LaTigresse
Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006 Status: offline
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From a photographer's perspective. I can bring a person in, set up, put them in a few different clothing options and take shots in 10 different locations at my place. IF I wanted, with lighting and camera angles, I could give you shots that would look like several different people. Hell, just a slight tilt of the head can make a huge difference. The only photoshop I use on my own photos is usually cropping. I might adjust lighting if it's too dark or something like that. For other people, depending upon what they want, I often times walk a fine line in helping them look their best without changing them or misrepresenting who they are. Most will never have a clue what I've done to their portrait. They won't know that I softened a few wrinkles, got rid of a few age spots, whitened their teeth just a bit, softened the glare on their balding head, or eased a muffin top. Most people don't see themselves realistically, either for better or worst. On here, the group of people the OP was whining about......I don't believe they WANT to be 'themselves'. I see it as a role they are playing for one or more of several possible goals. Photoshop with portraits is to me, like plastic surgery. It's an agreement between the photographer and client. Most people want to look their best. A few people are comfortable with misrepresenting themselves to feel better or, just misrepresent. A very few, just do not care at all. I don't see any way as right or wrong. If you look at a photo that looks too good to be true.........it generally is. Another thing most people do not consider. Photos, unless taken by a very good photographer, rarely show the personality of a person. How many times have we seen a photo that totally did not portray a person as we see them, in person. (A week ago I was trying like hell to photography a gorgeous young woman. Out of 30+ shots, maybe 2 came close to conveying her beauty. Something that was immediately obvious upon seeing her in person.) Some people, their beauty just doesn't translate well via still photography. Some people, the ugliness or emptiness of their core, is successfully masked by a winning and photogenic smile. Myself, I don't particularly care about photos on here. Sure, I enjoy eye candy as much as the next person but I prefer to get a feel of a person via their words. If there isn't any soul of who they are, being conveyed, then all those photos are is just that, eye candy. Empty calories.
< Message edited by LaTigresse -- 5/14/2012 8:25:46 AM >
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My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one! Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!
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