I WORRIED A LOT ABOUT “THAT LOOKS PHOTOSHOPPED’ until I decided that “photoshopped” was what it was supposed to look like... or TOPAZED.
I believe that it is much more difficult to be an outstanding classic photographer... and more expensive, and more compulsive-time demanding.
But to be a TOPAZER (OR PHOTOSHOPPER) IS EASIER AND MORE FUN. I’ve been watching the T Forum’s submissions for some years now, and in the past year am amazed at the increased quality of the artistic and creative level of the submissions.
So my goal is the creation of digital images that leave lasting impressions. If I could do that with my iPhone, that would be fine. But I want the choice of getting closer or further away and so still use a regular camer. But with AI applied to image noise and enlargement, and with the use of multi exposure to create larger image files, I see little reason that smart phones won’t eventually produce the quality images that currently require larger cameras.
The challenge seems to me is that a seven-year old can stick his memory card into a Walmart vending machine, make a couple of menu choices and print out a set of photos that a few years ago would have taken the best among us hours to create.
And with the development of digital paper, our wall prints will reflect anything we want to look at more than once.