Pioneer Woman’s Latest Assignment – Landscapes
‘Zion Snow’ by Regina Pagles
‘Watchman Glow’ by Regina Pagles
Well, 2 of my photos (above) made the cut in the first 3 rounds of The Pioneer Woman’s latest assignment – ‘Landscapes’. I was ecstatic…until I read the comments posted on Round 3, directed at the ‘Watchman Glow’ photo. It seems that there are quite a few Photoshop haters out there. Seeing that my photo appears the most fake, I mean Photoshopped, of them all, I got some pretty mean comments. I’m Shineylewis, in case you’re wondering.
Like this one, by Kathy:
“These are gorgeous! I feel like Ree threw in the Shineylewis entry just to mess with us though…what a travesty.”
Or this one, by Megs:
“OK, it may just be my pissy mood, but some of these pics seem to have been photo-shopped to the point of weird unnaturalness.”
And this, by Jenni:
“These are beautiful, and, with the exception of the Shinylewis shot, seem much less photoshopped. Thank you for giving my eyes a break!”
They go on…this one by Auburn Gal Always (Keri):
“These are all incredible photos. The ShineyLewis one doesn’t fit. It is an incredible art piece, but all the Photoshopping makes it a different type of image. IMHO”
I thought this one by Cyndi was a compliment…
“Shineylewis picture looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting.”
Until I read what Amber E posted:
“I think a lot of them look like cheesy Thomas Kincaide art. I think the world looks beautiful by itself–it doesn’t need to be photoshopped (just like women in magazines)…”
By Shannon:
“Maybe I’m more of a photography purist, but shouldn’t nature be able to speak for itself without so much use of post-production techniques? Overall this series has had some beautiful photos, but I greatly prefer those that look the most untouched.”
From KD:
“I agree that some “bumping” to a picture can help, but also agree that when you start overprocessing them, they are no longer photographs. Just as on Shineylewis photostream on Flickr shows you (just click on the image and you can go see), she has some before and afters and has added in the birds and the lights and all the interesting things to her piece of art. Art yes, photograph no longer.”
np52378′s opinion:
“I agree that there are just too many photoshoppped pics…they are nice but that is not what the world looks like and it really isnt fair to all of us point and shooters who dont have access to photoshop….i think the contests should be for more amateurs…it is very obvious that these would be chosen for the finals because they are PROFESSIONAL photographers!!!!”
The one above is my favorite. Photoshopped pics “are nice but that is not what the world looks like”.
Hmmm…where do I start? I didn’t realize that this assignment was to document the world as it REALLY “looks like”. Oh, and because some “point & shooters” don’t have “access” to Photoshop, (whatever that means) it’s “unfair” that those that do, enter assignments/contests such as this. And while it is flattering that someone…anyone, could confuse me (can’t speak for the others) with a “professional”, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I clean dirty bicycles for a living, and will never sell a photo for as long as I Photoshop them, which is hopefully until I die.
My husband Fred & I own Zion Cycles, a bicycle shop in Springdale, Utah - just outside of Zion National Park.
I live, eat, breath, sleep & dream about Photoshop. Sick...I know. 
There were lots of folks complaining on PW’s site for this one. I think some folks are getting frustrated (angry, jealous) that they are not getting noticed in her competitions. But how can everybody get attention when there are SO many fabulous photos? This is the first time I have encountered any grumpy people of PW’s site, her followers are usually such positive nice people.
Anyway, I just want to say that I enjoy your photos, shopped or not, and the Zion shot is my favorite of the whole group. I added it as a fave even before PW picked it.
Keep shooting and shopping and entering! And please don’t say that you will never sell a photo, unless you are planning to give some away. I would love to have that one in my house.
Rachel
My question.. how on earth do you do it? I think your photos are amazing. The transformation.. umm.. never knew you could do that with photoshop.
Your work is beautiful. As long as your happy with it I wouldn’t worry about
what others think. Keep it up.
I came across your work because of your entering PW’s contests, and I am so glad I did. Your work is inspiring and beautiful. I think a little jealousy turned into complaining, and then started a little mob mentality among the crowd. I for one want to say that I hope your keep posting.
Thank you Rachel, Katie, Carol & Julie!
Hi Regina, I landed here through the PW comments debacle (via your Flickr stream). I’d just like to say I hope you don’t take a lot of the above comments too personally. Some of them actually read positively about your art (while needlessly trying to narrow down what PW chooses to showcase, probably seriously taking the kick out of running the contests for her). Some others just express a preference for more toned-down pics, which really translates, in this contest’s case, to “my preference isn’t the same as Ree’s.” Pointless, but I’m not sure most of them were trying to be nasty.
Just seems as though they really got you down, which is a really unfortunate consequence of PW liking your work!
Hi,
I’ve been a fan of your work long before all these people saw it on PW. And well done on winning.
I love your work, but there is one thing that slightly bugs me about “watchman’s glow”. It’s to do with the sun rays. Basically they break the laws of physics; they appear to be parallel, but the actual rays would be diverging slightly. So, for instance if you follow the bottom ray back towards the sun you don’t get to the sun, but to the mountain.
This makes then seem overly artificial, in the sense of making the suspension of disbelief hard. I don’t think you’re wrong to put in the sun rays as you did, but forgive me for suggesting that they need to diverge. This is the only shot where I can see this – all your other shots where you’ve put the rays in all look natural.
Or am I the only one seeing this?
Anyway, this is meant as constructive criticism. Don’t let the haters get your down. They are just jealous..
Don’t let them get you down. Your art is stunning and most people are jealous of those of us that know how to use photoshop! Keep up the good work, I always enjoy seeing your photos on Flickr.
I stumbled across this site while going through your flickr photostream. I know this is old news, but I read a lot of those posts on the ‘landscapes’ contest to, and I was annoyed with the negativity.
I just wanted to tell you I think your photos are BEAUTIFUL! I someday hope to hone my photoshop skills to your level.
Im so glad you won!
You know what I love your work. If you ever decide to do tutorials I would love to know about it. Just wish I was that creative.
I also found your website through your Flickr photostream. How lucky! Your work is beautiful and inspiring.
For those who complain about over-processing your digital images in Photoshop probably don’t like Ansel Adams’ work either – too much post-processing in the darkroom (lol). I do have to disagree with you on one thing: you should market and sell your work. It’s THAT good.
What’s hilarious is that all those jerks critiquing your beautiful photography are probably the drones peeing their pants over how beautiful the Drummond Kid eyes are.