Lea Mulqueen
(K=7396) - Comment Date 9/29/2005
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Mike, you will find widely different ideas on this site regarding editing. For me, I will do whatever it takes to make the image the way I want it. Sometimes it's a lot of editing, other times it's minimal. Do what pleases YOU! Because, no matter what you do, you can't please everybody!!
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Dana Finchum
(K=2200) - Comment Date 9/29/2005
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Process away, it's not taboo. All images either film or digital need some work. Levels, USM etc...
Dana
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Michael Kramer
(K=566) - Comment Date 9/30/2005
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Mike, it's fairly standard to tweak levels (or curves), contrast, and sharpness to some degree without a second thought. Cropping as well for that matter. When folks get their undies in a bundle is when the image has been altered beyond some point (adding an element or changing somebodys expression) or to fix a compisition flaw (the flag pole was sticking out her ear so I removed it).
It seems that even when you do heavy editing to an image as long as you state that you did most of the critics leave you alone.
Bottom line have fun but don't try to pass off something that is what it isn't. :-)
Take care, --Mike
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Bob Walker
(K=1066) - Comment Date 10/9/2005
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Mike,
I almost always use Levels and Curves to make tonal adjustments. Since I shoot in RAW mode, I also will normally add a small amount (<10) of saturation, followed by some sharpening (which almost all digital images need).
I personally see nothing wrong with using editing tools to finalize an image to meet the photographer's vision. Tonal adjustments in PS are no different than many processing techniques used in the darkroom with film based images. I remember intentionally under-exposing my slide film in order to boost saturation. Never once did I hear someone complain that I was cheating.
I think the talk of taboo comes into play when you begin to add and remove items from the image. I have no issue with this, though I think it should be noted in comments what additional techniques were employed to create the final image.
Additionally, remember that, for those shooting JPEG, there is normally a considerable amount of processing done already, in camera. Everything from tone curves, contrast, saturation, and sharpening are being applied to create an image that is very close to 'ready-to-print'.
Bottom line: do what you feel is right to make the image conform to your vision.... after all, photography is an art form. There is nothing that requires you to produce a subject exactly how it appears in the physical world, but I think we have an obligation to state when we have gone beyond the standard tonal adjustments in producing images.
Good luck.
Bob
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CorrieLynn Jacobsen
(K=9882) - Comment Date 10/12/2005
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If you shoot digital, photoshop IS your darkroom! Dont feel guilty! And if you shoot film(like myself), I find that its nearly impossible to get perfect scans (even from negatives) without at least correcting the color or brightness or contrast to some degree. They never look like the original until i do!(I have a rather cheap film scanner)
And besides, look at computer editing as simply another tool of creativity! Yes, if you go nuts with the photoshop, definately say so, but it is by no means less of an image because you did.
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Mike Steciuk
(K=664) - Comment Date 10/12/2005
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Thanks to you all for those comments. Sorry it took so long to reply. I've been reading them as they come and have taken some advice. Most of my editing thus far has been with darkening images. Especially for the night shots. Those tend to be a bit tricky to get exposure just right, even when the meter says all is good.
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Justin Campbell
(K=1398) - Comment Date 10/18/2005
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Hi Mike. That's a very interesting question you've asked here. I can see why you've deemed digital manipulation taboo and in some ways it is. but when an option is available for a cheap price to improve the quality of your photos, why not take it? Granted, the introduction of photoshop and other DI programs has caused a lack of overall knowledge in the sport of photography. Many people never bother to learn how to develop film andhave yet to hear about Ansel Adams' zone system. I personally, feel that the use of DI programs is, in some aspects, cheating. Before I allow myself to begin a new form of digital manipulation, I always learn how to do it analog, with film. Once I have an understanding of how to do what ever I want to do the regular way, i will allow myself to use DI programs. In my opinion, if used properly, DI programs are a mere shortcut, time saver, and money saver to achieve what may have only been possible through tedious hours spent in the lab.
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Kimberly Rentler
(K=62) - Comment Date 10/19/2005
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Mike-I know how you feel about editing but you can do several darkroom like techniques within photoshop -- dodging, saturation etc. However, I do not like to edit my images much. I do use a film scanner and that enables you to expose your negatives by using several techniques -- so I feel that is more like true printing.
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George Marks
(K=71) - Comment Date 2/10/2006
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Most good photos need some editing - you just can't have it look "edited"
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George Marks
(K=71) - Comment Date 2/10/2006
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Send me an example of a night shot that you want to darken -
George Marks - weddingphotos@san.rr.com
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George Marks
(K=71) - Comment Date 2/10/2006
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Read your comment to Mike -
If you can "paint" images on canvas - why can't you insert or delete images on photos ?
Are we not talking "art" ?
George - weddingphotos@san.rr.com
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Bob Walker
(K=1066) - Comment Date 2/10/2006
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George,
The following are from my post:
"I personally see nothing wrong with using editing tools to finalize an image to meet the photographer's vision. Tonal adjustments in PS are no different than many processing techniques used in the darkroom with film based images. I remember intentionally under-exposing my slide film in order to boost saturation. Never once did I hear someone complain that I was cheating."
"I think the talk of taboo comes into play when you begin to add and remove items from the image. I have no issue with this, though I think it should be noted in comments what additional techniques were employed to create the final image."
"Bottom line: do what you feel is right to make the image conform to your vision.... after all, photography is an art form. There is nothing that requires you to produce a subject exactly how it appears in the physical world, but I think we have an obligation to state when we have gone beyond the standard tonal adjustments in producing images."
I personally could care less what methods you or anyone else uses in processing your images. My comments reflect my personal opinions about digital editing. And if you read carefully, you would be able to tell just that.
Bob
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