We want to extend a huge thanks to everyone who shared their amazing photography with us for the Black & White Winter Photo Contest! After more than 70 submissions, our judges have decided on three finalists. Vote for your favorite photo today – the winner will receive four tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago!
All votes must be in by March 11 and our contest winner will be announced on March 12.
- The Enjoy Illinois Team
Winter Crossing by Brian Crissie, this photo was taken at Cantigny Golf Course in Wheaton.
Heavenly Bench by Richard Susanto, photo taken at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs, IL.
On the Boardwalk by Matt Vanderzalm, This photo was taken at 63rd Street Beach, Chicago.
Beautiful!
Let me preface this by saying that “Heavenly Bench” is a fine piece of art. I have no issue with creating such a digital manipulation, nor do I think it is dishonest at all. However, I do have a problem with a photographer who does such a thing and then makes a point of saying it wasn’t created this way.
Beams of light are not formed in the way the beam appears in this photo. To any experienced photographer, it is clear that the beam was added into the photo using Photoshop or similar software. Again, fine art photography is not photojournalism, it is art, and I have no issue with a photographer who takes artistic liberties in creating his or her own personal vision.
Ansel Adams is perhaps the most famous black and white nature photographer of all time and he spent hours adjusting, dodging, and burning his photos in the dark room. A favorite quote of his is: “you don’t take a photograph, you make it.” The difference is that Ansel was completely honest and forthcoming about his techniques. A perfect example is the removal of “LP” from one of his photos:
http://focusonphotography.blogspot.com/2008/07/ansel-adams-and-lone-pine-photograph.html
I emplore Richard Susanto to follow Ansel’s lead. To say that he was walking along and saw a “stream of light … fall right onto the bench” may impress those who do not know any better, but those who do know better will be far more impressed by a more Ansel-like approach.
[...] Enjoy Illinois blog is having public voting on their winter photo contest. Head over there – see the three finalists selected by judges (FD: I was one of the judges) – and then [...]