[photo-3d] C.G. vs. real (was: Re: Digest Number 286)

[boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Somewhere along the way I missed a bunch of posts (or a post) on the
validity or suitability of computer generated imagery in a competition of
photography.

Let me say that in the exhibition rules I do sometimes see the requirement
that the image has to be optically captured (either on film or digitally).
I can't recall where (what exhibition) I've read it, and I'm not going to
go look for it now; suffice it to say that I have always ignored this
stipulation.  I don't think an image has ever been rejected for being
obviously non-photographic, but I could be wrong.

I ignore the rule because it is theoretically unenforceable.  Some types of
imagery can be digitally created now that is nearly impossible to tell from
"real" photography.  Granted, BOSSUS is mostly artificial, and quite
apparently so, but that's only because I am not in command of the newest
technology and software.  In due time, I can assure you, it will be
possible to create any kind of image - be it a portrait, landscape, sports
action, you name it - using purely digital creation and rendering tools,
and you will be hard pressed to tell it from a "real" scene.  Probably
within the next ten years you'll be able to do it even with moving pictures
(and in 3d!!).

That said, I want to strenuously defend photorealistic computer
illustration as an art form, and furthermore suggest that until it has its
own competetive venue, it be allowed to compete with real photography for
the following reasons:
1. It looks like photography, and maybe indistinguishable from photography.
2. In working with a software, your photographic skills come into play when
setting up your composition.  Just like setting up a still life, you
control lighting, framing, depth of field, etc.  SOme of the problems you
run into are very different, however.  (You don't have your 3 year old
knocking your posing table over, but maybe he pulls the plug on your
computer in mid-rendering!).

Finally, Jim Norman suggested that I keep up my "gorgeous more conventional
work."  Most of my computer generated work was done prior to 1998.  In
fact, I discovered stereo photography in 1997 by way of my computer
illustration.  Since then, I have been working primarily with the camera.
Although I still do computer work for commercial projects, and maybe one or
two creative projects here and there, by far the majority of creative work
I've done the last two years has been with the cameras.  It's just more
exciting and interesting for me.  So not to worry, I'm slowly but surely
turning into a photographer.

Boris


- Not content with ignorance of the past,
- humanity seeks the counsel of oracles.
-
-                                     J.P.V.D.Balsdon, _Romans & Aliens_

Boris Starosta, manager               boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Dynamic Symmetry, LLC                 http://www.starosta.com
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