by Gareth Harper » Tue May 06, 2014 8:21 pm
Firstly thanks for running the competition Susie.
I am somebody who's quite passionate about snaps.
I think photographs are, well just that, they should stand alone.
It doesn't matter what camera or lens you used, and in a competition there should be no need to state what equipment you used.
When ever I post pictures online I strip out all that information out, ie the exif details. I want people to look at the image not technical information.
I also don't understand the statement - photo editing is permitted. If I shoot digital I shoot raw files, without editing they could never become photographs. If I shoot film, say b&w film which I used to love to use, I am already editing as I process the film, the choice of developer and my preference for creating flat low contrast negatives. In the darkroom I'd select the paper I want, the contrast, I might even pre-expose the paper a little, then dodge and burn varying the exposure across the paper. I might also use a toner, sometimes I'd split tone using two toners. It's all editing. Editing is to be encouraged, not discouraged. Film or digital cameras do not see as we see, nor are they emotional, do you want to recreate what you saw, or what you felt when you took the picture, through editing you can do either.
I'd often tell people the difference between a dull run of the mill snaps and a stunning photograph is often in the finish - ie the editing.
I also later when doing photo jobs, well I'd ink over the camera logos, scratch em off or use tape to cover em. It made life easier, quite a lot of people do it.
I can be quite interested in equipment when I want to, I'm very fussy about the gear I purchase and I want it to last, but I don't want to state what camera I'm using when I post an image.
Anybody who wants to know can just ask. Same if you are learning (every day is a school day), anybody can ask or start a thread. I've certainly learned loads over the years from the wonder that is the internet.
But naw as a snapper I just don't like stating routinely, what camera, lens, ISO, shutter speed etc etc next to a picture.