Authenticity

au·then·tic·i·ty

[ àw then tíssətee ]

The DICTIONARY defines authenticity as

NOUN

1. genuineness: the genuineness or truth of something

 

AUTHENTICITY... one of my favorite things in a photo.  

 

OK I admit it!!  I am not a Photoshop or any other heavy photo editing software fan.  Please don't misunderstand, I think PS is incredible at retouching, removing a blemish, power line, or for intended special effects.  My hat is off to those who have mastered PS, it requires a great deal of skill. 

 

In the last several years, there has been a trend towards "perfection and over processing" in photography.  Perfectly shaped models with perfectly clear (plastic) skin and perfect teeth under perfect blue skies that didn't start that way, THEY were created! Some people want "created perfection" and in that case I acknowledge from the beginning I am not the photographer for them.

 

Why the aversion to "perfection" in my photography?   When I first started taking portraits I was approached by an older woman who's grandchild had been born with only one hand.  She asked me if I could just "Photoshop a little hand on for him".  I was horrified and deeply saddened by every part of that request,  I declined the portrait session and vowed to always keep it  real. 

 

This morning, while surfing through a couple of the photo blogs I follow, I was SO thrilled to come across this article on The Digital School of Photography blog.  It is a guest post by Rebecca Lily  She discusses the trend toward authenticity in photography. (woohoo)   

 

My favorite quote from that post

 

"So where does this trend lead us in the world of photography? Someplace better, I believe. As the trend towards authenticity evolves, it inevitably changes the mindset of society for the better. This is part of the influence that we have as photographers, and part of our responsibility. I am always delighted to see wedding and portrait photographers that spend more time learning how to capture a person’s real, natural beauty with good light and a flattering angle – rather than liquefying and plasticizing them in Photoshop. How we as photographers approach our subjects tells a story to the world – and to ourselves – about what we perceive as beautiful and acceptable, and sets a standard to those who are watching us.

I am hopeful when I stand on my tiptoes and look ahead to where the photography industry is going. I see this trend developing into a new and better way of thinking, of seeing. Publications begin to celebrate the everyday and the common in favor of the glossy. Models begin to look like real people. Homes begin to look lived-in rather than like museums. Nature begins to look like nature and not like Super Mario-world. Authenticity begins to shine.

And it’s about time"

When I read Rebeeca's post my heart smiled. I LOVE real and  I feel like I have done my job when I can capture someone or something in the most natural authentic way possible. A photo that shows who they are and possibly what is going on in their life at the time, not how well they have been posed.  

This is one of my favorite photos, and for me,  proves the beauty of authenticity, the beauty of real.  This sweet little girl's daddy was leaving town on a business trip the day after our photo session and she was a just a little out of sorts about him being gone.  A couple of times during the session the poor little thing just needed a "posing break".  This is one of those breaks and what turned out to be one of my favorite pictures, it touches my heart every time I look at it.    

 

Woohoo for authenticity,  woohoo for real,  and woohoo for embracing what God has given us and accepting ouselves for who and what we are.  

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken" Oscar Wilde

 

Jeanne