Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Anders_HK on April 18, 2011, 08:38:01 am
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Sheer inspiration on 532 pages (iPhone version)
For those who do not know of Peter Lik he is likely the most successful and skillful landscape photographer of our time and have a string of galleries across USA and in Australia where he is from. I first saw his work on a visit to his gallery in Cairns, Australia when I voyaged round the world in 2003. I was very impressed then and I remain so of his work today. His work is truly inspirational and top notch.
At first the interface felt a tad tedious, only to realize that it gave me the large format print size feel on my iPhone. Yes, in fact it felt so. I mean.. first each page shows a book page spread at smaller size than the iPhone screen, click a button that gives option to read text or zoom page to full screen size and to zoom in further... just to realize that this is the way I would look at his images printed in a gallery, first full size... then walk in closer and look at details and parts of image, read text, step back again...
Add together the text written to many of his images, and the chapter text, this app is a true inspiration and has been great on my daily commute. The iPhone version has 532 full spreads and I have been through all of them by end of today. Time to re-start, will read it again... gaze at his images like in a gallery on my tiny display ;D. Nothing short of sheer and true inspiration with so many excellent images from his work. It also lends itself well to teach from his images in how he sees, and as such feels like a tremendous resource.
I can warmly recommend it. ;)
Regards
Anders
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For those who do not know of Peter Lik he is likely the most successful and skillful landscape photographer of our time
Yeah, I'll agree with the first part, but the second is pretty debatable.
Exhibit A:
(http://www.peterlikexposed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/02_Coastal-Palette.jpg)
I would expect that "the most skillful landscape photographer of our time" would be able to make a photograph that is sufficiently sharp. I would expect that he could get a straight horizon line in a photograph. I would also expect that he would not clip the foreground rocks either. There a many people on this forum that I know that could have made this photo or one even better had they been at that location at the same time.
Peter Lik is a great marketer, his skills as a photographer less so....
For truly talented landscape photographers of our time see Tom Till (http://u000233021.photoshelter.com/), Ian Plant (http://www.ianplant.com/) and Michale Fatali (http://www.fatali.com/)
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Ditto, marketing is very important. An average photographer can seem great if you measure just by sales figures and fans. Lik spends a ton of cash promoting himself.
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Ahhhmm... Sour grapes, anyone?
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No sour ones here - mine are very sweet! Those are just the facts of life - lots of money is the key to this guy. And now that some really big money is behind him, no telling....
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Yeah, I'll agree with the first part, but the second is pretty debatable.
Exhibit A:
Reminds me of this classic TOP post (http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/2006/06/great-photographers-on-internet.html).
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2 things I do like about Peter Lik - he prints BIG and (at least the galleries he has in Las Vegas - I assume it's consistent everywhere) his presentation of the images is very compelling - you'd swear they were backlit. Fuji Crystal Archive - silver halide, not inkjet, if I remember correctly.
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Ahhhmm... Sour grapes, anyone?
Not at all, it's just my opinion. If you disagree, why not prove me wrong? I will 100% stand by what I say. Peter Lik is the most marketed photographer of our time. Good on him for that. I don't begrudge anyone success.
However, he is nowhere near the best. In fact, I've see lots of stuff by amateurs that I personally think is 1) Better composed and 2) better processed than some of Peter Lik's work (see the example above & below). As much as I've seen you make negative comment towards over saturated photograhs here, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it in this case, because most of his are just that. His work is "unique" in the fact that he shoots with a 6x17 format camera and lots of folks aren't use to that perspective. So it's unusual in that respect and that catches people eye.
Exhibit B:
http://my.pho.to/peterlik/s2/albums/35_mm_photography_ofpeter_lik_/fs_30.jpg
If you are going to take this photo and sell it as fine art, they why in the world do you clip the light beam at the bottom and leave the bird's nest with the poop running down of the side of the rock still in the upper right of the frame? (It's much more evident in the photo on his new gallery) These are compositional basics.
I'm not saying I don't like all of his work. Some of it I like very much, but "the best"? No way. Somebody has taken a TALL drink of the cool-aid.
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As a photography student I was told.."If you can't make it good, make it big. If that doesn't work, frame it."
Lik's work is good and certainly eye catching, he is the most commercially viable fine art (landscape) photographer to date, is he the best? Well, his work is really big.....
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... he is nowhere near the best...
The OP used the term "likely the most... skillful", a relativized statement in itself (note the "likely" part). Nobody said he is the best (and good luck agreeing on the definition of the best).
... In fact, I've see lots of stuff by amateurs that I personally think is 1) Better composed and 2) better processed than some of Peter Lik's work (see the example above & below).
I have no doubt that might be the case. I have no doubt that someone, somewhere, managed to produce a single shot (or even a few) that is superior to a single shot of another photographer (especially if you are allowed to cherry pick the best from the former and the worst from the latter). There is a bunch of Ansel Adams shots that anyone with a phone camera these days could replicate and perhaps even better it. What ultimately counts is a body of work.
... As much as I've seen you make negative comment towards over saturated photograhs here, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it in this case...
Because I was not trying to defend that particular photo. I actually totally agree with your technical assessment and I do not like either photo in your examples. The first one is especially ugly. But note that is just my/your opinion... if enough people think otherwise (and apparently they do), and these shots keep selling, all we can do is to lament the existence of "poor, uneducated masses".
At the risk of repeating myself (from an earlier, unrelated post), I once talked to a photographer with a gallery in one of the most prominent spots in a major American metropolis (and obviously selling enough to support the location). I mentioned to him that one of his landscapes/seascapes has a particularly nasty case of chroma noise, obvious from a mile to any photographer. His reply? That was one of his best-sellers, he said, and one of the buyers explained that as "reminding him of impressionistic/pointillistic palette". Non-photographers definitely use different criteria that we do, much more skewed toward emotional impact vs. technical merits.
And I am perfectly aware that my comments (as well as yours or anyone else's) run the risk that is very nicely described in the TOP link, as provided by Harry (feppe) above.
I have to admit I do not know much about Peter Lik and have not seen much (if any) of his work (I think I walked into one of his galleries once, in Miami, just before they were closing for the evening). But I do know there are others (lots of them) willing to fork out some serious money for his work, so there must be something in it. And that "something" probably has to do with how non-photographers appreciate photography, as mentioned above.
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At the risk of repeating myself (from an earlier, unrelated post), I once talked to a photographer with a gallery in one of the most prominent spots in a major American metropolis (and obviously selling enough to support the location). I mentioned to him that one of his landscapes/seascapes has a particularly nasty case of chroma noise, obvious from a mile to any photographer. His reply? That was one of his best-sellers, he said, and one of the buyers explained that as "reminding him of impressionistic/pointillistic palette". Non-photographers definitely use different criteria that we do, much more skewed toward emotional impact vs. technical merits.
And that's the key: it doesn't matter what photographers think of his work, since photographers are not his target audience. He is in the business of selling photographs, and is presumably very very good at that; apparently that concept is alien or even offensive to many (not only on LL).
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The OP used the term "likely the most... skillful", a relativized statement in itself (note the "likely" part). Nobody said he is the best (and good luck agreeing on the definition of the best).
Correct, I used the term "likely the most... skillful" as a means of recognizing that fine art is in the eye of the beholder and that such views can differ...
As for my personal view I do find Peter Lik to be the by far best at fine art landscapes of our lifetime. There is something fresh and alive in his images and they provoke a feeling and artistic brilliance I do not experience in the work by others.
I also find Peter's processing exceptional and in some images it reminds me of the style to bring out landscapes as that of the Hudson River School of painters.
As I mentioned in above I saw his work already in 2003 in Cairns, Australia. That was at a time when possibly that was his only gallery and when he obvious was not making same $$$. Nor did he at such time have the string of awards and recognition for his photos and photography that he now has. Obvious something has happened since. Peter was good back in 2003, very good, and has since managed to continue to produce much quality works and continued to do so after his move to the "land of capitalism". In above posts it appears some obvious see something wrong with that. So… I gather what we should do is to educate people what pixel peeping is and what is correct way to capture a photo??? Or… is it actually the perception by ordinary and skilled arts collectors that counts? B.t.w. the app also states that two of his older photos were sold at Sothebys… so I gather by that fact that the pixel peeping must be the correct approach??? :)
@ Lonnie Utah;
One should be very careful making such strong remarks without sound backing…
First rule in arts: learn the rules.
Second rule: break them within reason of your own artistic view.
Exhibit A:
(http://www.peterlikexposed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/02_Coastal-Palette.jpg)
And… why should all photos be sharp? Pixel peeping? Or is there a written rule we must all obey??? The point is artistic vision. I rather like that photo. Not sure I would produce the same… but it conveys a feeling. Sharp? Does it have to be??? I gather soft focus lenses of 19th century are thus wrong also… or are those also about feeling and art? :)
While I personally strive for horizontal horizons this image does come across as somehow impressive. I had to think awhile when I first saw it, but it passes by my book. I like it. It reminds of a painting.
Exhibit B:
http://my.pho.to/peterlik/s2/albums/35_mm_photography_ofpeter_lik_/fs_30.jpg
I do like this one, and very much. I find it spectacular, fabulous composition, view and to convey a tremendous feeling. My focus when viewing it is not looking for poop in pixels in corners… but the view and impression it makes on me… art is about the feeling it envokes… and far more than poop… :)
For truly talented landscape photographers of our time see Tom Till (http://u000233021.photoshelter.com/), Ian Plant (http://www.ianplant.com/) and Michale Fatali (http://www.fatali.com/)
Thanks for showing those. I know of Michale Fitali who is very good but I find his images to lack response of life and feeling in me. My admiration is far more for Jack Dykinga’s images that I find evoke feeling, but not at the same level as Peter Lik’s. I believe you already guessed that my personal view is that Peter Lik blows them both out of the water? Albeit I was not familiar with the other two you linked I do not find their work pleasing at all as fine art landscapes.
As a photography student I was told.."If you can't make it good, make it big. If that doesn't work, frame it."
Let us remember, when make larger, the mistakes shows loud and clear as larger… however… at same time it is a totally different experience in viewing an image, just as I described as of viewing and reading the app. In regards to panoramic vs. 4x5 or 4:3 there is also the format factor. Panoramic images can be totally striking, but it takes something in arriving to make them become such… or else they are not good at all…
Alright, some do not like Elvis or Michael Jackson. Art is in the beholder… yet what I given you folks is information of that I found this application to be a sheer inspiration. It is to me. My post was thinking it can be to bunch of you here also. I warmly recommend this app.
Regards
Anders
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I'm also of the opinion that Peter Lik is a world-class marketer, but, frankly, a rather pedestrian landscape photographer.
He's not bad by any means and has produced some nice images, but IMO he's FAR from being in the same league as Art Wolfe, David Muench, Carr Clifton, Jack Dykinga, the late/great Galen Rowell, Tom Till, or even some of the more unheard of guys like Jon Ortner, and probably a lot more names that escape me at this hour.
Overall, to be characteristically blunt, I just am not that impressed with him; neither his work, nor with his somewhat arrogant attitude he seems to display on his TV specials.
-m
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And that's the key: it doesn't matter what photographers think of his work, since photographers are not his target audience. He is in the business of selling photographs, and is presumably very very good at that; apparently that concept is alien or even offensive to many (not only on LL).
+1!
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+1!
I cannot help but to think... was not also Ansel Adams at his time?? but... he also taught us photographers a whole bunch... ;)
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"Overall, to be characteristically blunt, I just am not that impressed with him; neither his work, nor with his somewhat arrogant attitude he seems to display on his TV specials."
I enjoy his work, just would not put in the same league as Weston (Edward or Brett), Adams, Wolfe or some of the others mentioned in this thread. He is a MASTER at marketing his work, supplying what his fans desire and crafting an image for media. Showing up on TV interviews in his "outback hat" and cutoff vest seems a bit over the top, but that's what his fans expect. I've never met Mr. Lik but his "persona" on air does seem very "crafted" for effect.
Ansel Adams was a gifted educator as well as photographer and even when reviewing student work was not condescending or dismissive.
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One should be very careful making such strong remarks without sound backing…
It's my opinion, and I think that I provided ample evidence to back up my opinion. I personally wouldn't include the two photos I highlighted in my own portfolio.
I will say it again. Peter Lik is a great marketer. He succeeds not because of his skills as a photographer, but he has targeted famous high end clients and because of his over the top personality. I'm not saying he doesn't have any skill, I'm saying that there are many other lesser known (to the general public) photographers that are WAY more talented than Mr. Lik. It seems that a majority of the respondents agreed with my point of view.
Albeit I was not familiar with the other two you linked I do not find their work pleasing at all as fine art landscapes.
You haven't heard of Tom Till or Ian Plant?? This kind of gets to my point. How many other photographers work do you really know? You might think Hershey's chocolate is really great, if you've never tasted any other brands...
You like Lik's work, good for you. I'm not a fan. Those are our opinions, and by nature, opinions are neither right nor wrong.
Edit: Here is an un-comprehensive list of other great landscape photographers, each having their own merits and faults....
Aaron Reed - http://aaronreedphotography.photoshelter.com/
Adam Barker - http://www.adambarkerphotography.com/
Adam Burton - http://www.adamburtonphotography.com/
Adam Clutterbuck - http://www.adamclutterbuck.com/
Adam Salwanowicz - http://www.panoramio.com/user/588149
Alain Briot - http://alainbriot.com/
Alain Proust - http://www.alainproust.com/Artist.as...&Akey=H5XCHM8A
Alex Nail - http://www.alexnail.com/
Andris Apse - http://www.nzlandscapes.co.nz/
Andris Apse - www.andrisapse.com
Andy Mumford - www.andymumford.com
Ansel Adams - http://www.anseladams.com
Antony Spencer - http://www.antonyspencer.com/
Art Wolfe - www.artwolfe.com
Ben Jacobsen - http://www.benjacobsenphoto.com/
Bill Hatcher - http://www.billhatcher.com/
Bob Hudak - www.bobhudak.com
Bruce Dale - http://www.brucedale.com/
Bruce Hucko - http://www.brucehuckophoto.com/
Camille Seaman - http://www.camilleseaman.com/
Carr Clifton - http://www.carrclifton.com/
Charles Cramer - http://www.charlescramer.com/
Charlie Waite - www.charliewaite.com
Chip Phillips - http://www.chipphillipsphotography.com/
Chris Friel - http://www.chrisfriel.co.uk/
Christian Fletcher - http://www.christianfletcher.com.au/
Christophe Carlier - http://www.christophecarlier.com/
Christopher Burkett - http://www.christopherburkett.com/
Colin Prior - http://www.colinprior.co.uk/
Cristal De Givre - http://www.cristaldegivre.com/
Dan Baumbach - http://www.timelesslight.com/
Daryl Benson - http://www.darylbenson.com/
David and Marc Muench - http://www.muenchphotography.com/
David Burdeny - www.davidburdeny.com/
David Clapp - http://www.davidclapp.co.uk/
David Fokos - http://www.davidfokos.net/
David Langan - http://www.thenorthlight.co.uk/
David Noton - http://www.davidnoton.com/
David Tolcher - http://www.davidtolcher.co.uk/
David Ward - http://www.into-the-light.com/
Dennis Frates - http://www.fratesphoto.com/
Everton Mcduff - http://www.macduffeverton.com/
Fran Halsall - http://www.fran-halsall.co.uk/
Galen Rowel - www.mountainlight.com
Garry Brannigan - http://www.garrybrannigan.com/
Geoff Ross - http://www.geoffrossphotography.com/
George Lepp - http://www.georgelepp.com/
gordon wiltsie - http://www.alpenimage.com/
Guy Edwardes - http://www.guyedwardes.com/
Guy Tal - http://guytal.com/
Helen Dixon - http://www.helendixonphotography.co.uk/
Iain Sajeant - http://www.iainsarjeant.com/
Ian Cameron - http://www.transientlight.co.uk
Ian Plant - http://ianplant.com/
Jack dykinga - www.dykinga.com
James Kay - http://www.jameskay.com/
Jay Patel - http://www.jaypatelphotography.com/
Jeff Jones - http://lumnos.com/
Jeff Swanson - http://www.interfacingnature.com/
Jeff Vanuga - http://www.jeffvanuga.com/
Jeremy Walker - http://www.jeremywalker.co.uk/
Jim Brandenburg - http://www.jimbrandenburg.com
Jim Clark - http://www.jimclarkphoto.com/
Jim Paterson - http://www.jimpattersonphotography.com/
joe cornish - www.joecornish.com
John Greenwood - http://www.exposingbeauty.co.uk
John Sexton - http://www.johnsexton.com/
John Shaw - http://www.johnshawphoto.com/
Jon Gibbs - http://www.jon-gibbs.co.uk/
Jon Cornforth - http://www.cornforthimages.com/
Josef Hoflehner - http://www.josefhoflehner.com/
Kah Kit Yoong - http://www.magichourtravelscapes.com/
Keith Aggett - http://www.keithaggettphotography.com/
Ken Duncan - http://www.kenduncan.com/
Ken Schory - http://www.kenschory.com/
Kennan Ward - http://www.kennanward.com/
Kevin Mcneal - http://kevinmcnealphotography.com/
Lee Frost - http://www.leefrost.co.uk/
Maciej Duczynski - http://www.lonelywolf.pl/
Marc Adamus - www.marcadamus.com
Marcin Bera - http://www.marcinbera.com/
Mark Denton - http://www.markdentonphotographic.co.uk/
Mark Gray - http://www.markgray.com.au/
Mark Voce - http://markvoce.com/
Matt Lauder - http://www.mattlauder.com.au/
Michael Anderson - http://www.michaelandersongallery.com
Michael Fatali - http://www.fatali.com/
Michael Frye - http://www.michaelfrye.com
Michael Gordon - http://www.michael-gordon.com/
Michael Kenna - www.michaelkenna.net
Michael Levin - http://www.michaellevin.ca/
Michael Nichols - http://michaelnicknichols.com/
Michael Reichmann - www.luminous-landscape.com
Michael Schlegel - http://www.michaelschlegel.com/
Mike Mc Farlane - http://www.mikemcfarlane.co.uk/
Murray Fredericks - http://www.murrayfredericks.com.au/
Nat Coalson - http://www.natcoalson.com/
Olivier Seydoux - http://www.oseydoux.com/
Patrick Endres - http://www.asmpalaska.org/members/EndresP/Endres.html
Patrick Smith - http://www.patricksmithphotography.com/
Paul Schilliger - http://www.paulschilliger.com
Paul Wakefield - http://www.paulwakefield.co.uk/
Peter Eastway - http://www.petereastway.com.au/
Peter Watson - http://www.peterwatson-photographer.com/
Rafael Rojas - http://www.rafaelrojasphoto.com/
Randy Dyar - http://www.ryandyar.com/
Rhys Davies - http://www.rhysdaviesphotography.com/
Ricardo Silva - http://www.theuntappedsource.com/res...p?category=407
Rob Hudson - http://www.open-aspect.co.uk/section426194_357575.html
Rodney Lough Jr. - http://www.rodneyloughjr.com/
Rolfe Horn - http://www.f45.com/html/recent/recindex.html
Ryan Dyar - http://www.ryandyar.com/
Sally Gall - www.sallygall.com
Samuel Bitton - http://www.samuelbitton.com/
Shawn Thompson - http://shawnthompsonphotography.com/
Simon Beedle - http://www.simonbeedle.com/
Tad Moyseowicz - http://www.tm-photography.co.uk/
Tom Mackie - http://www.tommackie.com/
Tom Till - http://www.tomtill.com/photography/index.cfm
Tomas Kaspar - http://www.tomaskaspar.com
Tony Sweet - http://www.tonysweet.com/
Tristan and Cyril Campbell - http://www.absolutelynothing.co.uk/
Tristan Campbell - http://www.tristancampbell.co.uk/
Uwe Steinmuller - http://www.outbackphoto.com/
Varina Patel - http://www.photographybyvarina.com/
Vincent Munier - http://www.vincentmunier.com/
William Neill - http://www.williamneill.com
Xavier Jamonet - http://www.ecrinsdelumiere.com/
Yann Arthus-Bertrand - http://www.yannarthusbertrand.org
Zack Schnepf - http://homepage.mac.com/zackschnepf/...phy/index.html
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Peter Lik is simply a descent photographer but with a huge marketing team behind him. What annoys me about is this horseshite he comes out with that he doesn't do any post production, that he's a purist and doesn't use photoshop. I even saw a video clip of him at a volcano where he was standing in front of a medium format digital camera going on about how difficult it was getting the image on film!! He is a descent photographer who makes big saturated photos (with no use of photoshop honest) which appeal to the masses...JMO
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Peter Lik is simply a descent photographer but with a huge marketing team behind him. What annoys me about is this horseshite he comes out with that he doesn't do any post production, that he's a purist and doesn't use photoshop. I even saw a video clip of him at a volcano where he was standing in front of a medium format digital camera going on about how difficult it was getting the image on film!! He is a descent photographer who makes big saturated photos (with no use of photoshop honest) which appeal to the masses...JMO
A photographer appealing to the masses - oh the horror.
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You haven't heard of Tom Till or Ian Plant?? This kind of gets to my point. How many other photographers work do you really know?
And who are you to make such statement of my person? That is improper.
For benefit of my doubt I took a closer look at the websites of Tom Till and Ian Plant. Following are my personal impressions:
Tom Till - Photos in bright day and not good light, amateurish landscape images.
Ian Plant - Photos in better light but sensor not up for capture, amateurish landscape images.
Funny thing though… I was reminded that I had seen Ian Plant's website before because I had purchased his eBook Chasing Light since it sounded good per his advertising. It taught me zip zil and nothing of landscape photography and I found it worthless. Frankly I should ask for money back. In my opinion he is far from a master of landscape photography. Oh, and someone was speaking of Peter Lik being over marketed and sales…?? Sweet :). For someone looking for a good beginner resource of landscape photography I can much rather recommend eBooks and books by John Shaw, or books and articles by Galen Rowell. Those are excellent and QUALITY.
@ All,
Lets recapture.... what was my original post about???
It was a review of the APP of Peter Lik’s work. It was not a review of Peter Lik’s work. I said I found the APP a sheer inspiration and recommend the APP as such. Did someone in above misread and turn discussion from that into one of like or not of Peter Lik??
If you do not like Pete Lik, why care? Just move on and be happy. However, chances are you are missing an APP that can teach you something of landscape photography, if you are capable to see art and beyond fundamental basics, and not merely poop on some pixels in corner and straight horizons or their not… :)
Of APPS of landscape photography I have found so far the one with Peter Lik’s work is the only one I can rate as excellent in what it taught me about photography. And yes, very far above that Chasing the Light by Ian Plant which I found worthless, basic and amateurish. If anyone know of any other APPS of landscape photography and at an advanced level please let us know!
And heaven forbid if it is by someone who actually has won even a few of such awards that Peter has won, sold at Sotheby and been decorated by piers with title Master Photographer (not here at LuLa obvious…)… :)
I can suggest when looking at Peter Lik images, to observe how he has worked with contrast of colors, with light and with contrast of light. I found that impressive and a great lesson from a master (also to be somehow reminiscent of Hudson River School of Painters). My own observation is that his way of doing so at times frank reminds me of how Ansel Adams did in BW, however Peter does it in color. It appears he also use filters to aid in this process, I suspect some specific ones from Singh-Ray, along with ND grads and CP. If he did not use Photoshop, then my personal guess is it must be another software for adjustments also of his 617 film images… else I find difficult to see how it could be possible to render in the ways he does, unless for the 617 with curves and more in scanning software....
I found it interesting stuff. Perhaps some of you will also… :)
Cheers
Anders
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...Here is an un-comprehensive list of other great landscape photographers...
If this was an UN-comprehensive list, please wait till I get my two-week vacation, I feel I am going to need it just to scroll down your comprehensive one ;D
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And who are you to make such statement of my person? That is improper.
First off, I didn't make a statement, I asked a question. There is a BIG difference. And you, predictably, missed the point of it.
I provided the examples of Tom Till and Ian Plan, because they are two of the more well known working landscape photographers today. I know both have had articles published in Outdoor Photographer in the last year. The simple fact that you did not know who they were, was a red flag to me that you might not have a significant amount of exposure to other photographers out there right now. Personally, I think it's a fair assessment. What I was not doing, is making a comment on the quality of their work per se. See, style is style and technique is technique.
What I tried to do early on in this thread is put forth some examples of why I think Peter Lik isn't a "master photographer" from a TECHNICAL point of view. The photographs I highlighted both have some significant basic compositional and technical flaws, and to me this isn't indicative of a "master photographer". To me a "master photographer" wouldn't have allowed a print to be released with those flaws. You haven't refuted any of those flaws beyond saying "You have to break the rules". Well, if we are talking about the rule of 3rds, I might agree. For straight horizons on a landscape shot, you've got some work to do to convince me.
Now we can argue about technique, but style is something all it's own. As I said before, you like his style and I do not. That's ok. Taste in art is subjective, and there is no right and wrong there. It's like arguing who was the better painter Picasso or Di Vinci. I think I could make the argument that Di Vinci had superior technical skills, and Picasso had more style. But it doesn't matter. Just because a photograph is technically perfect, doesn't mean that it's appealing and vise versa. For me, the reason I don't like Lik's work because of it's technical imperfections. I think it's sloppy, and if you are going to charge (and I am going to pay) the sums that Peter Lik charges, you'd damn well better get it right. (You can't tell me that the coastal pallet photo would have been significantly changed by straighting the horizon and cropping out the foreground rocks). However, for you, they don't matter. Those technical flaws don't bother you. I get that. I just hope you see the point that I am trying to get to.
I'm not saying you shouldn't like Peter Lik. Quite the contrary. I'm just saying open your eyes to other peoples work. There is TON's of great photography out there, made by more than 1/2 a dozen photographers (or one individual beating the drum loudly). That's why I posted the list that I did. If you were to go through that list with an open mind, I'm sure you'd find the work of others that equals or surpasses Mr. Lik's (and you don't have to pay $5 for the "privilege" of looking at it on your iphone. (which also gets to my original point about marketing.)) These folks just aren't as well known (and that is my original point). Learn to look at their photographs, not just with admiration, but critically as well. You'll find that it opens your mind, gives you inspiration and you just might find a new favorite photographer...
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If this was an UN-comprehensive list, please wait till I get my two-week vacation, I feel I am going to need it just to scroll down your comprehensive one ;D
LOL. Ok, it's a pretty extensive list. But it's a good one!
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Well stated, Lonnie...
The way I look at it is that the original poster opened the door for a lot of "trouble" with this sentence:
"For those who do not know of Peter Lik he is likely the most successful and skillful landscape photographer of our time "
To walk into a landscape forum and say that he is likely "the most" of anything is a bit, shall we say, aggressive and potentially arrogant, and I doubt the OP meant it to come off that way - it's just the "danger" of the internet - very hard to stumble over semantics. I don't know of a single landscape photographer whom I could honestly say is "the most" skilled - and having shot for 35+ years and having met some very good landscape photographers, I think I've got a fair idea of what a "skilled" landscape photographer is. You just can't single it down to one guy. I couldn't say that Art Wolfe is more skillful than Muench or Dykinga - there's a fair number of very talented folks out there, who have been doing very high quality work for decades plural (and long before Lik ever came onto the scene), and thus it's a bit bold for someone to come marching into this forum proclaiming one guy is the "most" of anything.
Peter Lik might be the OP's favorite, but I think a whole lot of trouble could have been avoided by skipping the "most skillful" intent in the OP message and just concentrate on the app review instead.
And for the OP, I totally agree with Lonnie that you should try to broaden your horizons - there is much, much more out there than Peter Lik.
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To walk into a landscape forum and say that he is likely "the most" of anything is a bit, shall we say, aggressive and potentially arrogant,
I'm the most disorganized photographer of our time. Does that count for anything? :D
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Hey Enda, dont worry that you did not make it onto that list, you do really good and high end quality work and would definently qualify to my list. ;D Indeed so does Murray Fredericks who frequent this forum and was lucky to be on that list… ;D
Regardless of personal opinion, judging by all awards and recognition so does Peter Lik make high end work no matter if some like or not like, and some on internet rather trash... than see the point of my review was of his APP ... ;)
Oh; I went through that list yesterday. Among all in list there are very few really really good and top notch ones all of which I already knew. Disappointing since I was hoping to be educated and find someone really good I did not know of yet… >:(
I guess those moaning still of pro or con of Mr. Lik still fails to see my point:
My OP was review of the APP
Plenty of inspiration from it at least for me, each to his or her own… :)
Cheers :)
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I can mention that as I visited Peter Lik's gallery in Cairns in 2003, across same street was a gallery by another very talented photographer who regrettably passed away same year;
http://www.peterjarver.com/
In general the larger formats (film or digital) for landscapes lend themselves to yield a higher image quality and are also more demanding. However as has been exemplified by Galen Rowel and John Shaw it is possible to yield also quality landscape with smaller formats. Not so known but interesting are in my opinion:
www.leeseungkye.com
www.brucepercy.co.uk
If we stretch to people living natural lives in the landscape, a seemingly extremely talented:
http://www.joeyl.com/
Joey, same as Peter Lik seem to go through whatever it takes to get the image, e.g. per the Phase One videos on Youtube from his travels to remote areas in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Same as Peter Lik he is arguably also an artist, not a mere photographer.
Back to my review of the Peter Lik APP shall we??? Has anyone found any other APPS that give inspiration?
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Man people love to hate Peter Lik! I don't know of a single photographer who's work I've enjoyed every single image. A non photographer friend of mine once came with me to an exhibit of Ansel Adams pointed to a picture and asked what was so special about this particular image. I had no idea as it seemed rather plain to me as well. What was clear was that the body of work as a whole on display was fantastic.
The example posted earlier is perhaps not the best image. The man is human and humans make mistakes, are biased, etc. He might have some emotional attachment to the image that perhaps causes him to overlook the technical errors or maybe he just doesn't care as he knows it will sell.
He has a photo of Moraine Lake that is in the app and on display in the Palm Springs gallery that I feel is rather average. It is the standard shot standing on top of the rock pile (every tourist with a camera inevitably winds up there) other than the fact that it is a pano. Moraine Lake is so stunning a location though that I would bet most people who have never been there, see the photo and think it is just a fantastic image. I live nearby and visit several times a year and have viewed probably hundreds of photos taken there so the standard shot does not move me one bit. Does this mean he is a bad photographer not a bit.
I've never been to the slot canyons but have seen so many images that even the fantastic ones have lost their appeal to me. Those of us who view a lot of landscape images get jaded quickly.
I have been in his galleries in Las Vegas and Palm Springs. The presentation is fantastic, the lighting the mounting of the prints. As someone mentioned, the images appear backlit. The guy may be a real a-hole for all I know and that appears to be the feeling a number of people have based on posts here and elsewhere. However he gets an A+ in marketing and has enough stunning images to get an A+ as a photographer as well.
Watch the documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop" to get a glimpse of how hype and marketing can lead to success.
By the way I purchased the app and enjoyed it.
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For benefit of my doubt I took a closer look at the websites of Tom Till and Ian Plant. Following are my personal impressions:
Tom Till - Photos in bright day and not good light, amateurish landscape images.
Ian Plant - Photos in better light but sensor not up for capture, amateurish landscape images.
Seeing this discussion and the characterization of a couple of photographers really took me by surprise.
Tom Till - Photos in bright day and not good light, amateurish landscape images.
I also took a look at this website and I have been in this gallery in Moab in Utah. I think your characterization is highly unfair to his work. His pictures are definitely not just taken in the bright day and btw. for some photos this is perfectly ok. It's not about the time of day that is interesting, it is the light you have available that is the key to a good and interesting photo. Amateurish? That's not my opinion.
Ian Plant - Photos in better light but sensor not up for capture, amateurish landscape images.
I have seen his work before and I find a lot of his work really excellent. Amaturish? Well if an amateur could make these photos I wouldn't mind being called an amateur ;D
I don't such comments serve any discussion any good. Such broad characterizations wihtout any depth is more like an insult imho.
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Seeing this discussion and the characterization of a couple of photographers really took me by surprise.
Tom Till - Photos in bright day and not good light, amateurish landscape images.
I also took a look at this website and I have been in this gallery in Moab in Utah. I think your characterization is highly unfair to his work. His pictures are definitely not just taken in the bright day and btw. for some photos this is perfectly ok. It's not about the time of day that is interesting, it is the light you have available that is the key to a good and interesting photo. Amateurish? That's not my opinion.
Ian Plant - Photos in better light but sensor not up for capture, amateurish landscape images.
I have seen his work before and I find a lot of his work really excellent. Amaturish? Well if an amateur could make these photos I wouldn't mind being called an amateur ;D
I don't such comments serve any discussion any good. Such broad characterizations wihtout any depth is more like an insult imho.
Mmm... could it relate to the pointers given in above regarding myself to be claimed to not be aware of much landscape photographers and the apperant shredding of Mr Lik? Thus that I likewise shared my frank opinion of the two names that were brought fourth.
Enough.
Regarding Apps for inspiration in landscape photography I am tad struggling finding more that are very good. One for iPad that I came across is of the Hudson River School of Painters. For those without an iPad I can suggest to search on youtube or internet. Those painters included Thomas Coole, Albert Bierstadt etc and who remarkebly portraited grand American landscapes with striking light, or rather the ILLUSION of light. personally I find much inspiration from their work relating to a concept of achieving illusion of light that can work also in digital images. is it similar to some of the works of Mr Lik. Personally I am of impression of that in some of images by Mr Lik and to some degree, yes. Light is everything in photography.
Now if someone dislike those artist may I disclaim that I metion then as source for inspiration solely...
I am likewise very much interested if anyone found some good and advanced reference apps for inspiration in landscape photography.
Regards
Anders
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I agree with most in here and their opinion of Peter Lik's work. He is a much better marketer than photographer. In every industry there seems to be people like Peter. Their skills aren't great but their ability to get their faces/words in the market place is amazing. Bottom line though - I doubt he cares. He is obviously in it for the money and he MAY be doing a good job of that. But his work.... nothing special.
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I would bet everyone here bashing Lik would trade places with him in a split second. There are many amateurs who are great photographers who cannot sell or present an image if their life depended on it. The skill to present, market and sell is just as complex and important as the skill to know when to press the shutter.