Question from a noob

[SusieMet]

I always see these great images. And I become very inspired. But I have to wonder. How much PP goes into photos? I know there are images that clearly are worked on. But on your pics not made to look like they are PP do you do any kind of editing? Fixing colors and cropping and such. Just wondering how many people have wonderful pictures come straight from the camera.

Two words:

A lot.

Yes, most if not ALL of the 'good' photos you see have been PP'd to some degree.

~Eric

[photonoobie]

Originally Posted by SusieMet

I always see these great images. And I become very inspired. But I have to wonder. How much PP goes into photos? I know there are images that clearly are worked on. But on your pics not made to look like they are PP do you do any kind of editing? Fixing colors and cropping and such. Just wondering how many people have wonderful pictures come straight from the camera.

Get a good prime lens and you'll see image quality, colour and contrast make the picture for you. You could process this further, but with a decent lens, you shouldn't have to and many people, including myself, don't. (I'm not a "purist" in any way, just a lazy bastard)

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by SusieMet

I always see these great images. And I become very inspired. But I have to wonder. How much PP goes into photos? I know there are images that clearly are worked on. But on your pics not made to look like they are PP do you do any kind of editing? Fixing colors and cropping and such. Just wondering how many people have wonderful pictures come straight from the camera.

Some images have a lot, some have little, and some have non. Would be nice sometimes if those that don't say did, and I always reckon that a quick what I did helps others even if not in detail.

[henryscat]

Also remember that post-processing is nothing new!
Cropping, dodging, burning etc all comes from the good old days of film and was just as necessary back then as it is today to achieve the desired result.

However it is also essential to not rely on the computer to fix mistakes, but tweak the final result.

[OsmosisStudios]

I dont often edit my pictures past raw processing.

[Saralonde]

It depends. Sometimes I like to play with Photoshop, practicing different techniques, trying to learn what an editing program can do. I might like to change an image from color to b&w or boost the contrast or color a little. Plus some of my shots can really benefit with a little extra help .
But even my SOOC shots often get a crop or, sometimes, bit of sharpening. So I'm guessing a lot of pics here have some processing done to them.

[Murtasma]

In the beginning I had to do lots of post processing. Now I find myself spending about 5 - 10 minutes on an image. Usually just cloning out unwanted details that could not have been removed in camera and some minor color and curve adjustments.

[prince]

When you are learning both photography and pp at the same time, it might get overwhelming and frustrating sometimes. I find that with good lens you will get very close to that perfect photo that you've in mind, but might need some pp like increasing contrast, boosting colors, cropping, etc.

As you get better at photography like composing for example, you will spend less time cropping in pp.. or of you learn to get the right exposure, you might spend less time boosting contrast and colors.. but to be a purist and have perfect photos SOOC all the time is tough.. everyone might do some lvl of pp depending on the expected final result and interest in pp..

If you are just starting out learning photography and pp, I'd suggest to stick to basics and aim for getting good quality pics SOOC..

This was a discussion I had some time back and got some great points from members who replied, might help to read through.. How do you define photography?

[SusieMet]

Thank you so much for all the responses. I am amazed and inspired at so many photographers. I am glad to know that post production helps make these pictures what they are. I look at mine and feel so insignificant at times. But knowing that it is pretty common makes me feel better.