On Sunday, I showed you one of my photographs and sent you to my blog to discuss it, asking questions about the decisions I made and the effect of those decisions. Thanks to everyone who chimed in! The point was to get you thinking about the all the many choices we make in order to create one photograph. I promised you a video discussion of that image and you can see that by clicking the link or the image below.
However, for this to make sense, I need to quickly tell you about the context for this video. In my quest to help you do more than just use a camera and make the strongest photographs you can, I’m about to offer my ImageWork course again and the video you’re about to see is the complete seventh lesson (next week I’ll also show you the first).
I created ImageWork to address one simple need: the necessity of understanding the incredible possibilities of our tools to change the look and feel of our photographs.
Our tastes will all be different but the tools and the choices we make with those tools are amazing; It’s just that many of us aren’t using them as powerfully or as intentionally as we could be.
I’ll tell you more later but for now I want to introduce you to the idea of how to look at making images a little more intentionally, all the way from your vision to decisions made with the camera and to refining the final image in the digital darkroom (in this case, Adobe Lightroom, but this is about why the changes were made and what effect they have, and can be applied no matter what program you use). It’s how these choices all work together to make a final photograph.
Put the coffee on and take a few minutes to watch this video, it’s one of the lessons (lesson 07) from my ImageWork course.
This Sunday, November 10, 2024, I’ll send you more details about the remaining 17 videos that make up the ImageWork course and introduce you to some great bonus resources.
This is one of the most practical courses I’ve ever offered, and it will change the way you make photographs. I can’t wait to show it to you. Until then, whether you intend to enroll or not, this one’s on me—I hope it gives you some insight.
I promised I’d draw a random winner from those who participated in the discussion about the image I posted on Sunday. The prize is a full enrollment in ImageWork (and ImageStory too, but more on that later) and that winner is Denice Woyski.
For the Love of the Photograph,
David
Comments
Thanks David, this is very informative, we can learn a lot always from you.
Dear David,
Thank you for sharing this insightful post and video about the decisions that shape a photograph. I love how you emphasize the importance of intentionality in photography, from the initial vision to the final image in post-processing. As photographers, we are constantly making decisions about the tools we use and how we apply them to bring our ideas to life. Your ImageWork course sounds like a fantastic resource for photographers looking to refine their craft and make more deliberate choices with their tools.
Your approach to educating others about the power of these choices in photography is truly inspiring, and I look forward to learning more about your upcoming lessons. I’m sure your course will help many photographers, whether they are beginners or seasoned professionals, elevate their skills and create more impactful images.
Thanks again for sharing this valuable information with the community, and congratulations to Denice on winning the course enrollment!
Best regards, Katya Bulgakova
Thank you for that, Katya.
Maybe we need to get back to that Hasselblad in the corner of your video.
Hello,
Split toning is no longer available in the latest version or LRC. It’s replaced by color grading.
I suppose it works the same ?
Almost exactly, though there is more control now. Previously you could grade only highlights and shadows now you can do highlights, midtones and shadows.
Great video, and um…wow, thanks so much!
David, I have been meaning to thank you for your excellent and fun instructional courses and videos! I’ve taken several classes from you, including your recent Shoot What It Feels Like.
In the “SWIFL” class, I chose to add on the extra post-processing videos. Well worth the extra cost! Very good and so helpful!
This video is similar by walking us through your thought process and edits. Very thought-provoking, informative and educational!
My crystal ball says that I’m going to be taking another class from you very soon…like ImageWork :).
This is so helpful!! I have been to Ethiopia and can relate to the setting you were working with. Your explanation and guided video just makes sense to me – enough sense for me to “try” and “experiment” both in the setting and after with editing.
Thanks so much!
Thank you David your taking us through your steps and the accompanied explanations were
great.
Many thanks. I really do like listening to you and learning from you. Makes me feel that I want to go further with the technics and creativity. ( sorry for my English…. I’m French ) . Lucie
Brilliant work, this video. You touch on so much and your voice and pacing is excellent.
Hello David. Thank you for the very interesting and educational demonstration. I don’t use LR, but I can implement most of your ideas.
Best regards from the other side of the globe, Rolf.
Lightroom is an amazing tool that I always use, I have tried On1 Photo Raw, but for speed of use and control, I prefer Lightroom.
Thank you David! Absolutely fascinating!
Thank you for sharing the video. It was very helpful to hear your choices both in the taking and the processing of the image. Some very good points to remember. An excellent exercise altogether.
quite interesting to hear you explain in understandable language your choices – very informative/educational