Before and After

I participate in a couple of weekly memes, or carnivals, or whatevers… that focus on my photography skills.

The best part of these features is that the other people who participate share the love. As much as I try to visit each blog and leave a comment, they also come by here to give me input. It’s a nice ego boost, and I’ve met some incredibly talented artists.

Here’s where I may get into a sensitive area… first allow me to digress…

A few years ago I was very active in martial arts. (I know! who knew?) I was a nationally ranked competitor (3rd degree black belt, former state champion), a certified instructor, and a nationally recognized tournament judge. One of the first tenets we were taught as teachers (both as classroom instructors and judges) was to offer both constructive criticism and realistic praise.

We were told to avoid generalizations such as ‘amazing,’ ‘wonderful,’ and ‘great.’ If the students and competitors were all these things starting out, there was no room for improvement.

If we had to make corrections to forms or technique, we would first praise something that was being done correctly, then offer positive ways to improve.

Now, back to the beginning…

While I love, and I mean LOVE, all the flattering comments I receive… I’d also love to get constructive appraisal – ‘criticism’ has such a harsh connotation. I would welcome suggestions on how I could improve on my photography techniques, or editing effects, that I can use to take my art to a higher level.

I’m guilty of hyperbole too. When I leave a comment that something I’ve seen is ‘amazing,’ or ‘stunning,’ or ‘glorious,’ I mean it… but, I also sometimes find something I might have done differently. Not so much better, just different. I hesitate to include that in a comment, because I’m not sure how it would be received. And, the last thing I want to do is offend, or make someone feel their work is somehow… less.

So, here is my idea. Once a week (for now, each Saturday) I will post a photo here showing both a straight out of camera image, and post production edits. When possible, I’ll include:

• Camera used
• Camera settings
• Lens used
• Editing program used
• Editing techniques

A point & shoot, a camera phone, a digital SLR, or a film camera… all types of cameras are welcome. There are several free editing programs available such as Picnik or Picasa, or more elaborate ones like Photoshop and Aperture… or nothing at all. It’s all good.

I invite anyone who would be interested in participating to publish before and after shots, linking here to your post permalink (not your homepage), and then visiting the other participants to offer your honest – yet, respectful – critiques on their finished photos. That also means if you like the photos just as it is, you don’t have to try to find something to change.

A participating post doesn’t have to be posted on Saturday, I’m just putting up the link on that day.

Maybe we can learn something that will truly make our photos amazing, or stunning or glorious. Please, check back on Saturday for my first Before/After link up.