RPS DI ONLINE April 2023

COVERIMAGE

ABOUTTHECOVERIMAGE

ThePhotographer: GreteHowardARPS

TheImageTitle: OilinWater

AbouttheImage:HowIdidit!

TheimagewaspartofmysuccessfulARPSportfolio.Iplaceda clearshallowbowlofwaterwithwashing-upliquidmixedin. Colouredpaperwasintroducedtothesetup,anditwaslitusing acombinationofaflashgun,anLEDlight,daylightthrougha window,andmyoldlightbox.Thecamerawasmountedwitha macrolensonatripodfacingstraightdown.

Usingapipette,Islowlyaddedoliveoiltothewaterinthedish andswirleditaround.Varyingtheapertureresultedinvery differenteffects,asdidmovingthecolouredpaperupanddown. Itookanumberofimages,withlotsofdifferentpatternedpapers andvarioussettings,untilIgotachoiceofimagesthatIliked.

InPhotoshopIcroppedtheimagestoconcentrateonjusttheinterestingpart,cleanedupstray bubblesandanydirtonthewater'ssurface.Thefinishedimageyouseeisasmallportionofthedish, probablyaroundthesizeofamatchbox.

Withthe‘newlook’DIONLINE,wearemakingsomechangestothefrontcover.TheWinnersofthe MonthlyCompetitionwillnowbefeaturedprominentlyinsidethepublication.

Forthe‘newlook’,aseditor,IwouldliketofeaturecreativeAbstractstyleimagesonthefrontcover andIwouldliketoinviteyoutosendmeimagesforconsideration.

Sendmeyourabstractstyleimage,includeyournameanddistinction,ifapplicable,includethetitleof thephoto,andashortsentenceonhowitwascreated.Theformatneededforthecovershouldbe PortraitorientationandcanbesentasaJPEG,TIFForPSDfile.Pleasemakesurethatthephotoisa minimumof3000pixelshighand300dpi.Pleasesendyourimageto: dignews@rps.org

EditorDIONLINE: MelanieChalk

Contact: dignews@rps.org

CHAIRMAN’SCHAT

THOUGHTSFROMTHECHAIR…

in-deptharticles:DIOnlineisverymember orientated.HavingheldarecentMemberFocus Groupmeeting,wherewelistenedtowhatour memberswanted,thereisnowalinkedcontents pageandthepublicationcanstillbeviewedvia ISSUUorasapdfdownload,dependingonyour preference.Youwillhavenoticedanewlooktoo –thankstoMelanie.

Asweemergefromwinter,springhastheability togiveusenergytogetupandgetgoingagain. Itinspiresustogetoutmore,eventobeginnew projects.AndsoitiswithDI.

InlinewiththeDI‘Evolve’projectperhapsyou havestartedtorecognise,andhopefully appreciate,someofthechangeswearemaking. Therearenewworkshopsonoffer,whichcan nowsupportyouwithfeedbackorclinicswhere thetutorreviewsyourworkwithyou:notsimply deliversaworkshopandhopesyouhave graspeditall.Thiswaywefeelitenhancesthe valueweofferyou.Melanieisalsoworkinghard tobringnewtutorsonlineofferingdifferent opportunitiesforinformallearning.OurDI workshopsareopentoallandgetbookedreally quickly,sodowatchfornewannouncements. ForAprilthismonthlynewspublicationhas evolvedintoDIOnline.Whythenamechange fromDINews?Becausewerecognisethatwe bringyoumorethanjust‘news’eachmonth.

DIOnlinewillhavedifferentcontenttothe quarterlyDIGITmagazine,wherewedomore

OurverypopularmonthlyBigDIGtalkscontinue onSaturdayafternoons.On13May@4pmbst youcan booktohearSarahMarino on‘The PowerofObservation’.Thenon17Junewecan enjoy‘MinimalistPhotography’with Judy HancockHolland.Forfullinformationandto registergotooureventswebpage https:// bit.ly/RPSDIWS231 FreeforDImembers,but everyoneiswelcometojoinus.

DidyoucatchthenewAccolade12whichcame outthispastmonth?Thenewone,alongwith thebackcataloguecanbeseen HERE.Itis alwaysapleasuretoseemembers’Distinctions panelsandthereisalottobelearnttolistening totheirexperiencesifyouareonyourown DistinctionsJourney.

Finallydotakealookatour eCircles whichare beingthoroughlyenjoyedbymanymembers. Thesefriendly,supportive,membertomember, freemonthlyonlinegroupscoverdifferent aspectsfromlearningmoreaboutsoftware throughtolookingatbodiesofwork.Ifyouare interesteddropanemailtotheorganiserJean Robsonon digmem@rps.org

EnjoythebeautyofAprilandMayandgetting thosecamerasdustedoffandshootingagain.

JanetHaines

DIChair digchair@rps.org

AVACANCY

DOESTHISHAVEYOURNAMEONIT?

PRODUCERNEEDED

▪ Areyousomeonewholikestoorganisethings?

▪ Doyouliketobeinvolvedinmakingthingshappen?

▪ ThenreadonasthismightbesomethingyoucandotohelpDI.

Wearelookingforanewvolunteertohelp producethemonthlyBigDIGtalks.

DeborahLothbooksthespeakersandgets promotionalmaterial,imagesandtext,from them.Thisthenpassestothe‘producer’who effectivelymanagesthepromotions,organises thepractisesession,liaiseswiththespeaker, andonthedayofthetalkwranglesthe questionsfromtheaudience.Thefinalthingis afollowupwithboththespeakerand attendees.

Theteamconsistof4people–Deborahisthe castingdirector,RexandNeilorganise the technicalaspects.

TheProducercoordinatestheproduction:itis thisroleweneedtofill.Itisanentirelyonline role.

TheDICommitteeholdmeetingseveryother monthonlineandyouwouldbepartofthe team.Therewouldbeplentyofsupportand helptogetyouupandrunning.

IfthisProducerrolemightsuityouandyou wouldliketovolunteer,thendopleasecontact JanetHainesat digchair@rps.org

JoerunsLightroomworkshopsforDI, buthasstillfoundtimetowriteanother book!It’soutonAmazon

Pictureperfect: Abeginner'sguideto photography

TWOPUBLICATIONSWORTHAREAD ANEWBOOKFROMJOEHOUGHTON

MONTHLYCOMPETITION

THEMEMBERSCHOICEOFTHEIRFAVOURITEIMAGE

ThewinnerofourMarchmonthlyonlinecompetitionwas‘Hello’byMelanieSharp, whichisfeaturedhere.Melanietellsushowshecapturedherwinningimage.

IabsolutelylovetheVictoriaCrowned Pigeons–theleastpigeonlookingbird I’veeverseen!Theyarerelativelyeasyto photographastheyarenotoverlyshy anddon’tmovethatfast.Iwantedtoget aslightlydifferenttakeonusual‘birdin tree’shot.Thisfellaverykindlysatona woodenstumpjustateyeheight!I twistedthecameraaroundtothevertical andgrabbedtheshot.InfactIgrabbed alotofshots–thisonestoodoutasa favourite.

InposteditingIdoalotofworktothe photosthatspeaktomeandtrytoturn themintosomethingmorethanjusta ‘snapshot’.WiththisshotIstartedin ACR(Photoshop)withtheusualsliders–

highlights,shadows,contrastetc.I addedsomeofmyowntextureoverlays toobscuretheverybusybackground.I thenlayereditupwithlotsoftweaksand adjustmentsonthesliders,including curves,levelsanddehazeetc.tomakea cohesiveimage.Addedacoupleof colourgradientsandLUT’sandkept playinguntilIwashappywithwhatIhad created.Ienjoythepostprocessingas muchasIdotakingtheshot,soIreally gototown–it’smy‘thing’.

‘HELLO’BYMELANIESHARP

SECONDPLACE ICMCANARYWHARFBYCHRISCUMMING

THIRDPLACE BUTTERFLYINBLUEMOODBYSUSANDAWSONLRPS

THEMONTHLYCOMPETITION

Thisisafuncompetitionwheremembers canenteranimageeachmonth,and thenanymembercanchoosetheir favouritepicturefromthosesubmitted eachmonth.

TheThreeimagesthatreceivethe highestnumberofvotes,asdecidedby themembersvotes,willbefeatured prominentlyinthenextissueofDI ONLINE.

Thisisthe LINK toenterthisfriendly competition

Thisisthe VOTINGLINK

FromAPRIL2023onwardswe’llbe sendingthereminderaboutthemonthly competitionusingamailinglist. Ifyouwanttokeepreceivingthis reminder,youneedtosignupforthe MAILINGLISTHERE.

KennethNessARPS digcompsec@rps.org

HOWTOENTER

▪ EntryisrestrictedtoRPSDigital ImagingandDigitalImaging Onlinemembers

▪ Pleaseemailyourpictureto digcompsec@rps.org.

▪ Youshouldgetan acknowledgment.(ifnot-remind Ken!).

▪ Oneimageperpersonpermonth.

▪ Imagesshouldbemaxof1000px wide-thereisnorestrictionon howtallyourpicturesare.So pleaseresizethemupto1000px byXXXXpx.(NOTXXXXpxby 1000px).

▪ Pleasenameyourjpegsasfollows -ImageTitlebyYourName.e.g. "PrettyGirlbyJohnSmith"

▪ Tryandavoidusingthecamerafile name,itjustlookssillywhen posted!

THETIMELINE

▪ Openforentries1sttolastdayof eachmonth.

▪ Votingtakesplace1stto10thof eachfollowingmonth.

▪ ResultspublishedinDIONLINE

APHOTOGRAPHER’SSTORY

NEWSOFANOTHERMEMBER’SSUCCESSIN

THERHSPORTFOLIOCOMPETITION

Afterthearticle,intheMarch publication,announcingIreneStupples’s successatbeingselectedfortheRHS PortfolioCompetition,Iheardfrom MargaretCampbellsaying,shetoohad beenselected.

Shesaid,‘Itwasadelightfulsurpriseto havehersubmissionaccepted’

Iwasveryinterestedtohearfrom Margaretthat,‘Itwasthroughwatching theRPS?RHSZoomtalkthatIheard abouttheexhibitionand,afterreceiving theemailaskingforentries,Idecidedto enter’.

AswellasbeinganAssociatemember oftheRPS,Margaretisamemberof MilngavieandBearsdenCameraClub, (nearGlasgow),andoftheScottish PhotographicCircle.

HereisMargaret’sHangingPlanandthe Statementshesentwithherentry.Then eachofthebeautifulflowerimagesare shownindividually.

CongratulationsMargaretonbeing selected,Iwillenjoyviewingyour imagesattheSaatchiGalleryinJune.

PHOTOSFORFLOWERCARDSby MargaretCampbellARPS

Ienjoyphotographingflowersinmy garden,butforflowerportraitsformy cards,Icuttheflowersandbringthem intothehouse.Iuseavasewhich holdsthestemsecurelyandtheflower isphotographedagainstawhite background.Lightingisamixtureof daylightandalightpanel.Detailsare pickedoutwithasmalllightpaneland LEDtorch.Theflowersarerotatedin thevasetofindthebestangle.My Canon600DSLRsettingsaref16-22, ISO100,AperturePriorityandLive View,usinga24–85mmCanonlens.A tripodisnecessarywiththecameraon a2seconddelaytoavoidcamera shake.

ThefilesareimportedintoPhotoshop whereIcreatebackgroundsfromother imagesusingTransformtools,Layer

Blending,HueandCurves.The backgroundsprovidesettingsforthe flower,usingcolourasifthesubjects areinafieldofsimilardistantflowers. Theimagesarecommerciallyprinted.I cutthemto3inchessquareandattach themtowhitecards.Thebackofthe cardfeaturesasmallversionofthe picture,thenameofthecharitywhich willbenefitfromsales,andmynameas photographer.

Thecardsarepackedincellophane pocketsandsoldtofriends.Ihave greatpleasureinmakingthesecards andinknowingthatothersappreciate andusethem–andcomebackfor more!

ThesiximagesIhavechosenhereare themostpopularversions.

Helleborusxhybridus

TulipaOrangeBrilliant

Nerinebowdenii

Lavandulastoecas

Tulipa‘HollandChic’

ECIRCLES

ANINSIDER’SVIEWBYKEVINPAYNE

Itisnowjustoverayearsincethe e-Circlegroups(originallyknownas peer-to-peersupport)wereproposed andIvolunteeredtoco-ordinateoneof them.AtthetimeofvolunteeringIhad noideawhichitwouldbe,orwhat exactlyitentailedhowever,itwasnot longbeforeIlearntthatitwouldbeone oftheimageeditinge-Circles.Sincethe e-Circleswereplannedattheoutsetto be‘peer-to-peer’asaco-ordinatorthere wasnorequirementformetobean expertinimageeditingbecausethe intentwasthatthee-Circleswouldbea meetingofequalseachofwhichwere willingtolearnandsharetheirown experienceandknowledgeinimage editing.AcallwentouttoRPSDigital ImagingGroupmemberstodetermine whowouldbeinterestedinjoiningone ofthee-CirclesandbytheendofMarch 2022sufficientmembershadregistered theirinterestfortwoprocessing,two imageeditingandonepanelscritiqueeCircletobeformed.Guidanceonhow thegroupsweretoberunwasprovided totheco-ordinatorofeache-Circle however,thesewerenotrigid instructions,coordinatorswereableto adapt,tailorandevolvethisguidance, withinputsfromtheirgroup,tomore adequatelymeettheneedsanddesires oftheirgroup.

Thefirstimageprocessinge-Circle coordinatedbymetookplaceinApril 2022;thereweresixofusattheoutset butthishassincegrowntonine,allof whichatthistimeareUKbasedbut scatteredacrossthecountry.Wemeeton thethirdThursdayofeachmonthover Zoom.Eachmonthamemberofthe groupvolunteersaRAWimagewhichthe restofthegroupwillprocessandshare thestepstheytooktoarriveattheir finishedversionatthenextmeeting.Asa groupwedecidedattheoutsetnotto identifythephotographer’sintentwhen capturinganimagebutleaveittoeach individualgroupmembertointerpretand processtheimageinwhateverwaythey sawfit.

WhenvolunteeringasacoordinatorIhad nopreconceivedideaswhattoexpector howthegroupwouldprogress;however, anyreservationsorconcernsImayhave hadweresoondispelled.Thegroupare friendly,helpfulandbetweenuswehave amixtureofpostprocessingskillsand photographicgenrepreferences;some likemeleantowardslandscapes,others compositingwhilstotherswillattempt almostanygenreofphotography.And overthelastyearthegrouphasbecome asmuchasocialgatheringoffriendsas wellasanimageeditinggroup.

Whathasbeenfascinatingthoughisthe creativityeachmemberbringstopost processing;whenprocessedimagesare sharedthedifferenceinendresultscan beamazing. Whereappropriate,timeis giventoexplainspecificeditingsteps takeninorderthatothermemberscan learndifferenttechniquestocarry forwardintotheirownpostprocessing. Withthee-CircleIcoordinatehaving beeninexistencealmostayearwewill soonbediscussinghowweseethe groupprogressinginthefuturebecause formeitisimportantthatwe,asgroup, continuetomeettheneedsanddesires ofallmemberswhilststayingwithinthe intentofthecreationofthegroup.

ThefollowingaretheoriginalRAW colourandpostprocessedB&W(byme)

ofanimageIsubmittedforeditingby thegrouplastApril.Theconstructive feedbackreceivedfromothergroup memberswas,thattheyfeltitwouldbe amoresuccessfulimage,iftheriderin thebackground,whoseheadhadbeen cutinhalf,waseditedout.(Myapproach hadbeentodarkentheridersoasnotto drawattentiontothatpartoftheimage). Despitemymanyattemptstoremove theriderIhavenotbeenableto successfullyachievethisastheimage requiresreconstructingwheretherider hasbeenremovedwhichhasprovedto bebeyondmyskillsatthistime.WhilstI couldremovetherider,Icouldnot flawlesslyrecreatethebackground.Iwill continuetotryasmyeditingskills improve.

SeeoverforKevin’sadjustedimage.

SYLVIEDOMERGUE

INTRODUCINGSYLVIEANEWDICOMMITTEEMEMBER

SylviehasrecentlyjoinedtheDICommitteeasourInternationalRepresentative to helpusconsiderhowweoperateinrespecttoouroverseasmembers.Sylvielivesin Madagascar.Iaskedhertotellusalittleaboutherselfandgiveusaflavourofthe landscapesofMadagascarandherphotography.

SylvieDomerguewasborninMadagascar.

HerchildhoodwasnurturedbynatureandfreedomintheMadagascanbushthatshe traveledwithherfather,thehydrogeologistandzoologistCharlesAntoineDomergue.

ChattingintheBush

In1995,whileIwasamusicteacherinParis,Igranted myselfapilgrimagetosouthernMadagascarwithmydad. Areunionpunctuatedbylivelydiscussionsgaverise, amongotherthings,tothisspontaneousportrait.

Shecommunicatesherorganicvisionandherempathythroughherphotosofdogs, plantsorpeople,favouringtheexpressionofnaturalnesswhichsheconsiderstobethe mostaccomplishedformofbeautyandlife,andtheultimatepathofknowledge towardsourfulfilmentashumanbeings.

SelfPortraitwithmydogSmile

Don'tbehorrifiedbymywild lawn.Thisisleftonpurposeto promotebiodiversity,toprovide ourbarefeetorpawswithasoft invigoratingcarpet,andto contemplatetheeleganceofmy dogs'movementsastheyleap overthewildgrass!

HerphotographyisaninvitationtocelebrateCreationandtoreconcileourselveswiththe originalsourcesofourenergy,insimplicityandauthenticity.

Coastlineinthesouth Sarodranotrack,Toliara, Madagascar1995.

IcurrentlyteachmusicattheFrenchSchoolofAntananarivoandalsodevotemyself tophotographyandvideo,whiletakingcareofmypermaculturegardenandmy dogs.

MyartisticvisionisholisticandIliketocreatemultimediaprojectsinalimited environment.Theexpressionofresilienceandvitalityaredeartome:kindness,joy, courageanddignityarevirtuesthatIlovetocaptureinpeoplearoundme.

BelovedBaby

Duringtheconfinementofthecovid,myguardianaskedme totemporarilywelcomehiswifeandtwokids.Thislittle arrangementenduresinthepeaceandlovethatthishumble motherlavishesonherbaby.

Iwishtorevealpoetryintheordinaryanddonotdisdaintocaptureorcreatethelittle momentsoffantasythatspiceupourlives.

ForallthesereasonsIenjoypracticingtheIntentionalCameraMovementforthe surprisesitoffersandthepictorialaspect.(Seeover)

READMOREABOUTSYLVIE’SonherWEBSITE andviewmoreofherephotography.

EdibleornotNaturalStill Life

"Mychild,beproudofthe flowers,thefruits,andeventhe leaves,ifyoupicktheminyour owngarden."

EdmondRostand,Cyranode Bergerac

WhimsicalJasmine

Oneofmyfavouritethemesinphotographyistheintimacyof plantsandtheendlesslyvariedpatternsandshapeswecan enjoy.Palmleavesareofteninvolvedinmygardenphotos,as theyprovideshadeandprotectionforotherplants,whileletting inthepreciouslightessentialtotheirlife.Thejasminethat embellishesandperfumesthegardendescribessumptuous amorousarabesquesonthetreesthatitclimbs,spreading virginalwhitesparkleswithinthegreenspearsoftheblissful palmfronds.Thisimagerevealsanear-perfectcircularshape thatlookslikeacameralens,isn'titsurprisingandevocative?

AIFRIENDORFOE

MEMBERSIMONNEWLYNDISCUSSESTHIS CONTROVERSIALSUBJECT

Imagine….howarewegoingtodealwithArtificialIntelligenceandthecreationof photographicimages?

Warning:Beforeyougettotheendofthisarticleitwillprobablybeoutofdate!

....soletmestartbytellingyouthat,lastOctober,Ipostedthreeimagesonmy clubwebsiteandaskedmyfellowphotographerstoselectonepicturetogoforward asanentryinaschoolcompetition.Thepictureentered,called‘StillLife–Flowers andFruit’,wastakenbyayoungeight-year-oldboycalledDalle.Needlesstosayhe won…andhereisthewinningpicture.

Notbadforaneight-year-old and,Ihavetotellyou,manyof myfellowphotographers praisedDallesability,asa youngphotographer,and wishedhimwell.

If,likeme,youarefeeling somewhatconfusedaboutall thisAItalkandthinkthatits somethingforthefuturecanI recommendthatyouspenda littletimewatchingthisvideo onYouTubewhichwillhelpto giveyousomebackground knowledgeaboutrecentAI events.

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DIU48QL5Cyk

NowbacktoouryoungphotographercalledDalle.Forthoseofyoupayingclose attentionyoumighthavespottedalittleproblemwiththenameoftheboyfor,in reality,hisnameisDall-E2andhe isnotahumanbeingbutacomputerwebsitethatstates,

“Dall-E2isanArtificialIntelligence(AI)computersystemthatcancreaterealistic imagesandartfromadescriptioninnaturallanguage”

RollforwardsixmonthsandthistimeI almostfelloffmychairasaparadeof photorealisticimagesflashedacrossmy computerscreen,careofanAIsystem calledMidjourney.SimilartoDall-E2, Midjourney (1) isanAIsystemthat generatesimagesfromnaturallanguage

descriptionscalled‘prompts’ (starting withaforwardslash/followedbythe word‘imagine’) WOW!Therealismand qualityoftheimagesgeneratedisboth fascinatingandworryingatthesame time.Justtakealookatthenextthree imagesallcreatedwithMidjourney:

MidjourneyAIgeneratedimages

Now,you’llbeawarethatusingAIto createphotographsisbothcontroversial andnotconsideredasphotographyper se.BUTIbelievewecannotjustignore thedevelopmentofAIandits‘future contributiontophotographyforthe followingreasons:

•AIisheretostay-thegenieisoutof thebottle-itwillonlygetbetterand producemoresophisticatedpictures –thisdevelopment,Isuspect,will occuratafasterratethanwemight expect.

•Whilethemoderncamerain-hand remainsouressentialbitofkititisstill inaprocessofevolution–from pinholecamerastosmartphonesso far.Thisprocessofevolutionhasnot stoppedandnomoresothaninthe wayinwhichweprocessourimages.

•If,likeme,youmightbedescribedas aspringlamb(tohelpdisguiseyour age)wehavetoappreciatethat youngpeople,veryoften,havea differentsenseofwhatorwhatisnot animage.Tothemagoodimagecan oftenmakemefirstsay“sowhat”or “really!”but,again,timesare changingandintheelectronicworld ofmodernpicturecreationand manipulationyoungpeopleuseAI day-inandday-outtocreateamazing digitalartworksandphotographs.

(Asspringlambsperhapsitisalso timeforustoadmitthatwhenediting ourownphotosbeitinLuminarNeo, AdobeLightroom,TopazLabsandyes, lastbutnotleast,AdobePhotoshopCC, plusmanyotherimageediting programs,weuseAIaswell.)

Thekeytogeneratingareallygood photorealisticAIpictureisbeingableto writeagreatprompt.Thewhitehaired oldmanbelow,createdonMidjourney, showsthepromptusedfromaituts.com whodescribethemselves“asa communitywhosemissionistohelp everyoneontheplanetharnessthe powerofthiscuttingedgetech.”

Aitutsprovidefreepromptsthatcanbe copiedintoMidjourneytocreatearange ofimagesinaphotographicstyle.In short,theyarepossiblytheworlds’first promptlibrary.

SothebigquestionishowdoestheRPS transitionintoanewdigitalworldthat includespicturesprocessed(notethe word–processed)withtheuseof ArtificialIntelligence?

Beforesuggestingmysolution,itisgood tonotethattheRPSistakingthistopic seriouslywitharecent,veryinteresting, zoommeetingledby JoeHoughtonon AI andtheupcomingAIzoomsession ledbyRPSpresidentSimonHill

HonFRPSentitled ‘AIandtheFutureof Photography’ April27& RPSEast MidlandsAIEVENT onJune13

Itisalsoveryinterestingtonotethat suchorganisationsasShutterstockthe picture/video/musiclibraryandAdobe withitsnewFireflyproductare attemptingtobringsome(commercial) orderintoasomewhatchaoticand sometimesmaverickAIenvironment. First,Shutterstock,holdingover200 millionimagesandgraphicsplus10 millionvideoandmusicclipsallavailable forlicensinghasintroducedanAI generatorwhichtheywishtodevelopfor thecreationof“ethical”AIpictures.In brief,afterenteringatextprompt(s)a picture(yourpicture)isgeneratedfrom whichyoucanthendownloadahighres versiononpaymentofafee.

Adobeontheotherhandhaslauncheda servicecalledFirefly(inbeta).Ishall quotedirectlyfromtheAdobepress statementofMarch21,2023(Warning: readersmightliketoputonearmufflers

tohelpreducetheimpactofloud trumpetblowingnoises) AdobesaysofFirefly:

“AdobealsolaunchedabetaforFirefly todaythatshowcaseshowcreatorsofall experienceandskilllevelscangenerate highqualityimagesandamazingtext effects.

AdobeisdesigningFireflytogiveall creatorssuperpowerstoworkatthe speedoftheirimaginations.WithAdobe Firefly,everyonewhocreatescontent–regardlessoftheirexperienceorskill–willbeabletousetheirownwordsto generatecontentthewaytheydreamit up,fromimages,audio,vectors,videos and3Dtocreativeingredients,like brushes,colorgradientsandvideo transformations,withgreaterspeedand easethaneverbefore.

WithAdobeFirefly,producinglimitless variationsofcontentandmaking changes,againandagainwillbequick andsimple.Adobewillalsointegrate Fireflydirectlyintoitsindustryleading toolsandservices,souserscan effortlesslyleveragethepowerof generativeAIwithintheirexisting workflows.“

Whatisclearfromtheaboveisthatboth organisationsaretryingtodevelopAI systemsthatwillintegrateintoeveryday digitaleditingworkflowsofnotonly commercialartists,designersand photographersbutalso:“everyonewho createscontent-regardlessoftheir experienceorskill”(That’smecovered Ed!)

ThereislittledoubtthatAIwillalso impactonthenon-commercial photographiccommunitywhomightbe expectedtooffersomeconsiderable resistancetothedevelopmentofAI.My solutionistosuggestthatwedonot buryourheadsinthesandandsaythat AIisnotpartofphotography.Rather,we shouldwelcomesuchdevelopmentsand clearlyrecogniseAIaspartof photography’sonwardjourney.

Icansensebloodboilingbutstaywith meforamoment.

Duringthe90’s,withthedevelopment andincreasingsophisticationofmodern computersoftwareeditingprograms,an interestincreatingphotographicimages wenowknowas‘compositepictures’ (2) grew.

Thisdevelopmentcausedalotof‘spring lambs’tojumpupanddownandbleat thatthisisnotphotography–occasionallyaddingthephrasesometimescynically-“Idoitallin camera”.Italsocreatedaclassification problemforcompetitionorganiserswho didnotwanttobansuchpictures outright.So,inresponse,‘competition

organisers’recognisedthistrendand createdaclassificationcommonly referredtoas‘AlteredReality’for compositeimages.

IbelievethatArtificialIntelligence,as usedinphotography,hasnowreached an“AlteredReality’classification moment.Thequestionisnotdoweban it,buthowdowerecognise,classifyand workwithphotographers,manyofwhom arethenextgeneration,whowantto workwithAI?

Theanswerliesinthefactthatyoucan nowprocessyourownpicturesthrough suchasystemasMidjourney.Leaving asidetheactualhowtodoitandhow muchitcando,it’spossibletouse Midjourneyasaformofimageeditor thatusesyourphotographicimage (takenin-camera)tocreateafinal Photograph.

Toillustratetheconcept–ofAIasan imageeditor–thethreekeystagesthat mightbeinvolvedareshownina simplifiedillustrationbelow

Figures1and2 arethe photographers shotsuploadedto anAIsystem.

Figure3, Showsthefinal composite.

ThisworkIsuggestcouldbeclassified as: P.AI(pronounced‘pie’). PhotographywithArtificialIntelligence.

Clearly,thiswouldgivephotographers whocreatethesepictures,incorporating AIaspartoftheirwork,anopportunity tohavetheirimagesrecognisedinthe samewayasweadoptedand recognisedtheconceptof‘Altered Reality’imagerybackinthe1990s.

Anewphotographicclassificationthatis inclusive,especiallytoyoungerusers, mightjustbestimulatingforallofusand wouldcertainly,Ibelieve,helptheRPSin itstransitionaljourney.Atthepacethat AIismovingweneedtoconsiderthis topic,prettyquickly,tocreatesomesort offrameworksoasnottobe overwhelmedbytheavalancheofnew AIdevelopmentsthatIthinkwillhappen soonerratherthanlater.

Onesuchdevelopmentisthatthereare anumberoflegalcasesbeingbrought abouttheuseofAImainlycoveringthe copyrightownershipoforiginalartworks fromwhichthesecomputerprograms ‘learn’.Thisshouldbetakenintoaccount whenconsideringAIandfurtherreading onthiscomplextopiccanbefound

HERE:

Whiletherearestillmanyunknowns aboutAIitisperceivedasagame changer.Itwillimpactuponaverywide rangeofhumanactivitieswithGoldman SachsResearchrecentlyreportingthat generativeAI“coulddrivea7(or almost$7trillion)increaseinglobal GDP…overatenyearperiod”

ToignorethedevelopmentofAIin photographywould,tomymind,only sendusscurryingdownthatendless “yesitis/noitisn’t”rabbithole!Inshort, weneedtobeonboardwiththis developmentbeforeittakescontrolof us.

Weshouldfollowinthespiritof pioneeringphotographer,BillBrandt (1904-1983)whoremarked:

“Photographyisnotasport.Ithasno rules.Everythingmustbedaredand tried!”Itistheresultwhichcounts,no matterhowitisachieved”.

SimonNewlyn,April2023

Simonishappytocontinuethisdiscussionvia email: simon.projects@gmail.com

(1) Midjourneyisacomputersystemthatutilises theStableDiffusion(stability.ai)artificial intelligenceproductcreatedbyacompany calledStabilityAI.StableDiffusionisa generativeAIsystemthatfrombeing‘trained’ onsuchitemsassoftwarecode,imagesandtext canthengenerateanewdetailedversionofa( new)imageaspromptedbytheuser.

(2) justfortherecordcompositeimageshave beenaroundforaverylongtimewith,for example,OscarGustaveRejlandercreatinghis infamouscomposite‘TheTwoWaysofLife’in 1857andHenryPeachRobinsoncreatingsuch picturesas‘FadingAway’and‘Sleep’in1867 beingpossiblyhisbesttwoexamplesofimages createdbyjoiningportionsofnegatives together.

WORDSFROMTHEEDITOR

MUSINGSFROMTHECOMPUTERCHAIR

Severalthingshavecaughtmyattentioninthe newsandpublicationsIhavereadrecently relatingtophotographyandit’spossibleimpact onourfragileenvironmentandwayswemight lowerourcarbonfootprint.

FirstlyintheRPSAprilNewsletter,the announcementofatalk,EthicalTravel Photography&SocialMedialink,itsounds interestingandIhavesigneduptowatch,it coversthephenomenonof‘Instagrammability,’ andit’simpactontourism.Thenonthesame themeIreadanarticlethatwasareactionthe themostrecentepisodeofWildIsleswith DavidAttenborough,againhighlightingthefact thathundredsare‘hightailing,ittoSkomer,to seethepuffins.whatmighttheimpactbefor thistinyisland?Itwillbeatasktomaintainthe balanceoftheeconomyboostversusthe fragilityofthelandscape,withallthose additionalbootsontheground.Itwasa wonderfulprogrammewithspectacularfilming andmadeonefullyappreciatethewildlifewe haverighthere,possiblyevenlurkingbeneath measIswim!

ThenforthosewhoenjoyCruising,anadinthe RSPB,forno-flycruises,operatingonenergy efficientenginesandnosingleuseplasticson board!Forthosewitha‘bucketlist’anocean friendly,globallyconsciouscompanyofferinga chancetoexplorethewonderfulworldaround usbuttravellingwiththeplanetinmind.

Whilstresearchingournextpresenter,Sarah Marino,Iwasinterestedtoreadofherresponse tohowProphotographerscanminimisetheir possiblenegativeimpactontheenvironment, andon.other’sbehaviour,sayfromposting

imagesonsocialmediaandmessaging,and sharinglocationsandtrendsthatcancause harmtothelandscapewhenahugeinfluxof peoplearrive.

Alongwithotherphotographsshehasjoined theNaturefirstmovement https:// naturefirst.org/en/ Iamsurethisinformationwillbeincluded withinhertalk.

Anotherbigtalkingpointthisweekhasbeen AIandPhotography,withnumerouspress reports,lotsofFacebookposts,opinions,and much‘fencesitting’AndnewDIMember, SimonNewlyn,hasstartedaconversationwith hisveryinformativeAIarticle,FriendorFoe?

TheRPSneedtobeproactiveandatthe forefrontoftheconversationonhowAI processedimagesmightbeintegratedintoour Photographyworld.

JonathanVaineswasthelatestexcellent presenter,inthelonglineofqualitytalks broughttoyoubyDI.Forme,hewas inspirational,Iamverymuchanimagemaker, enjoyingbothtakingcreativeimagesincamera butalsocombiningthemattheprocessing stage,andwassoimpressedbyhisenthusiasm andseeingeye.Heprovedonedoesn’t necessarilyhavetotravelfartofindimages, muchcanbefoundclosetohome,youjust needtofinda‘Fred’’nearby!Jonathan endorsedthatit’sgoodtoreturntoaspotinall seasons,practisemindfulness,walkaroundand shootfromallangles.Thenwithaplaninmind, justplay,youtoocouldmakeapictureforyou downstairsWC!

EnjoyyourphotographywhereverintheWorld youare!

RPSDISTINCTIONS

AIINTHESPOTLIGHT

TherehavebeenvariousdiscussionsonsomeRPSFacebookgroupsabouttheroleof AIinphotography,notleast“howmuchistoomuch?”,giventhesophisticated algorithmsnowbuiltintomuchpost-processingsoftware.

HQhascomeoutwithapreliminarystatementthattriestodefinetheRPSview,viz: “ForDistinctions,ourstanceisthefollowing: ImagescreatedbyAI,includingthosemadefromtheapplicant’sownfiles,arenot acceptedinaDistinctionapplication.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemail distinctions@rps.org” Expectfurtherclarification,judgingbythenumberofcommentsandquestionsthis hasprovoked!

FINDOUTMOREABOUTHOWTOSTARTYOURDISTINCTIONS JOURNEY:

Eachofthepagesbelowincludeshandylinkstoguidelinesandgenresfor distinctions,anda“howtoapply”document:thesearemostlylinksontheoriginal website,bytheway.

• Licentiate(LRPS)

• Associate(ARPS)

• Fellowship(FRPS)

ThePhotobookgenre,availableforalldistinctions,hasitsownspecialguidelinesand submissionprocess(asopposedtoanLRPS,ARPSorFRPSsubmissioninbookform) Youcanfindoutmorehere: Photobooks.Youmightalsoliketoseea talk hostedby StewartWallwhichisbothinformativeandinspiring.

Tohelpyouprepare,youcanrequestaone2oneportfolioreview–anonlinesessionwitha panelmemberappropriatetoyourgenre/distinction.Seethispageformoreinformation: Howtobookaone2one(rps.org

Therehasbeensomeconfusionoverwhathappensnext–someonefromHQwillfind youanadvisorandputyoubothintouchtoarrangeadateandtosendimages/ presentationplan.Thiscantaketimedependingonhowmanyvolunteerassessorsin yourgenreoratyourlevelareavailable,andyouareadvisedtomakeyourrequestat least4monthsbeforeanassessment.

SomeregionsareofferingAdvisoryDaysonlineand,increasingly,inperson.For example,alotofinteresthasbeenexpressedintheEastMidlands/CentralRegion’s advisorydayon6th June,whichyoucanbookhere: LicentiateandPhotobookDistinctionsAdvisoryDay.

Usethislink https://portal.rps.org/s/event-listing andclickthe‘Advisory Day’buttonatthetop–besttodisregardthefiltersatthelefthandside whichoftenseemtofindnothingorhidesomeevents!Youcangenerally attendasanobserverifyouaren’treadytostepupyet(usually advertisedaweekbeforehandontheFacebookgroup).Inaddition, someChaptersandRegionsofferonlineDistinctionsStudyGroups.You canfindtheseby searchingtheRPSwebsite (theseareinrandomdate orderincludingpastdates,soyoudoneedtobepatient). AlltheassessmentdatesupuntiltheendofJuly2023areonthewebsite,andthose fortherestoftheyearwillbeconfirmedsoon.Youcansendyourbookingformsto distinctions@rps.org orbyposttoheadoffice.Asforadvisorydays,youcansignup to observeanAssessmentDay (inpersonoronline)ticketsforassessments–currently free.

Anddon’tforget,aswellasprojectedandprintedimages,youcanalsoapplyfora Film,DigitalandMultimediaDistinctionatanylevel,andalsoawrittenResearch Distinction: Film And Research.TheResearchpageonthewebsitehasjustbeen updated,andmorechangesarescheduledforotherpages.

MOREAVENUESOFSUPPORT:

IfyoumissedanyoftheexcellentDistinctionsLivetalks,you can catchup here.(Alsoaccessibleviathe RPSDistinctions channel onYouTube.)

TheFacebookGroup RPSDistinctions**OfficialGroup**has recentlycelebratedits3rd birthdaywithmorethan4700 members,andincludesnewsfromHQ,linksforobserver placesatassessments,andpostscelebratingdistinction successestoinspireyou.It’sacivilizedvenuetoask questions,shareyoursuccesses–anddisappointments–and askforcritiqueorexpertadviceonyourproposedportfolio.

Ifyouaren’tsurewhichgenreorleveltoapplyfor,youcan post6images(plusyourSOIifappropriate)andrequest moderatoradvice.

Accolade,whichcelebratesDigitalImagingmembers’ distinctionsuccesses,isusefulforinsightintotheprocessin manydifferentgenresandatalllevels IssueAccolade12 isavailableonIssuu(backnumbersalsoavailable).

SarahMarino isourPresenterin May,bringingushertalk‘ThePowerofObservation’ thiseventisnowbookable.

SarahMarinoisanaturephotographer,photographyeducator,andwriterwhosplits hertimebetweenahomebaseinruralsouthwesternColoradoandlivinganomadic lifeinanAirstreamtrailer.Inadditiontophotographinggrandlandscapes,Sarahis bestknownforherphotographsofadiverserangeofsmallersubjectsincluding intimatelandscapes,abstractrenditionsofnaturalsubjects,andcreativeportraitsof plantsandtrees.

Clicktheimagebelowtobookyourplace

DIGITALIMAGINGWORKSHOPS

UPCOMINGWORKSHOPSINMAY&JUNE&INADVANCEFOR AUG

TherehavebeensomeslightchangesandwearenowofferingmoreoftheByteSize WorkshopswithCeliaHenderson.TwopartsessionsonaTUESDAY&THURSDAYin thesameweek.Forallthedetailsandtoseethefullrangevisit DIWORKSHOPS

DigitalImagingWorkshops

APRIL252023

DigitalImagingWorkshops

MAY9/112023

DigitalImagingWorkshops MAY162023

CeliaHenderson

Photoshop LayersChallenge

https://bit.ly/RPSDIWS2321

DigitalImagingWorkshops

MAY16/182023

CeliaHenderson

PhotoshopByteSize CleanUpYourImages

https://bit.ly/RHSDIWS2350

DigitalImagingWorkshops

JUNE132023

CeliaHenderson

Photoshop TheSelectionBundle

https://bit.ly/RPSDIWS2325

DigitalImagingWorkshops

August9/162023

CeliaHenderson

PhotoshopByteSize BeaSmatyPantswithSmartObjects

https://bit.ly/RHSDIWS2351

CeliaHenderson

Photoshop NeralFiltersChallenge

https://bit.ly/RPSDIWS2327

JonathanVaines Composition 4DatesandTimes

https://bit.ly/RPSDIWS2313

SPECIALINTERESTGROUPLINKS

CLICKTOFINDINFORMATIONONOTHERSIGS

ClickingonanyoftheseadswilltakeyoutotheRPSEventspagewhereyoucanfind moreinformationabouteventsfromotherSpecialInterestGroups(SIGs):

RPSLANDSCAPEGROUP

UPCOMINGEVENTS

InareciprocalarrangementwiththeLandscapeGroup,weareadvertisingtheir upcomingevents.Youmightbeinterestedinlookingatthem?

DIGITALIMAGINGWEBSITE

THEINTERACTIVEIMAGESBELOWREPLICATETHOSEONTHEWEBSITE

Simplyclicktheimagesbelowtoopenthelinktotakeyoutothevariouspages.

OurYouTubeChannel DIFacebook

Themembers-onlylinkfortheDIGITArchive,istobefoundintheemailmessage announcingthisnewsletter.

TheRPSDigitalImagingconstitutioncanbedownloaded HERE

Foreveryone’sconvenience,weincludealistofshortcutstothemainDigitalImaging pagesattheendofeachBroadcast.

YoucansubscribetoouremailMailingListsheretohearnewannouncements:

Garden&PlantPhotography Workshops

Events

MonthlyCompetition