THE ARTISTIC GUILD OF THE WPJA: ENHANCING GREAT WEDDING IMAGES
Wedding photojournalists are artists. That’s the idea behind the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association ([AG]WPJA) — photojournalism’s dedication to straightforward documentary photography notwithstanding.
Established in 2005, the [AG]WPJA is both a refuge and a platform for dedicated WPJA members who also happen to be masters in digital photo enhancement. It’s also a showcase for the finest artistically enhanced wedding photography in the world, not to mention a great Web destination for the bride and groom seeking something special.
Unlike the WPJA, which has strict guidelines limiting photo manipulation, the [AG]WPJA encourages and fosters creative image enhancement in post-production, giving members an opportunity to “stretch out” and achieve their full creative vision as artists. “It’s a place where photographers who take a documentary approach can finish that image,” says acclaimed WPJA award winner Joseph Victor Stefanchik. “The Artistic Guild has given photographers the green light to refine those special images, and tune them to what they may have been thinking when they actually took the shot,” he states.
“I’m a purist to the bone, and I have done my very best to keep manipulated images out of WPJA contests,” declares WPJA founder David Roberts. “And that’s why we created the [AG]WPJA — to weed out manipulated images from the classic WPJA contests while creating a venue to foster and recognize this form of artistic expression. Members who enjoy digital enhancement can now enhance their skills and display their work through the Artistic Guild. They can channel their creative efforts parallel to the WPJA, not against it or over it.“
Artistic Guild contests are held quarterly. WPJA members submit images via an online uploading system, and judges then rank the top-10 images for each category, providing comments on all their choices. The AG staff then tally the numbers and determine a final ranking based on overall point score.
CREATING IMAGES THAT SING
The [AG]WPJA reflects the principle that there is a time and a place for photo manipulation, and like most photographers working in the digital medium, Stefanchik does not hesitate to apply digital darkroom techniques to his photos, though the degree to which he manipulates them depends upon their intended use.
Preparing photos for the [AG]WPJA involves a different process than regular WPJA contests; and it offers a distinctive thrill as well. After all, a guy’s got to satisfy his muse. “What you can do in the Artistic Guild is what I call ‘refining the images, ’“ Stefanchik explains. “I’m at a point in my career where I actually see past the fact that I’ve pushed the button. I know where I want the images to go, and I have an idea when I’m actually shooting it as to how I would want the picture to be treated or presented. The good thing about the AG is that I can bring that shot into Photoshop in order to reach my vision. Although it’s just another tool, you can use Photoshop to really make your images sing. The feel of the image, the way you envisioned it, can be brought out.”
“Picasso started with a canvas,” Stefanchik reminds a reporter. “He didn’t just paint a picture all at once. He’d go back to it and look at it again, then keep adding to it…And you know when you’re done.”
IT STILL STARTS WITH A GREAT IMAGE
Pixel-pushing power only goes so far. A great original image is still the essential core of any manipulated photo recognized by the AG. “You have to start with a great image. It’s the pinnacle,” states Stefanchik. “It’s all about capturing the moment, period. In fact, Photoshop is a godsend for mediocre photographers. They get in there and use one of 2,000 plus actions available for purchase, run their photo though a slew of them and boom, they've convinced themselves that an average image has been transformed into something better.”
“This is where it comes down to having an educated client that understands, respects and wants the "the moment," to remain intact,“ he continues. “As the photographer, I want to see digital images that keep their integrity,” he continues. “I want to remain focused on the content of the image, not the treatment(s). The post-processing should only accentuate the image, not distract.”
And what words does Stefanchik have for Artistic Guild naysayers — those photojournalistic purists who look with disdain at any blatant attempt to alter reality? “We’re all artists whether we think we are or not,” he contends. “The reason I’m psyched about the Artistic Guild is it allows me to refine my images, images that are already real, and take them to a new level. If I take photos and want to play around with them a bit, adding borders or burning edges, it’s nice to know there’s a place where I can be accepted.”
“A great image is a great image, period,” Stefanchik states. “The first step is to be a visual historian. The tools and gizmos are just gravy. You can be true to your documentary ethics and reach your creative vision for a photograph.”
— by Michael Roney for The Wedding Photojournalist Association
RELATED ARTICLES
Machine Gun Shooting at Weddings (22%)
Optimizing Your Wedding Photojournalism (13%)
Other Cameras At The Wedding (13%)
Wedding Photojournalism Purism (13%)
Parents Letting Go: Photographing Wedding Moments With Parents (13%)
Deprogramming Wedding Subjects (13%)
Who Are You Shooting and Presenting For - Current Clients Or Future Ones? (13%)
Using Sepia Sparingly (13%)
Shooting Non-Wedding Assignments (12%)
Surviving The Wedding Portraits (10%)
Save this page to del.icio.us