Contest Corner Challenge #31: Digital Darkroom #1 has been announced (see the press release here). While most of our Contest Corner Challenges ask photographers to photograph something specific, or a specific situation, this contest focuses more on post-processing skills, asking those who enter the contest to take at least 2 of the 6 photographs (image available in the contest thread) and “create” a new photograph from them.

Taking a break from the actual “photograph” contests has caused quite a stir. I have received numerous emails and private messages asking if this is fair, or if this changes the focus of the Contest Corner Challenges away from photography and more towards photo-manipulation. I don’t think so. I believe digital post-processing (using programs like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Picasa and GIMP) is equivalent to darkroom work with film. Obviously digital post-processing software has capabilities well beyond what we had in the darkroom, however knowledge of post-processing skills is still an important aspect of digital photography. The line is gray between what constitutes photography and graphic art, and these contests are not about whether or not to cross that line (or what that line is, for that matter). They (and when I say they, it is because there will be more “Digital Darkroom” Contest Corner Challenges down the road) are merely a way to encourage users to learn and explore digital post-processing. Digital post-processing can certainly take a photograph beyond photography into the realm of graphic art, but it can also make a good photograph a great photograph. These skills are essential for todays’ digital photographers - not so that they can ignore fundamental photography skills, but so they can elevate their photography beyond their camera. Good, fundamental camera knowledge mixed with a basic understanding of digital post-processing makes for a LOT of great photographs. These contests merely encourage people to explore the sometimes ignored (and yes, sometimes over-used) digital post-processing techniques.

Ok, enough from me on that subject. We could literally write a book on it, or, at the very least, a really long article. The point is, it’s good to dabble in all aspects of photography, and post-processing is definitely a part of digital photography. I encourage all levels of “photoshoppers” to give this contest a try - at the very least, you may improve your digital post-processing skills, if not win a cool prize.

Entries are due in by March 4th 5th, 2007. I’ve already got some really creative entries, but I want to see more!

If you have comments, questions or concerns about this project, feel free to ask in the contest thread or in the comments section for this post.