Editing with Photoshop - Good or Bad

[500mL]

If I edit my photos using CS2 - ie. adjusted colors, tone, adding/changing/applying warm or cool filters, chnage from color to b&w - is that still acceptable as a "good photography"? Just curious.

[truflip]

yes. :) ,,,,,,,

[AdamW]

To me that's like asking if using a word pocessing program instead of a pencil is "good writing."

What you're doing in photoshop is no different from what film photographers have done for over a hundred years, except rather than using different types of film, physical lens filters, and many different darkroom techniques, you're doing it on the computer.

The image is not the thing, it is a new thing in itself. If you like how it looks, then it's "good photography."

On the other hand, I always think I'm getting better at this on those rare occasions when I download a picture, open it in photoshop, and realize I like it just the way it is! :D

[zmikers]

On the other hand, I always think I'm getting better at this on those rare occasions when I download a picture, open it in photoshop, and realize I like it just the way it is! :D

I definately agree that the post processing is part of photography and doesn't leson the "art" in any way. There are times when I take a shot knowing exactly what I'm going to do to the picture in photoshop. Like you said above, its like using filters on your camera, just apply them later. Adam, I agree that I love that feeling when you don't have to touch a thing and straight out of the camera is perfect. It's like a high for me:D

[500mL]

Thanks for the input guys. Just curious about how people would perceive it after they learn that it was enhanced using Photoshop. :cool:

[danidabi]

I don't think there is anything wrong with using PS. It is still art because I'm sorry but an idiot can use PS but you need to have a eye for picking the right options to use to get the best out of your pictures.

[gmtech79]

Enhancing images in PP to me is ok but it drives me nuts when I hear or see people take a picture, see that it is bad on the camera's LCD and just say "oh, I will just fix that in photoshop". Just one of my pet peeves. I have no problem with someone working hard to get a good exposure in camera and then using photoshop to help them develop what they want the image to say. I am by no means an excellent photographer but I try to do the best I can with the camera to begin with. Just my .02

[BowerR64]

I mostly use auto levels latley, alot of the time ill click auto levels and nothing happens i dont see any change. Thats a good feeling when it doesnt need to adjust anything.

Sometimes i see the white balance change and the brightness and contrast adjust sometimes i get it right.

It can help develope your eye to what it thinks is close to the correct levels.

[nap]

But having photoshop does not mean you should take mediocre shots all the time. For me, part of photography is getting the best picture possible using the camera. If necessary, then that's the time you have to PP it.

I also believe that a person's skills as a photographer should improve as time goes by - regardless of their current ability. Take a look at the pictures in the "some S3 pics" thread, I can see most people improving their style and technical skills as time goes by. Others who entered the thread will already good photography skills still improved during the course of their stay.

Even the photographer who shot my wedding, he was considered as one of the best in the industry when we got married 7 months ago. But looking at his shots now, I think he got even better.

[500mL]

I mostly use auto levels latley, alot of the time ill click auto levels and nothing happens i dont see any change. Thats a good feeling when it doesnt need to adjust anything.

Sometimes i see the white balance change and the brightness and contrast adjust sometimes i get it right.

It can help develope your eye to what it thinks is close to the correct levels.

Yeah I use the Auto Levels on Photoshop and it does make me feel a lot better after seeing no difference applied on the image :)

[BowerR64]

It has helped me with exsposure but i still am not good with composition. Thats the hard part now.

[jonalta]

I think digital photography is almost always coupled with some form of PP. So essentially there is no single JPG shot that is nakedly produced by light through the lens.
PS or any other editing software were made to aid photography. I think that modern photography is not only a skill of manipulating the camera but also includes the patience of making the photo better with PP.
How nice the feeling of coming up with a good photo using a cheaper S3 + PS that may just be comparable with a photo taken with a $4000 dSLR and lens set. :)

However, the skill of knowing what to shoot, where to stand and how far or close are still the most basic skills that no amount of PP can duplicate or replace!:D

[danidabi]

Yeah I use the Auto Levels on Photoshop and it does make me feel a lot better after seeing no difference applied on the image

I have noticed this with alot of shots too lately. It feels great!

I also believe that a person's skills as a photographer should improve as time goes by - regardless of their current ability. Take a look at the pictures in the "some S3 pics" thread, I can see most people improving their style and technical skills as time goes by. Others who entered the thread will already good photography skills still improved during the course of their stay.

I agree with this too. I have already noticed a huge difference with my photos. I have lots of pics I didn't PS, some just need a bit more help to look great.

[XaiLo]

to my digital darkroom. Chemicals have been replaced by digital filters and all I can say is mmmm... my lungs are better off. ;) Some pics I just want to retain as much of the natural ambiance and flavor as possible. Then again at times the photoshop vortex draws me into the twilight zone of possibilities where anything goes. Sometimes purest and artist meet, sometimes they don't... and that's cool too. What matters is the end result. :cool: