"First of all, let me start by saying that I fully embrace the digital world of photography and the creativity it makes possible. I eagerly embrace any tool or technique, digital or otherwise, that can contribute to achieving my artistic vision. I will enhance images so that they are hopefully expressive works of art that speak to people. I will never fabricate images by adding elements such as ‘wildflowers,’ clouds or other features that were not in the original scene. I do, however, reserve the right to remove minor elements from an image such as misplaced blades of grass or twigs that do not contribute to or, worse yet, detract from the composition. My goal is to produce beautiful works of art for a world that is in such desperate need of beauty."
     Ralph Nordstrom


"The number of differences between Raw File and Master File varies. However, it is always quite significant. Why? Because cameras do not capture the world the way artists see the world. Cameras capture raw files in a desaturated, low contrast, and somewhat soft manner. The colors need to be enhanced. The contrast needs to be corrrected. Occasionally, elements need to be removed and dust taken out. Grain may have to be reduced. Halos may have to be taken out. The image needs to be sharpened. Sometimes cropping needs to be done because the world wasn't meant to fit in a given camera format. Finally, countless other optimizations performed in such a way as to create an image that conveys the vision and the feelings of the photographer and not just the technical output of the camera. The camera captures the material aspect of the world. The artist brings out the spiritual aspect of this world. Fine art photography is the combination of both."
     Alain Briot