Thoughts on Photoshop

I am curious to know thoughts on using Photoshop or other post manipulation of pictures. I know some photo purists who don't like any kind of color saturation or anything like that. I also fully appreciate how much more amazing a picture can look after a Photoshop session.

Does anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other? Or is it something that depends on the subject, the picture and how you're feeling that day? A completely creative decision in the moment?

D Alishouse
Denver Wedding Photography | Destination Wedding Photographer

Personally, I think it depends on the photo.

I sometimes take photos with the thought of editing it after in Photoshop. While others seem to come out fine and don't need any touching up.

I think either way is cool, although I will admit that I tend to touch up more than not.

It's kinda like the acoustic guitar vs the electric guitar. They are both good for different reasons and give you different end results. You will always have camps for both.

I see what you're saying. I have had times when what comes out of the camera is exactly what I want, then there's no need to do anything. There are other times when I think it's fine and then after I lay a filter over it or tweak it a bit I can't imagine going back to the original!

I suppose it's a matter of style and letting your creative side make the final decision.

D Alishouse
Boulder Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer

Yep. Although I imagine in the world of freelance photography, post editing work is much more used that 'strait for camera' work as usually money and clients are involved and thus everything needs to be perfect.

Photography is not just for recording what is in front of you...it's an artistic medium in it's own right and with the advent of digital the possibilities are endless.

DTyrer,

That is a very good point. Using post editing techniques isn't always about "fixing" what might have gone wrong. It can be about creating a style, using the photograph to create a digital painting if you will.

Very true, thank you for the reply!

D Alishouse
Boulder Photography | Destination Wedding Photographer

I think that if the photo looks good, does it matter whether it was achieved in camera or through post production?

I've actually started having a play with Photomatix, and Topaz software. Also started to print my own canvasses. I revisited some of my old 'stock' photos and dropped them into Photomatix HDR and was amazed at how they changed from being just a reasonably good photo to a "Picture" that I was happy to put on the wall. Thoroughly revived my enthusiasm. Even managed to sell a few from craft fairs I attended last November. You can see some examples of my canvasses at:
http://www.kathyhancock.net/galleries/canvasGallery/index.html

So I agree with the above thoughts, these days, even if you can't 'paint', you can still learn to be artistic. Not that I think mine are particularly but I'm learning all the time!

That's some nice stuff you have done there Kathy.