Most photographers have a defining moment in their photography life that they see as the point of transformation.
Whether or not it's from a novice to advanced level, from amateur to professional or from shooting in automatic to manual mode...
They finally discovered their priority to enable them to succeed in what they're doing.
For me, it came many years after I picked up my first digital camera.
Inverness Castle - shot with Canon Ixus 400 (SOOC)
I still remember that time when I was traveling in Scotland, I was sight-seeing in Inverness (a town in the North of Scotland). One of my itinerary was to visit the Inverness Castle.
I couldn't remember how the castle look...
Maybe it was because of its distractingly bright color. But most importantly, it's because of an interesting conversation I had with a stranger there.
It was golden hour and I was taking photos of the castle. By the way, I didn’t know golden hour was the best time to photograph that time.
I was there at the right time purely by chance.
As I was minding my own business, an elderly man walked towards me. He was also taking photos of the castle with his camera.
Embracing the SOCC Culture
He smiled and asked what camera I was using. I told him I was using a Canon Ixus 400, which was a digital camera (digital camera was fairly new at the time).
He then asked if I edit my photos in Photoshop.
Being young and naive, I took that question as an offence and insult to my integrity as a photographer.
Now...you might think I was just being very dramatic.
You are absolutely right!
But let me explain…
I was a beginner...it was my first digital camera.
Like most beginners, I bought a camera for the purpose of having fun, a hobby if you like. I took it with me where ever I go.
I took pictures whenever I like...there were no thoughts on the subject or composition. I certainly didn’t edit my photos in Photoshop.
I didn’t even know what post-processing means!
Besides, I was a firm believer of SOOC (straight out of camera). I despised anyone who put their photos through a computer, even if what they did was minimal.
Little Did I know I Was Wrong
I thought all images should be as natural as possible without being tampered with any form of enhancement.
With that in mind...what do you think I said to that man?
Well, I didn't start an argument that's for sure!
I replied with a stern tone: “No, I don’t do that and would never do that”.
Now, that sounded pretty stupid when I look back in time.
But the truth is, the more I think of it, the more I couldn’t help but giggle at myself.
Not only I’ve learned what post-processing is, I have a strong opinion about post-production. I feel that all images should always be post-processed.
Such an irony, right?
Sinking Into The HDR Hole
Several years later, I bought a DSLR and got addicted to HDR photography. From this point onwards, my photography style had been what I called brainless HDR. (Read: My story)
Basically, I shot bracket exposure on everything. My HDR workflow only involved merging multiple exposures using HDR software.
That was it!
Can you imagine how my images were?
In the process of figuring out what photography means to me, I stumbled across an online tutorial on how to create HDR with blending.
I was really amazed by how natural and stunning blended images look. The technique itself has so much flexibility and potential that it can be adapted easily to any photography style.
By the way, this technique is called exposure blending!
I was literally blown away on discovering this technique.
One of my first images in exposure blending
Exposure blending totally changed the way I create HDR images.
It felt like I was being liberated from HDR software. I no longer need to rely on it in my workflow. I learned everything I could on this subject and also experimented myself in Photoshop.
Exposure blending was my turning point because it had changed the way I see HDR photography.
Knowing that exposure blending is the way forward for me, I’m more focused over the years and have developed my personal style that defined my work.
What is Your Defining Moment?
Everyone has a defining moment that change their life in a significant way.
Whether or not it happened in your career or personal life, you know the road ahead will never be the same ever again.
What’s your defining moment in photography?
Let’s share it in the comments below...I really like to hear it from you!
Yes that’s true post production is very important part of photography. Thanks for sharing your nice memory.
Hi, Abdullah 🙂 Agree, post-production is just as important as taking the shot!
Thank you so much this is amazing and beautiful post I like it my friend good job brother.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Have a great day!
I like this article a lot because I was in the same shoes as yours before. I remember very clearly how everyone was so obsessed with Trey Cliff’s HDR tutorials and workshops. He definitely made tons of money out of HDR and eventually moved to New Zealand with his family.
HDR was dead after the introduction of Exposure Blending and I sometimes feel noxious looking at my past HDR images.
Hey Freddy, I’m glad my story resonates with yours. I think Trey has moved on from HDR now, or at least he expanded from HDR.
In my personal opinion, tone-mapping is dead…the way of creating HDR has changed to exposure blending. I often feel the same when I look back, which is why I started re-process some of my early HDR images for “salvation”. 😆
Experienced photographer capture this photo. Really sometimes photograph can be change to mood.
Absolutely agreed 🙂