An American Alligator 
is showing off
I did get a lot of emails about some of my images – so I take this opportunity to respond in more detail.
Heck yeah – of course there is postwork involved to arrive at those final results. However – when shooting them
I did already visualize how I would treat them in post processing. In this example – the result would have been
impossible in broad sunlight out in the open. In this case however these guys were doing their thing close
to the banks of the lake with the dark bushes in back and the amount of additional "info" like plants
was minimal to begin with – opening the chance to get where I wanted to go.
My tools in postwork in shots like these are the same great photographers in the past painstakingly applied in
the physical darkroom – dodging, burning – the sponge. No "Special Effects" or altering filters. Everything you
see in the picture was there exactly as it is now. Taken away is what was not necessary – or better, what the
human eye does not really notice, when taking in a scene like that, the more sensitive sensor of a camera
however records. The faint greens of plants in the background for example.
The question and often center of discussion is – is a reduction to the essence as I applied it here legitimate?
I guess the answer is – since there is no law against it – hell yeah! Or (that’s my personal opinion) if you’re
a purist that does not allow for an alteration of an image – my question is – what are you doing here? Each and
image that you see on the web has gone through some kind of post processing, that results in a change to
the original. Period. My goal in photography is to arrive at that point, that I experienced through the viewfinder.
My eyes do not even remotely match that what a sensor records and displays on the screen. I see much
less and when I observe an animal in the wild – my brain is filtering information that is not needed, leaving
me to observe what I am watching.
While I will be glad to get your input – here’s my bottom line, which holds true for all of my shots. I post ‘em
as I saw ‘em. I’m happy with it. And since no one is paying me for it – that is all that counts.
Cheers, Klaus
Great points you bring up….I completely agree! The whole point is to make the photos as good as possible and by doing this, you definitely got them there. Maybe one out of 400 photos are at their best in the ‘purest’ state…but why waste the other 399 photos when there are tools out there to allow you to create that ‘perfect photo’? And you’re correct, most edits we use (at least you and I) can be done in the darkroom anyways, so why not!?
Anyways, thanks for posting this…and I really hope you stick to your convictions…because this look is original and looks GREAT!
All the best,
Matt
Thanks for explaining the philosophy behind your work. I can see your point (now).
Dinas last blog post..With Ethiopian-Israelis on Jerusalem Day
Whatever you say Sir Klaus. In most times, I look at your pictures they look very real to me. No artificiality but only excellent quality. No doubt must be due to your High Tech Cam compared to mine when things get worse, disposable cam. Thanks for creating SkyWatch for US. That is without A (with emphasis).
Well stated Klaus! Last time I checked, this is a free country where folks can post what they like.
I enjoy your photographs, not only as reality but as art work. I have not studied post processing as you describe but it is an art form most definitely. Like any artist, you have to picture the final result in your mind when you take the shot. I am just beginning to consciously check my backgrounds when I frame a photograph and consider what the complete picture will look like in its final form.
Thanks for all your help and the images you share with us. You are an inspiration!
Larry Jordans last blog post..A Nuttall’s Woodpecker And The Ospreys For Bird Photography Weekly
Those two are so beautiful no wonder they are making quite a splash.
Arijas last blog post..SkyWatch ~ 34 Just One More Day
Wow! Amazing capture. It looks like they were doing a little syncronized swimming.
2sweetnsaxys last blog post..Skywatch Friday
I should have read your post first. I was so captured by the photo I didn’t even think about the text.
What a shame you have to defend or explain your photography. To me photography is an art form. Who cares if a photo is edited, tweaked, altered, etc. if the artist/photographer’s finished product creates the desired image and/or effect?
I don’t care if your photos are out of the camera or not. They’re mind blowing and YOU ARE THE MAN!
2sweetnsaxys last blog post..Skywatch Friday
Love all your shots. This one is fantastic. They remind me of synchronized swimmers.
Paz
Pazs last blog post..Bicycling on an Early Sunday Morning