ADOBE LIGHTROOM AND VISIONS

Adobe Lightroom and Visions
 
If you look at for example an iphone, it was not a new creation when the first model entered the market. It existed long before it was launched as an Iphone. The Iphone consists of materials from nature, and the phone was created because Steve Jobs had the idea and the vision to create that type of phone.
 
No one has ever seen an original painting. Vincent van Gogh once said: ”First I dream my painting, then I paint my dream”. The original idea was in the mind of the artist.
 
It is important with visions in nature photography also. A finished photography is not a replica of the “real” world. (Maybe for those who has a stiff and technical approach to the field) But for us who lives in the visionary realm it is different.
When I go out in the field to take for example landscape photography I bring with me an idea in my head, a vision, about what I am after. It can be based upon local knowledge about the location I am in, combined with a landscape analysis who contains many elements like seasons, weather, ice conditions, time of day, water levels, snow conditions, and the elements on the location, and so on. It takes time to learn a location and its different qualities and to get into the spirit of the place.
 
In addition to field knowledge, I have learned the creative development tool Adobe Lightroom. I think it is the best tool for outdoor photographers.  When I take my picture out in the field, and know how I can develop my photograph to match my inner visions.
It takes time to become a master, but the more you practice the better you get.
 
Enclosed are two photographs. It is the same image. One is an undeveloped RAW-file, and the other is developed. The undeveloped image is dull and lacks contrast, color, and tone. The developed image is adjusted after my ideas and visions, based on the knowledge about the natural world, and how I can develop the image in Adobe Lightroom.
All the final elements are in the final image, but you must learn how to develop your photograph. In the days of film we could buy films with different qualities in tone, contrast, and color. A RAW-file contains all the old films in one file, and you can develop it in what direction you prefer. Equal to Steve Jobs Iphone, all the elements were in the original photograph, but I had to visualize the final image to develop it where I wanted it according to my vision. In the development process I do not add something that was not there in the original photograph, or subtract anything that was in the original photograph. That is why I compose my image in the camera out in the field, and avoid including elements that I do not want in my image.
All the wanted elements, as seen in the final photograph, are in the original photograph, and I just had to refine the image in the development process.
 
Many people say, “I am not creative”. That is nonsense. Everyone has a creative force within, but they do not allow it to shine through because of the everyday noise, activities, and indoctrinated and unconscious behavioral patterns. If you reduce the everyday noise, walk away from it, and then you can unlock and release your creative force.
Most of the physical world is explored here on earth but within yourself you have unexplored continents if your dare explore them. They are hidden behind the everyday non-productive things you do on a daily basis.
 
That is why a photo tour or workshop is and arena for creativity. There you can do only the real thing, be creative, expand your visions, and take new photographs.
 
Here are the camera settings I used on the image:
ISO 50, aperture f/22, 0,5 second exposure time.
 
Equipment:
Canon EOS 5D mk2, Canon 16-35mm lens, cable release, Gitzo carbon tripod with BH55 ballhead from Really Right Stuff. In addition I used a 2 stop hard edge Galen Rowell graduated neutral density filter to balance the light.
 
In my online photo course, The Outdoor Photographer Accelerator, you can learn about
Adobe Lightroom and other topics within the outdoor photography field.
 
If you join one of my photo tours or workshop, you will be given free access to the course. You can also buy the course and study on your own in your home, and practice in your nearby surroundings.
 
Sounds like a stretch?
There are no truths in outdoor photography, and you will learn step by step throughout the 6 modules in the course. You can also ask questions inside the course.
If you join one of our tours or workshops we will be there and help you in whatever photographic area you want to improve.
Locked up inside you there are ideas and visions, but maybe you don’t see them right know. But once you start you will surprise yourself, and you will need a telescope to look back at the spot you are today.
 
Read more about our programs here on the site.
 
To your success,
Øyvind Martinsen