When people ask me if my images have been “Photoshopped”, I proudly answer yes, absolutely. For those of you that were part of the photo/graphics/publishing industry in the 80’s and early 90’s, the question was, “was it Scitexed”. Photographs have been manipulated long before digital technologies were available. Ever see what Ansel Adams image “Moonrize, Hernandez, New Mexico” really looks like? Go ahead, Google it!
From the time that humans have walked this earth, we have continued to imagine, invent, build, explore, and create, it’s in our nature. Often, each new creation was questioned and criticized by many who were uncomfortable with the changes that were ahead. It’s interesting that many of these inventions and creations have been meant to make our lives more comfortable but seem to generate the opposite response in us.
Kodachrome was also my favorite film back in the day. I have boxes of Kodachrome slides that I would proudly project on any wall to family and friends. But in the early 90’s I felt change was in the air and became an early adapter of the new digital technologies that were beginning to present themselves. I personally know many colleagues who missed getting on the digital train that was rolling down the tracks. Some lost their businesses and livelihoods, some even their homes. By the time Kodachrome was discontinued, I had already been making photographs digitally for 17 years.
Today is no different. AI is here to stay. The genie will not go back into the bottle. I can honestly say, AI scares the hell out of me! Not so much as to what AI can do, but mostly what humans will do with it. As with all our advancements and inventions we me must learn how to control them and use them to our benefit, not our detriment.
I met Sarah Adams, Ansel’s granddaughter at a trade show that I was demonstrating a new digital camera at. I said to her, “Ansel must be rolling over in his grave with these changes in the world of photography”. Her response to me was that she believed her grandfather would have loved it and eagerly adopted it. We’ll never know for sure, just like not knowing if Jeff would’ve used the Kodachrome filters, but they’re her to stay, so we better get used to it!
I could say, “That’s like asking a photographer fifty years ago if they used a darkroom.” This is an important thought.
The creation of art has always existed on the edge of new ideas. As I talk with people in the tech industry, I find the discussion about “what influences what”, a compelling investigation. Visual reality is seen from the farthest reaches of the universe to the mystery and exploration of the Higgs boson features of the atom. Our dream-like intuitive perception with thoughtful explorations might be one of the most accurate sensors of visual reality. Visual interpretations continually take on new forms demanding a new language. It does not exist unless you can name it. At one time, only black and red existed.
I, too, am welling up from the "Joy" flash mob, the story of the Bulgarian bishops and the bravery of real Christianity, and that amazing portrait of Earlene. Good tears, all.
Thank you for reminding us that yes, a photograph is a story told by the photographer. But it is also a story interpreted a thousand different ways, by a thousand different observers. I miss the stories of Kodachrome, but the next stories to come will be as fascinating to the eyes that will see them.
Wonderful piece Kerry, as always. As you describe beautifully Kodachrome was indeed Jeffs steadfast canvas. And the place this canvas occupied in his process was sacrosanct. So I think a Kodachrome app to process his work would not havre been a good fit for him. (Just my two cents here) My best. Nubar
I'm sure you're right, Nubar, and you knew him better than I did, though I always thoroughly enjoyed our conversations in person and on the phone. Once I visited him in LA right after a fire had torn through Laurel Canyon. Wonderful man and photographer. Could you forward this to Marnie and Henry? I don't have their contacts.
Very interesting, thanks Mike! There have been various large "finds" over the years—Vivian Maier perhaps the most famous—but all the photographers I'm aware of have been identified. That these weren't even processed boggles the mind. I only arrived in San Francisco at the tail end of these events, after the creative period had largely wound down and an ugly, violent radicalism captured the headlines.
Kodachrome & mortality, Christianity & morality, flash mob reminder of the resilience & joyous capacity of the human spirit. Thanks, you two. Much needed uplift. Happy Mother’s Day ❤️
Glad you liked it. I'd never heard their story until just recently and felt it needed to be better known. I find Kiril both so brave (ready to lay down his life) AND smart (brings three hundred people with him).
When people ask me if my images have been “Photoshopped”, I proudly answer yes, absolutely. For those of you that were part of the photo/graphics/publishing industry in the 80’s and early 90’s, the question was, “was it Scitexed”. Photographs have been manipulated long before digital technologies were available. Ever see what Ansel Adams image “Moonrize, Hernandez, New Mexico” really looks like? Go ahead, Google it!
From the time that humans have walked this earth, we have continued to imagine, invent, build, explore, and create, it’s in our nature. Often, each new creation was questioned and criticized by many who were uncomfortable with the changes that were ahead. It’s interesting that many of these inventions and creations have been meant to make our lives more comfortable but seem to generate the opposite response in us.
Kodachrome was also my favorite film back in the day. I have boxes of Kodachrome slides that I would proudly project on any wall to family and friends. But in the early 90’s I felt change was in the air and became an early adapter of the new digital technologies that were beginning to present themselves. I personally know many colleagues who missed getting on the digital train that was rolling down the tracks. Some lost their businesses and livelihoods, some even their homes. By the time Kodachrome was discontinued, I had already been making photographs digitally for 17 years.
Today is no different. AI is here to stay. The genie will not go back into the bottle. I can honestly say, AI scares the hell out of me! Not so much as to what AI can do, but mostly what humans will do with it. As with all our advancements and inventions we me must learn how to control them and use them to our benefit, not our detriment.
I met Sarah Adams, Ansel’s granddaughter at a trade show that I was demonstrating a new digital camera at. I said to her, “Ansel must be rolling over in his grave with these changes in the world of photography”. Her response to me was that she believed her grandfather would have loved it and eagerly adopted it. We’ll never know for sure, just like not knowing if Jeff would’ve used the Kodachrome filters, but they’re her to stay, so we better get used to it!
I could say, “That’s like asking a photographer fifty years ago if they used a darkroom.” This is an important thought.
The creation of art has always existed on the edge of new ideas. As I talk with people in the tech industry, I find the discussion about “what influences what”, a compelling investigation. Visual reality is seen from the farthest reaches of the universe to the mystery and exploration of the Higgs boson features of the atom. Our dream-like intuitive perception with thoughtful explorations might be one of the most accurate sensors of visual reality. Visual interpretations continually take on new forms demanding a new language. It does not exist unless you can name it. At one time, only black and red existed.
I, too, am welling up from the "Joy" flash mob, the story of the Bulgarian bishops and the bravery of real Christianity, and that amazing portrait of Earlene. Good tears, all.
Thank you for reminding us that yes, a photograph is a story told by the photographer. But it is also a story interpreted a thousand different ways, by a thousand different observers. I miss the stories of Kodachrome, but the next stories to come will be as fascinating to the eyes that will see them.
Wonderful piece Kerry, as always. As you describe beautifully Kodachrome was indeed Jeffs steadfast canvas. And the place this canvas occupied in his process was sacrosanct. So I think a Kodachrome app to process his work would not havre been a good fit for him. (Just my two cents here) My best. Nubar
I'm sure you're right, Nubar, and you knew him better than I did, though I always thoroughly enjoyed our conversations in person and on the phone. Once I visited him in LA right after a fire had torn through Laurel Canyon. Wonderful man and photographer. Could you forward this to Marnie and Henry? I don't have their contacts.
Kerry, Really enjoyed this piece. Made me think of a clip I saw recently re: found unprocessed film in San Francisco. Thought you might like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c70oFiGTv90
Very interesting, thanks Mike! There have been various large "finds" over the years—Vivian Maier perhaps the most famous—but all the photographers I'm aware of have been identified. That these weren't even processed boggles the mind. I only arrived in San Francisco at the tail end of these events, after the creative period had largely wound down and an ugly, violent radicalism captured the headlines.
Thank you, Kerry, very timely. je
Great articles!!
Kodachrome & mortality, Christianity & morality, flash mob reminder of the resilience & joyous capacity of the human spirit. Thanks, you two. Much needed uplift. Happy Mother’s Day ❤️
Wow, can I hire you to write our promo copy? Happy Mother's Day to you!
😘
Thank you Barbara. I did not know that story of those brave people. The world needs more like that.
Glad you liked it. I'd never heard their story until just recently and felt it needed to be better known. I find Kiril both so brave (ready to lay down his life) AND smart (brings three hundred people with him).