Re: [APML]: Astrophotography or Astro-Art?

[Jerry Lodriguss <jml@astropix.com>]

The Astro-Photography Mailing List
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>I am not saying Ansel did not alter or did alter. My impression was he
>approached his work with a truism of sorts. I can not argue that point. 

Hi David,

You originally said:

>I do not see burning and dodging
>as manipulation. For me manipulation is to alter content.

I replied that if you make the sky black during the daytime this is
altering content, and this is what Adams did through filtration and buring
during printing.  You can call Adams a realist, but I don't. I still like
his work.




>Do filters alter content. Does burning or dodging alter content? 

Well sure it does. If I burn a distracting background or person out of
existence in a print, which as a news photographer I am sure you have done
(as have I), then you have altered the content.



>Does
>the traditional "perception" not definition, of art suggest manipulation
>in the form of altering subject content.


Of course.  All art is manipulated.  Picasso said "art is lies that tell
the truth".




>Curious though, why is his image called "Moon Over Hernandez"?

It's "Moonrise, Hernandez New Mexico."  Haven't you seen the print?



>My original question is to ask if astrophotography is art or science?
>I perceive it as an art form base on a hobbyist's interest. Are you an
>Astronomer creating images of pleasure? Or, are you creating images of
>pleasure by using the tools of Astronomy?

Definitely the latter.

Take care,

Jerry
mailto:jml@astropix.com
Web page: http://www.astrosurf.com/astropix/index.html 
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