guess it is because I have come to love some of the really processed pictures, some of the real HDR stuff as an alternative photography art form----impressionist stuff. Some of the same stuff that others think is cartoonish, fake and ugly. Over the Top HDR I really disliked the photo in the link when I first saw it on a photo forum----but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. I am now a real fan of this mans work.

That said, if the photo shown here was in a different context and setting, I would probably appreciate it more---but I do not see it for a group of what I would expect to be more natural looking nature photography. I think the expectation is to see Baja as it is, and not interpreted---think you said something like that.

I don't see this photo as artificial, just processed in a way that, to me, does not fit the bill and looks artificial---maybe a melted gumby gone rogue.

Seriously, do you see this type of processing as artificial? We need to be careful---we have been told not to discuss it here.






[Edited on 11-9-2009 by DianaT]

There you go again.

Why would a photo of Balandra, one of the most beautiful natural settings in Baja, need to be enhanced? Who's ideal does it not meet? You can't fool people who have been there so, this must be for the unsuspecting folks who haven't and who might, someday, design a trip to the area based on the fantasy in the calendar. Is that ethical, honest?
These photos were shot for commercial purposes, not for reflections or appreciation of natural beauty.

I really don't give a chiit why the shooter made the photos. It's my steadfast feeling that if reality has been altered in the interest of commerce, the viewer deserves to know that in advance. Otherwise, he's just been sold a lie.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS Quote: Originally posted by DianaT I don't see this photo as artificial, just processed There you go again.

Busted. Guess I am stuck there.

Photography seems to be going through a transitional period, Diane. There seems to be little agreement any longer about what constitutes a good photograph.

There was a time when photography was it's own unique art form because no painting could capture the detail of reality as well as a photograph. Nor could a moment in time be captured by a painter like a photograph. So a sharp image with a rich range of tones was considered a hallmark of great photography (Ansel Adams defined 10 zones).

Many people are holding on to that. Others seem to feel that those restrictions are no longer necessary. Heavily photoshopped images are often referred to now as 'photoshop art'.

Most photographers on the websites I frequent don't take HDR very seriously. In fact, once the shooter reports that it's an HDR image, the posts almost disappear as people stop commenting on it. Those are my observations.

The argument goes like this. If more information is good then why would you want to eliminate most of it in the processing. Say you image has 15 shades of yellow, why would you want to posterize it my reducing it to 3 shades. Wouldn't that reduction impoverish the work? In most cases that's true. The more pixels the camera captures, the richer the images is potentially.

But photoshop gives you the opportunity to turn your back on photograpy and just start with a photograph and use it to whatever you find attractive.

Personally I'm still old school, mostly. I believe that photoshop should be used to correct the camera's limitation in capturing reality. For example, in most light situations you can't get a good sky and a good landscape with one exposure. So you meter for the sky with one exposure and meter the mountains with another exposure. Then you combine the 2 exposures into a single image with photoshop. Actually, that's what photoshop was initially designed to do.

Let's face it good taste is good taste no matter where it is. If you use photoshop to add 'punch' to an image so that it will knock you down. Well, many buyers like that. It sells. Six stories below my office are street vendors who sell that sort of thing every day here. And photoshop lets you make those sort of modifications fairly easily.

Looks like DavidK took his marbles and went home.

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe Quote: Originally posted by DianaT I have become a fan of some of the really processed photos---like some of the HDR that take on a real impressionistic look---I am beginning to see it as a different art form, not better nor worse than the more natural photography, just different. Photography seems to be going through a transitional period, Diane. There seems to be little agreement any longer about what constitutes a good photograph. There was a time when photography was it's own unique art form because no painting could capture the detail of reality as well as a photograph. Nor could a moment in time be captured by a painter like a photograph. So a sharp image with a rich range of tones was considered a hallmark of great photography (Ansel Adams defined 10 zones). Many people are holding on to that. Others seem to feel that those restrictions are no longer necessary. Heavily photoshopped images are often referred to now as 'photoshop art'. Most photographers on the websites I frequent don't take HDR very seriously. In fact, once the shooter reports that it's an HDR image, the posts almost disappear as people stop commenting on it. Those are my observations. The argument goes like this. If more information is good then why would you want to eliminate most of it in the processing. Say you image has 15 shades of yellow, why would you want to posterize it my reducing it to 3 shades. Wouldn't that reduction impoverish the work? In most cases that's true. The more pixels the camera captures, the richer the images is potentially. But photoshop gives you the opportunity to turn your back on photograpy and just start with a photograph and use it to whatever you find attractive. Personally I'm still old school, mostly. I believe that photoshop should be used to correct the camera's limitation in capturing reality. For example, in most light situations you can't get a good sky and a good landscape with one exposure. So you meter for the sky with one exposure and meter the mountains with another exposure. Then you combine the 2 exposures into a single image with photoshop. Actually, that's what photoshop was initially designed to do. Let's face it good taste is good taste no matter where it is. If you use photoshop to add 'punch' to an image so that it will knock you down. Well, many buyers like that. It sells. Six stories below my office are street vendors who sell that sort of thing every day here. And photoshop lets you make those sort of modifications fairly easily. Looks like DavidK took his marbles and went home.

A very well explained position, and I respect and agree in many ways. I love pure photography---tomorrow we may once again stop at the Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop where so many pure beautiful photographs live, even though some of those others have crept in. And in the area of photo journalism probably my favorite was the work of Dorthea Lange----such stories told with pure photography. I can spend hours with her work.

So, I guess I really separate the two----and on some forums where I have seen the HDR used just a little, no, I do not like those and prefer the more natural look. It is the really far over the top ones that facsinate me. Did you look at the photo that I linked above? It is so over the top that it no longer looks like a photograph---but something real different that just grabs me.

Maybe I can adopt the name photoshop art, because I still see some of it as art, but not as pure photography as you so well describe.

And as far as the street sales---well, some of that might be like the old pallete knife paintings or velvet matadors---hate to admit it, but when I was VERY young, I bought a pallet knife painting of an ever so cute lion---wish I still had him for laughs.

Thanks for the conversation---a lot to learn and a lot to think about. Another thought about photoshop. What do you think about using it to convert to B & W or one of pix with the subject in color and the background in B & W. I have used that some and liked it, and have seen some work on this forum that I thought was outstanding----

BTW---DK just switched to http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=42343 to try and direct traffic.
Diane

And, in the dog thread, did you read Lencho's description of threads, conversations, and natural progression? Well written



[Edited on 11-10-2009 by DianaT]

Here's the photo in question. Are the colors too saturated or has the green been enhanced? It sure doesn't appear to be the real thing. I have to say that when I first saw it I thought of pictures I've seen in sci-fi comics.

Just what was done with a photo editor?

2010 Baja Calendar

Thanks for getting re-signed onto Nomad, Carlos! De nada for the plug (here on the Baja Miscl. Classified Ads forum)...

BajaNuts, the photo is from the web site! http://baja-calendar.com

Just amazing how much drama there is over a promo photo for a calendar!

Some of you guys really need a Baja trip, bad!

Could I get a 2009...cheap?

Baja Calendar drama

HDR

It ain't easy.

Way to go Carlos!!! Looks like a great Calendar!

My Sweet Cap - Photogs for the November '08 and '09 pix think that dangling sideways from POS's threadbare seat is the only way to shoot, thank you ever so much.

This year's calendar photog dangles from his ultralight wholly out there in the breeze. I've seen him buzz Tecolote/Balandra/Espiritu Santu many many times. Looks like great fun in and of itself. And yes, me thinks this year's calendar will look great hanging from the wall of many a nomad.

Far as you 'n the Boyz and your upcoming trip.... the mainland had best prepare. Not sure they're ready for all y'all.

nena

Cap - are you on the trip now?! Dodging Ida?
fingers crossed i am on 2010.... i am prepared to accept all required hazing as a newbie.

absolutely can't wait for the reports.

Oops, Youre right as usual Nena. Its November '09... sorry i dont have my land legs back. I was really just using it as an excuse to brag about Mr. S, and to make the point that everyone sees the same place differently, and the amount of work/talent that goes into an endevour like that is considerable. I look forward to the coming opus.

I have returned from a ferry flight to Miami, that became a scouting trip of sorts... I have regained my respect for Tropical storms, Single Barrel Rums, and lovely S. American cabin crew personnel.

The Mainland trip is on soon, but after a serious shake up in the Cabo Boys, the dates are a matter of group security.
I can tell you that next years' Rendevous is Miami and involves some time in Bolivia.

I believe we have the aerial video camera system nearly perfected, so the next movie should be another step up from previous attempts.
I will post a link when things draw near, and we will be overhauling the website, and attempting a fly in for next year.

Thank you Marv!

Wahoo Kudos!

Gracias Marv!

Thanks Marv... You have done such a great job over the years with the calendar... it is your baby... and it is in good hands with Sr. Fiesta, I am sure!

Thanks for including three of my photos in the past two calendars and nice words about VivaBaja.com!

2008 Calendar (July, Nov.):





2009 Calendar (Dec.):

Thanks Charles... I hope you continue to take great photos and help Carlos Fiesta with the calendars... Don't let a couple of Nomads with criticism deter you!

If you are taking requests... I would love to see some of Baja's palm canyons from the air...