Emulation - is it a good thing?

[Dagwood]

I enjoy PhotoPlus every month but like all things it's a bit like the Curate's Egg. This month is no different - lots of good info on techniques but did we have to have so many articles based on the themes Take pictures like.... Turn your photos into... like those made by ....style of....etc. Details? Ok,here we go:
1. like Ansel Adams
2. mimic Martin Parr (really would many people want to?)
3. emulate Erwin Blumenfield's..shot
4. Recreate ..by Man Ray
5. Use Kertesz's techniques (nice girl, shame about the treatment)
6. in the style of Bernd and Hilda Becher
7. create a Hockney joiner
Yes , I'm getting old and grumpy but I think this sort of thing spread out over the months would be better than taking over the whole Skills section. I can enjoy the techniques (probably would learn a lot ) but don't like the thought that I'm recreating someone else's work.
Others will probably disagree but, Heyho!, it's a forum isn't it?
Dagwood

[hallsworthb]

I think it is an excellent thing - I had great fun with the Dragan Effect in the June issue and produced a wonderful - if Orange - effect.

That said, by the time I had finished it, I had probably done enough to satisfy my yearning for the peculiar that Month.

I haven't tried any of them this month, largely because there are so many that I can't summon the enthusiasm. Perhaps I will later, but one per month would be great.

Now CS5 techniques I love - Bring them on!

Bob

[Carly Drew]

Great to hear your thoughts!

Generally, we try to theme the Skills section each month so that it is easy for people to look up particular tutorials in their back issues. Last month was 'Famous Photographers', the month previous to that was 'RAW', the month before that was 'Portraits', and so on.

I am currently in the process of cataloging every tutorial from the past 38 issues of PhotoPlus and not only would it be a lot more difficult for me to list them, but it would also be a lot more difficult for others to find them, if they weren't themed each month. So, for example, if you know that all the tutorials about RAW were in one issue, it would be easier to find the specific tutorial you want by locating just that one issue, rather than having to flick through all of the Skills pages completely.

We really hoped that the 'Famous Photographers' theme would introduce our readers to some snappers they've never heard of before and encourage them, not to copy their style completely, but to think about which effects they can apply to their own photos and to be creative! I personally feel that too often, many of us strive to produce commercially viable shots rather than images that are artistically impressive, so it was a very fun set of tutorials to create.

[hallsworthb]

Originally Posted by Carly Drew

I am currently in the process of cataloging every tutorial from the past 38 issues of PhotoPlus

Now that is VERY good news! I have them all, but wouldn't even try to find a year 1 tutorial.

The sooner the better, Carly!

Bob

[Carly Drew]

Originally Posted by hallsworthb

Now that is VERY good news! I have them all, but wouldn't even try to find a year 1 tutorial.

The sooner the better, Carly!

Bob

Oh I'm on it! And some CS5 tutorials too - can't get enough of it at the moment!

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by Carly Drew

Great to hear your thoughts!

Generally, we try to theme the Skills section each month so that it is easy for people to look up particular tutorials in their back issues. Last month was 'Famous Photographers', the month previous to that was 'RAW', the month before that was 'Portraits', and so on.

I am currently in the process of cataloging every tutorial from the past 38 issues of PhotoPlus and not only would it be a lot more difficult for me to list them, but it would also be a lot more difficult for others to find them, if they weren't themed each month. So, for example, if you know that all the tutorials about RAW were in one issue, it would be easier to find the specific tutorial you want by locating just that one issue, rather than having to flick through all of the Skills pages completely.

We really hoped that the 'Famous Photographers' theme would introduce our readers to some snappers they've never heard of before and encourage them, not to copy their style completely, but to think about which effects they can apply to their own photos and to be creative! I personally feel that too often, many of us strive to produce commercially viable shots rather than images that are artistically impressive, so it was a very fun set of tutorials to create.

Good response Carly,I really must learn to think outside the box! Good luck with your cataloging.
Thanks
Dagwood