Do you consider post-processing to be part of the "art?"

[AndyNJ]

Obviously most photos end up needing some post-processing for some reason or another, but what are you thoughts on dramatically changing the photo after it's been taken?

I ask because I enjoy taking a single photo and making a dozen or so different versions of it. Some will be various different black and white versions, some will just get "beat up" a bit, some will have the colors faded or the highlights blown out a little for effect, and others will have various different "effects" to produce a dramatically different looking image. I end up finding that while I think the original photo may be good, I like some of these other version a lot more even though they aren't "real."

[Photologyst]

In a word: Yes!

Prior to PP there was the chemical darkroom. While there were fewer options, same difference.

[candidrachel]

NO! I am a purist and a photograph is a photograph not some obviously post processed garbage from some software.

[Murtasma]

Does it matter what others think? Shouldn't you do what you enjoy making? Some like their photographs straight from the camera, others like to do lots of post processing.

Let your work speak for it's self.

[johnree]

I believe its all up to the persons preferences on how they want to do things. Agreed with Murtasma

NO! I am a purist and a photograph is a photograph not some obviously post processed garbage from some software

Respectable. But keep in mind photoshop is basically the photographers darkroom. To change the exposure in photoshop is exactly like the darkroom. Depending on how long you leave the photo in the chemical will determine your final outcome of the exposure on film cameras.

There arent very many major differences between digital cameras and film cameras. ISO setting can be changed on film cameras by changing the roll of the film. ect ect

[jeff.amadon]

This argument again. I wish the International Photography Council would come out with a ruling on this, already!

I think the mark of an artist is someone who's settled this question for themselves, or has accepted that its an evolving thing, and is content in just practicing their art, whatever that may be.

Originally Posted by candidrachel

NO! I am a purist and a photograph is a photograph not some obviously post processed garbage from some software.

There are several things wrong with this statement but I'm not going to comment because I have a feeling you're being sarcastic...

[RobClaytonPhotography]

There can be little doubt that 'art' can certainly be created on such programs as Photoshop, and indeed a great deal of skill, imagination and creativity can often be required. While I am aware that such programmes can make some photographers lazy in the taking of their pictures, there are very few pics (no matter how well taken) that can't be improved in some way by digital touch-ups....

No PP is BS. EVERYONE does post-processing, whether you know it or not. Your camera does post-processing if you shoot in JPEG (suprise!). Shoot in RAW? Lightroom or Photoshop will convert it to JPEG, and that requires post-processing.

All the best photographers post-process. Ansel Adams post-processed the sh!@ out of his photos. Ask anyone that worked with him (and I have asked), and they'll tell you that post-processing is ESSENTIAL to good photography.

Is there bad post-processing? Absolutely. And I think that's where a lot of people get confused on this issue. Photos that have obviously been PPed are usually frowned upon, and no longer considered "photography". But photos that are PPed properly and with great skill...most people can't tell they've been manipulated.

One of my photos just won "Best of Show" at our local camera clubs annual photo contest. Post-processed? You betcha. Heavy PP? Oh yeah. This was two photos, spliced together, increased black levels, increased vibrance, cloned out some balloon debri, and removed a lot of spray.



Saying "Post-processing is not part of photography" is just plain naive.

[candidrachel]

I think I am going to fly away to somewhere because everyone I speak to on-line and in real life lately seems to think I am acting sarcastically. One of my friend on facebook just now said "Have I done something wrong lately because you are acting off with me?". AAAARRRGGGHH

I'm just being me

[Sterling]

It's been my experience that the people most opposed to post processing know the least about it.