Comments on Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemmaTypePad2010-04-23T18:42:27ZToronto Starhttps://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/2010/04/volcano-picture-erupts-modern-darkroom-dilemma/comments/atom.xml/macpage commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef01348693efbf970c2010-08-31T10:39:12Z2010-08-31T10:39:12Zmacpagehttp://pinatubotours.blogspot.comby the way now it`s another volcano in Indonesia that is erupting !<p>by the way now it`s another volcano in Indonesia that is erupting !</p>Anonymous commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef013480353d0b970c2010-04-28T17:08:53Z2010-04-28T17:08:53ZAnonymous "this is NOT an HDR image, because the ash cloud is constantly moving and you would never be able to...<p>"this is NOT an HDR image, because the ash cloud is constantly moving and you would never be able to line up the different exposures. It's over saturated and someone cranked the contrast way up."</p>
<p>Timothy, many cameras have an actual HDR setting where it automatically takes 3 of the pictures in different exposures simultaneously. Even if the camera didn't, I doubt the ash clouds would move so quickly that it would make a difference. </p>Scott Bryant commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecfe6e0f970b2010-04-27T15:53:35Z2010-04-27T15:53:35ZScott Bryanthttp://smallvoiceblog.blogspot.com/Actually, I don't think the effect is produced by HDR. It looks more like the "crunchy" effect produced by the...<p>Actually, I don't think the effect is produced by HDR. It looks more like the "crunchy" effect produced by the High Pass filter in Photoshop coupled with some selective toning. It's actually a very common style applied to editorial portraiture and fashion photography and is sought out by art directors looking for that "edgy" look. I don't think it's appropriate in this application, however.</p>
<p>In the context of NEWS, image optimization (dependent on image output and display) is the rule, not image enhancement. While the line between optimization and enhancement is arguably fuzzy, I still think there is a clear line, and it was clearly crossed in this case.</p>Mike, retired international documentary photographer commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecfe54f6970b2010-04-27T15:37:43Z2010-04-27T15:37:43ZMike, retired international documentary photographerThe question of authenticity is more complicated in digital photography. Paul defined HDR correctly. HDR is a technique used by...<p>The question of authenticity is more complicated in digital photography. Paul defined HDR correctly. HDR is a technique used by digital photographers to compensate for the limited range of digital images. What your eye sees is not what the digital sensors capture. Film has a greater range and can capture an image closer to the one perceived by the photographer. Digital images often have a flat (low contrast) appearance because the sensor captures the middle range of tones, particularly with point and shoot cameras. Post processing using programs such as Adobe's Photoshop can restore the perceived contrast and extended range of tones that approximates more closely the photographer's perception of the scene. In the Reuters photo, the post processing was sloppy and obvious and was manipulated to increase the dramatic impact of the ash cloud.</p>Steve Russell, Toronto Star Staff Photographer commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134802cd711970c2010-04-27T12:44:01Z2010-04-27T12:44:01ZSteve Russell, Toronto Star Staff Photographerhttp://thestar.blogs.com/photoblogI don't think it is fair to compare this to the Adnan Hajj controversy. To me it looks like Reuters...<p>I don't think it is fair to compare this to the Adnan Hajj controversy.<br />
To me it looks like Reuters picked up the picture and moved it while trying to find the original file.<br />
The picture came over the wire without EXIF data. So there is no info on the camera that shot the image or the technical data.<br />
A old digital camera could get you raw results like the first frame that moved, but, it looked a lot like Photoshop to me.<br />
Reuters is at a disadvantage because they are a very popular wire service.<br />
And as the pictures feed in each day to the picture desks at newspapers there is a visible timeline. <br />
You can go back and look very easily and see what came in. <br />
An advisory as you can see in the blog is very noticable. <br />
Getty and a few other agencies put out advisories too, but, Reuters has a lot of subscribers and these advisories are much easier to see and to look back to see what the original image looked like.<br />
</p>...pat. commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef01348026e4b0970c2010-04-26T15:16:35Z2010-04-26T15:16:35Z...pat.http://www.patanderson.netThank you, Paul, for correcting the notion put forth by a few that this is an HDR image, and for...<p>Thank you, Paul, for correcting the notion put forth by a few that this is an HDR image, and for defining what HDR is.</p>MC commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801dd7f8970c2010-04-25T04:29:41Z2010-04-25T04:29:41ZMCMany people must have realized this photo was enhanced. I immediately saw that it looked artificial and assumed that someone...<p>Many people must have realized this photo was enhanced. I immediately saw that it looked artificial and assumed that someone had used a "watercolour" effect in Photoshop. I don't do much work with digital photos, and if I spotted this, many people must have.</p>Ad Man commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecedf3f4970b2010-04-25T04:14:44Z2010-04-25T04:14:44ZAd ManThe comment about press curves possibly being applied is a relevant one. Because of the nature of newsprint being a...<p>The comment about press curves possibly being applied is a relevant one. Because of the nature of newsprint being a dull, sponge-like surface, upon which most photographic images lose detail and become "muddy" or "washed out", most newspaper images are converted in pre-press prep to a higher contrast, sharpened, more saturated version that compensates for the deficiencies of the paper stock, and for the expected dot gain on the press. It is conceivable that an image was incorrectly converted and distributed. </p>
<p>That said, it is too much of a stretch to look at this image and attribute the lack of fidelity to a technical error. In my opinion, someone pushed this image grotesquely in the processing.</p>aberry commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecedf057970b2010-04-25T04:10:26Z2010-04-25T04:10:26ZaberryAs if words were only ever offered as the highest possible objective fidelity. gimme a rest.<p>As if words were only ever offered as the highest possible objective fidelity. gimme a rest.</p>paul commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133eced99fd970b2010-04-25T02:35:27Z2010-04-25T02:35:27ZpaulHDR, high dynamic range photography. You need to take multiple exposures of what you are photographing and the use software...<p></p>
<p>HDR, high dynamic range photography. You need to take multiple exposures of what you are photographing and the use software to piece them together. You end up with correct exposures for every tonal range. And you generally need to use a tripod so everything lines up</p>
<p>this is NOT an HDR image, because the ash cloud is constantly moving and you would never be able to line up the different exposures. It's over saturated and someone cranked the contrast way up.</p>timothy commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801d5b44970c2010-04-25T02:13:43Z2010-04-25T02:13:43ZtimothyAs Andrew noted, is the Star okay with black and white photos? I see them in newspapers from time to...<p>As Andrew noted, is the Star okay with black and white photos? I see them in newspapers from time to time and they look absolutely nothing like what I see in real life.....</p>Robert B commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133eced7ee9970b2010-04-25T02:05:55Z2010-04-25T02:05:55ZRobert BI don't see what the big deal is. Oh no, the colour of the picture is slightly different, the picture...<p>I don't see what the big deal is. Oh no, the colour of the picture is slightly different, the picture is a lie! It would have been a bigger deal if someone photoshopped smoke and ash into it.</p>bruce commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801d4eed970c2010-04-25T02:00:12Z2010-04-25T02:00:12ZbruceSHOULDN'T be surprised. pretty regular, i reckon. look at how NASA photos are enhanced....<p>SHOULDN'T be surprised. pretty regular, i reckon. look at how NASA photos are enhanced....</p>Isaac commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801d4745970c2010-04-25T01:51:30Z2010-04-25T01:51:30ZIsaac@ Andrew He wasn't capturing what was there? So what's in the photograph wasn't really there? While one can appreciate...<p>@ Andrew</p>
<p>He wasn't capturing what was there? So what's in the photograph wasn't really there?</p>
<p>While one can appreciate your rehash of Susan Sontag's arguments that choices to "alter" photographs are really just a matter of degree because such choices occur at every stage in photographic production, surely you don't mean to imply that all concerns about photographic manipulation are equivalent (e.g. adding something to a photograph via Photoshop that wasn't really there vs. choice of film). Sure, photographs are "interpretations" - I think this is the point of the article. A choice needs to be made about whether one forges photographs or not. Choices about toning are probably not as disconcerting as this, but minimizing out-of-camera production is meant to set a standard that minimizes the potential of the more problematic photographic "interpretations." <br />
</p>jeeff commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133eced4213970b2010-04-25T01:09:35Z2010-04-25T01:09:35Zjeeffit looks like HDR, the cheapest digital photography trick in the book. the fact that it went through so many...<p>it looks like HDR, the cheapest digital photography trick in the book. the fact that it went through so many hands, making it out into the wild without being properly exposed (guffaw) is really sad.</p>vsd commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801c9b22970c2010-04-24T23:06:59Z2010-04-24T23:06:59ZvsdI wish the music industry had similar standards to CD mastering. What we see in the toned picture reminds me...<p>I wish the music industry had similar standards to CD mastering. What we see in the toned picture reminds me of the dynamic compression on modern CDs - they sound as the toned picture looks - artificial, without nuance.</p>Red Herring commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecec91c3970b2010-04-24T22:09:06Z2010-04-24T22:09:06ZRed HerringWas not the Reuters usage of Photoshop "enhanced" images already a reason of the scandal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Hajj_photographs_controversy?<p>Was not the Reuters usage of Photoshop "enhanced" images already a reason of the scandal:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Hajj_photographs_controversy?" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Hajj_photographs_controversy?</a><br />
</p>Herb Cober commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801bcc52970c2010-04-24T19:32:02Z2010-04-24T19:32:02ZHerb CoberSeeing used to be believing. Not so anymore.<p>Seeing used to be believing. Not so anymore.</p>Anonymous commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecebf122970b2010-04-24T19:27:50Z2010-04-24T19:27:50ZAnonymous Ummm, it's pretty obvious that the "toned" image (correct name for this widely used technique is HDR) was post processed....<p>Ummm, it's pretty obvious that the "toned" image (correct name for this widely used technique is HDR) was post processed. I am absolutely shocked that some professionals working in the media field didn't recognize this... </p>rms commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801bc12d970c2010-04-24T19:16:28Z2010-04-24T19:16:28ZrmsThe Star's policy permits burning and dodging? Good luck finding anyone under 40 who knows what that means, or who...<p>The Star's policy permits burning and dodging? Good luck finding anyone under 40 who knows what that means, or who has ever seen an enlarger.</p>Albin commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0134801bb0a7970c2010-04-24T18:57:14Z2010-04-24T18:57:14ZAlbinWe can all do this with our family photos using consumer software. The digital camera itself is half computer and...<p>We can all do this with our family photos using consumer software. The digital camera itself is half computer and the rest is done in a regular computer. I'd be less worried about "over the top" toning of source images, than about images that crop out relevant information or are manipulated to put in things that weren't there. </p>geoff commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef0133ecebcd55970b2010-04-24T18:43:01Z2010-04-24T18:43:01ZgeoffPhotographs will always be interpretations. Lucas Jackson, you're not capturing what was there, you're capturing your interpretation of what happened...<p>Photographs will always be interpretations. Lucas Jackson, you're not capturing what was there, you're capturing your interpretation of what happened by choosing to set up your camera in a certain way. It would have been possible to capture the Iceland photo on slide film with different colour temperature slide film, and process it in a way to enhance colours and contrast. Photography will always be an interpretation. What about black and white film? When's the last time your eyes saw in black and white? Even by just using black and white film you've made a choice to present it in a way. Since photography started there's been image manipulation, and there will always be. Even the crop you might choose manipulates the viewer into thinking something that he may not have thought of if that crop was, even ever so slightly, different.</p>Andrew commented on 'Volcano picture erupts modern darkroom dilemma'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341bf8f353ef013480165dc7970c2010-04-23T19:47:29Z2010-04-23T19:47:29ZAndrewhttp://annefleetwood.wordpress.comI like the original version better. The toned version looks weird.<p>I like the original version better. The toned version looks weird.</p>