What's the deal with "washed out" processing

I still see a pretty big surge of "washed out" processing being done. i get it, it looks cool but geez how much of this is actually being bought by clients? i guess it depends on your clients but from my experience people want a good exposure with processing that is not overdone, washed out seems overdone to me. am i the only one? i guess cross processing will always be around, should i just try to like it?

/end rant.


seriously though what't the deal.

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373701
i get it, it looks cool

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373701
i guess it depends on your clients

You've just answered your own question.

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373701
am i the only one? i guess cross processing will always be around, should i just try to like it?

That would be like trying to force yourself to like a particular style of music, fashion, TV, movie, sculpture, painting....etc etc etc.

My advice; relax. Forget about what others are doing and do what YOU want.

I still see a pretty big surge of people who seem to think that they are supposed to like every fad that comes along and assume that everybody else is selling the work that they are posting. I get it, you are doing this for a living but geez you're one of the <5% of the people on this site who do.

/end rant.

seriously if you don't like it don't do it.

oh i do what i do and can do. do you guys like that kind of processing? it's an artistic approach like any other. obviously this was a post made to implore and explore the notion so please don't shut it down without explanation.

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373779
oh i do what i do and can do. do you guys like that kind of processing? it's an artistic approach like any other. obviously this was a post made to implore and explore the notion so please don't shut it down without explanation.

Ah, but asking the question will give four answers, "Yes", "No", "Sometimes Yes and Sometimes No", and "No real opinion". Which of these will be "the answer"? None of them! And, since people who actually have a "real" Yes or No opinion tend to be polarized and at times very strongly opinionated, discussions like this can get a bit tangled!

If you want thoughtful discussion, try to reword your original post to actually avoid the polarization?

EDITED to include a fourth answer!

Trending styles of PP etc will always change. Personally I'd rather focus on working my own thang and letting my own style develop. Branding and all that.

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373779
do you guys like that kind of processing?

It is just like every other type of processing you can name. It works on some images, doesn't work at all on others, and can easily be overdone, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Apparently it's not obvious enough. To me it reads more like "Am I the only person who thinks it looks like ****?"

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373779
obviously this was a post made to implore and explore the notion so please don't shut it down without explanation.

Oh come on, you can't throw a "what's the deal" rant out and then expect to dress it up as a discussion piece when you get a few bites!

Nonetheless, I'll play;

oceanbeast wrote in post #12373779
do you guys like that kind of processing?

Seriously? My answer is; sometimes

For me, I like it because, similar to black and white I feel like it draws some of the attention away from color to the subject, but unlike b&w it leaves colors somewhat in tact.

Interesting since I feel the exact opposite. The subject usually looks like it's behind a dirty window, for example, making the "color" an obstacle or the main attraction of the image.

Sometime it works but, imo, usually it seems to be a way to disguise a less than interesting image.

Well, if the client bought prints, maybe they won't think they've faded much after 20 years. Kinda like the pre-washed jeans.

Personally I kinda like messing around doing them, sometimes, well most times, it depends on the photo. I just did this one with a retro/wash out look for a friend of mine.

Instagram anyone?

Yeah, it is played out but it wasn't the first and won't be the last style to become a fad. Different strokes and all that. It can look decent at times but ehhh. No different than the Phamster clones really. Get used to it

darosk wrote in post #12373827
Trending styles of PP etc will always change. Personally I'd rather focus on working my own thang and letting my own style develop. Branding and all that.

Agreed. If it incorporates elements of different styles so be it, that is what is fun about this for me. I do what I like, screw following trends

I guess you guys will hate the thread I just posted