Soft Images

**AggieDad** · 06-04-2018, 06:47 PM - **1 Like**

We're on the road and have stopped at a couple of museums – specifically The Art Institute of Chicago and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Well, what I saw was disturbing. Soft images. Lack of sharpness. Just not very good I.Q.

How do these things get into museums?

MarkJerling · 06-04-2018, 07:06 PM - **1 Like**

Impressionist art?

**BigMackCam** · 06-05-2018, 01:34 AM - **1 Like**

In some cases, it's intentional and part of the photographer's style. In others, it's down to the limitations of whatever equipment was available at the time (we're spoiled rotten with today's super-sharp lenses and high-resolution sensors). And then, in some cases, the photographer simply cared more about the scene than outright sharpness.

Stephen Shore used compact 35mm film cameras, large format, digital "bridge" and finally an iPhone. The quality varies with the equipment he used, but the subject matter, story-telling, composition and lighting were always top notch...

**AggieDad** · 06-05-2018, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

In some cases, it's intentional and part of the photographer's style. In others, it's down to the limitations of whatever equipment was available at the time (we're spoiled rotten with today's super-sharp lenses and high-resolution sensors). And then, in some cases, the photographer simply cared more about the scene than outright sharpness.

BigMackCam - These were paintings – not photos. I was trying to be tongue-in-cheek or sarcastic (apparently I was neither) as a bit of commentary.

I often find we have folks on our forum who seem to be so focused on pixel sharpness that they do not look at the whole image. This is me trying to say that sharpness is but one small part of an image and often not all that important.

**BigMackCam** · 06-05-2018, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by AggieDad

BigMackCam - These were paintings – not photos. I was trying to be tongue-in-cheek or sarcastic (apparently I was neither) as a bit of commentary.

I often find we have folks on our forum who seem to be so focused on pixel sharpness that they do not look at the whole image. This is me trying to say that sharpness is but one small part of an image and often not all that important.

LOL

I was up very late last night, Don, and when I posted my reply this morning, I still hadn't processed my first cup of coffee

I get it now

DeadJohn · 06-05-2018, 09:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

LOL

I was up very late last night, Don, and when I posted my reply this morning, I still hadn't processed my first cup of coffee

I get it now

I hope you are talking about the caffeine kick instead of the later part of coffee processing.

SSGGeezer · 06-05-2018, 09:23 AM

I am not a huge fan of many artists but I love the look Claude Monet got with soft edges but beautifully showing the light. Especially in his Mediterranean period. But hey, YMMV!

**AggieDad** · 06-05-2018, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

I am not a huge fan of many artists but I love the look Claude Monet got with soft edges but beautifully showing the light. Especially in his Mediterranean period. But hey, YMMV!

SSGGeezer – I totally agree.
And Monet is not alone – he is but one of many. If one really wants to understand light and how it impacts an image, a stroll through the local art gallery is always instructive.

reeftool · 06-13-2018, 06:14 PM

Here in the Adirondacks, there is often fog in the mornings and the sunlight breaking through can be stunning. It can be difficult to capture with the camera (at least for me) and often lasts only a few moments but some days are so beautiful you never forget them. The soft light theme has been a favorite of painters for a long time.

**clackers** · 06-13-2018, 06:25 PM

Yeah, I think that Cezanne guy has to trade up from his kit lens ... it's not working for him.

SSGGeezer · 06-13-2018, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Yeah, I think that Cezanne guy has to trade up from his kit lens ... it's not working for him.

I see a Kangaroo in the bottom right corner. Was that guy an Aussie?

**c.a.m** · 06-13-2018, 06:57 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by clackers

it's not working for him.

If I recall correctly, I think that he did that one during his low-pixel period, using a pre-release version of his painting kit. I also remember reading that he didn't notice that one of his easels had a loose leg, and the wobble introduced a lot of blur. Yet, the colours and micro-contrast are remarkable, no?

Didn't he receive a poor grade from the then-popular Definitive Painting Review committee? Something about the previous painting he did was much nicer?

**clackers** · 06-13-2018, 07:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

I see a Kangaroo in the bottom right corner. Was that guy an Aussie?

(Laughs). When I look up at the 'constellations', I think those Greek astronomers must have been gathering some pretty good mushrooms during the day.

**clackers** · 06-13-2018, 07:08 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by c.a.m

If I recall correctly, I think that he did that one during his low-pixel period, using a pre-release version of his painting kit. I also remember reading that he didn't notice that one of his easels had a loose leg, and the wobble introduced a lot of blur. Yet, the colours and micro-contrast are remarkable, no?

Didn't he receive a poor grade from the then-popular Definitive Painting Review committee? Something about the previous painting he did was much nicer?

Wish I could give multiple likes for that.

Yes, a little pop up ad at DPR says they have the Picasso IIIR on special this month ... I must check it out, even thought the portraits taken with it tend to have more than two eyes.

Dartmoor Dave · 06-15-2018, 01:37 AM - **1 Like**

I hear that Paintbrush Forums is giving away some top-of-the range canvases and brushes at the end of the month, even though everyone knows that Paintbrushes are doomed. At least that's what the Crayon users say.

06-04-2018, 06:47 PM - 1 Like	#1
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,456	Soft Images We're on the road and have stopped at a couple of museums – specifically The Art Institute of Chicago and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Well, what I saw was disturbing. Soft images. Lack of sharpness. Just not very good I.Q. How do these things get into museums?

06-13-2018, 06:57 PM - 5 Likes	#12
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,193	Originally posted by clackers it's not working for him. If I recall correctly, I think that he did that one during his low-pixel period, using a pre-release version of his painting kit. I also remember reading that he didn't notice that one of his easels had a loose leg, and the wobble introduced a lot of blur. Yet, the colours and micro-contrast are remarkable, no? Didn't he receive a poor grade from the then-popular Definitive Painting Review committee? Something about the previous painting he did was much nicer? Last edited by c.a.m; 06-13-2018 at 07:04 PM.

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06-04-2018, 07:06 PM - 1 Like	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Impressionist art?

06-05-2018, 01:34 AM - 1 Like	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	In some cases, it's intentional and part of the photographer's style. In others, it's down to the limitations of whatever equipment was available at the time (we're spoiled rotten with today's super-sharp lenses and high-resolution sensors). And then, in some cases, the photographer simply cared more about the scene than outright sharpness. Stephen Shore used compact 35mm film cameras, large format, digital "bridge" and finally an iPhone. The quality varies with the equipment he used, but the subject matter, story-telling, composition and lighting were always top notch...

06-05-2018, 08:35 AM	#4
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,456 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam In some cases, it's intentional and part of the photographer's style. In others, it's down to the limitations of whatever equipment was available at the time (we're spoiled rotten with today's super-sharp lenses and high-resolution sensors). And then, in some cases, the photographer simply cared more about the scene than outright sharpness. BigMackCam - These were paintings – not photos. I was trying to be tongue-in-cheek or sarcastic (apparently I was neither) as a bit of commentary. I often find we have folks on our forum who seem to be so focused on pixel sharpness that they do not look at the whole image. This is me trying to say that sharpness is but one small part of an image and often not all that important.

06-05-2018, 08:40 AM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	Originally posted by AggieDad BigMackCam - These were paintings – not photos. I was trying to be tongue-in-cheek or sarcastic (apparently I was neither) as a bit of commentary. I often find we have folks on our forum who seem to be so focused on pixel sharpness that they do not look at the whole image. This is me trying to say that sharpness is but one small part of an image and often not all that important. LOL I was up very late last night, Don, and when I posted my reply this morning, I still hadn't processed my first cup of coffee I get it now

06-05-2018, 09:19 AM - 1 Like	#6
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by BigMackCam LOL I was up very late last night, Don, and when I posted my reply this morning, I still hadn't processed my first cup of coffee I get it now I hope you are talking about the caffeine kick instead of the later part of coffee processing.

06-05-2018, 09:23 AM	#7
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	I am not a huge fan of many artists but I love the look Claude Monet got with soft edges but beautifully showing the light. Especially in his Mediterranean period. But hey, YMMV!

06-05-2018, 04:30 PM	#8
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,456 Original Poster	Originally posted by SSGGeezer I am not a huge fan of many artists but I love the look Claude Monet got with soft edges but beautifully showing the light. Especially in his Mediterranean period. But hey, YMMV! SSGGeezer – I totally agree. And Monet is not alone – he is but one of many. If one really wants to understand light and how it impacts an image, a stroll through the local art gallery is always instructive.

06-13-2018, 06:14 PM	#9
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Here in the Adirondacks, there is often fog in the mornings and the sunlight breaking through can be stunning. It can be difficult to capture with the camera (at least for me) and often lasts only a few moments but some days are so beautiful you never forget them. The soft light theme has been a favorite of painters for a long time.

06-13-2018, 06:43 PM	#11
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by clackers Yeah, I think that Cezanne guy has to trade up from his kit lens ... it's not working for him. I see a Kangaroo in the bottom right corner. Was that guy an Aussie?

06-13-2018, 07:06 PM - 1 Like	#13
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by SSGGeezer I see a Kangaroo in the bottom right corner. Was that guy an Aussie? (Laughs). When I look up at the 'constellations', I think those Greek astronomers must have been gathering some pretty good mushrooms during the day.

06-13-2018, 07:08 PM - 2 Likes	#14
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by c.a.m If I recall correctly, I think that he did that one during his low-pixel period, using a pre-release version of his painting kit. I also remember reading that he didn't notice that one of his easels had a loose leg, and the wobble introduced a lot of blur. Yet, the colours and micro-contrast are remarkable, no? Didn't he receive a poor grade from the then-popular Definitive Painting Review committee? Something about the previous painting he did was much nicer? Wish I could give multiple likes for that. Yes, a little pop up ad at DPR says they have the Picasso IIIR on special this month ... I must check it out, even thought the portraits taken with it tend to have more than two eyes.

06-15-2018, 01:37 AM - 1 Like	#15
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,890	I hear that Paintbrush Forums is giving away some top-of-the range canvases and brushes at the end of the month, even though everyone knows that Paintbrushes are doomed. At least that's what the Crayon users say.