IMAGE MANIPULATION
Image manipulation is exactly as the name suggests and involves the manipulation, alteration, or enhancement of a picture in post-production. Below I have used 4 different techniques to radically alter pictures I have taken.
None of the images I have chosen below are from portrait shoots, (unless you count the posing flamingo!). The reason behind this is that I’m unsure as to how far is an acceptable level of “enhancement” and at what point it would become misrepresentation. This is very much a problem of the modern age. The way in which we communicate is rapidly becoming more visual – and seeing is not necessarily believing. If we use editing software to remove blemishes from a photograph is that acceptable? The images below have all been edited or enhanced, from the removal of redeye on the top left all the way up to the addition of teeth in the bottom right, at which point does it change from being artistic and become deceptive? Just because we can doesn’t mean we should, are we giving the current generation unrealistic role models to aspire to?
If a picture paints a thousand words what happens when you are comparing yourself to 1000 pictures like the ones below?
Selective colour
In these mages I have used selective colour to really emphasise the focal point of the image, by using various selection tools in photoshop I’ve only left part of the picture in colour forcing the viewer to focus on what I want them to see.
Gradient map
The second set of images are done using gradient mapping, this can completely change an image, (The top picture is of a honeybee on a flower, but with the massive alteration in colour I think it’s impossible to tell!)
Vintage
The vintage shots were all taken in 2021 but by using a combination of HDR toning, sepia filter and adding an old paper texture they appear to be a lot older.
Symmetry
In the final set of pictures, I have used layers to create symmetrical patterns from the shots I’ve taken. By duplicating and flipping them over the same proportion of an image mirrored against itself both vertically and horizontally makes an interesting pattern. You could also use layers to create a montage, by taking several shots and merging them together.
