Frustration & Fun

First Attempt Result      

 One of my favorite Michael Jordan quotes is,"I can      accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept   not trying."

 This week's blog is about failing and trying. The photo to the left is the result of my first failed attempt to produce a Pep Ventosa syle image. The Ventosa technique, when done   properly, yields an impressionistic fine art image. The image is produced by taking several photographs of the same   subject while moving around the subject capturing it   using different angles then artistically blending those photos  in post processing into a single image. This is a very  simplistic description of the process since it can be achieved   by other methods of camera movement. I wanted to use this   process after viewing his work.

                                                  https://www.lumas.com/artist/pep_ventosa/

Second Round Result

The process that I followed was found in a recent article in Digital Photography School. https://digital-photography-school.com/pep-ventosa-inspired-still-life/ It describes how to create a still life using this method. Instead of me moving about the vase, I moved the vase in small increments within the same spot on the table. The article recommended taking at least ten images, but through a combination of errors I took only eight photos stupidly thinking less is more. Though I created each of the eight images using the same exposure parameters and lighting, I balanced settings on each photo individually. I then loaded them into One1 Photo Raw 2023 and created a layer stack eventually aligning and merging the layers to get the effect --- but not the effect I expected. 

For my second attempt, I created a set of thirteen new photos. This time, I adjusted the opacity differently on each image guided by whether I thought that the yellow flower would play a more dominant or less dominant role in the final image. I didn't attempt to use any of the blending processes the author suggested or may have applied to select images. The reason I didn't do this is that I rarely use layers and have limited skill to manage 13 images at the same time. However, the result in round two (above image) was more to my liking, but still lacking in that Pep Ventosa look.

Single Image of 13 Stacked

The image to the left is one of the thirteen images used in my second attempt. Generally, this is the type of photograph I create because I do not enjoy spending more time in post processing. However, I still want to learn to use the Pep Ventosa technique because I find the result exciting and unique. Through this experience, I have come to understand that curiosity and creativity are first cousins--- and they can get you into deep trouble just like real first cousins.

As I plan my third image, I will likely take a total of fifteen images and remove all the greens to concentrate on a single stem and flower. With growing experience using the layers process, I believe that I will not let the details overwhelm me. In the future when I see a photographer who skillfully uses the Ventosa technique, I will remember my failures and hold a greater regard for their work. Perhaps, I will be more cautious about labeling similar photos as "computer art". Essentially, all photographic images are an attempt to communicate with others and although some speak using an unfamiliar language they deserve to be heard too.