Why I don't use Photoshop

[dlhartman]

Really? You don't use Photoshop? Really. I love photography. I love composition and I’m kind of a nut about shallow depth of field. I even favor overexposure for effect. I just think that whatever can be done in camera should be done in camera. I try to keep things clean and simple and I think that Photoshop has an insane tendency to hinder that. It’s like having 300+ channels on your TV - the more you have, the more you watch. Editing holds the same principal. You can do some awesome things with an image and add all sorts of cool effects but just like TV, the more you can do, the more you’re likely to do. You can easily wind up with an image that is so over processed you forgot what you loved about it to begin with. Instead, your eye is drawn to the various actions and layers.

So, what do I use? Being the owner of a Canon 40D I make good use of the software that came with my camera. I do most of my editing (which is minimal and usually just consists of basics like bumping up the contrast, sharpening the edges or converting to b&w) in Canon’s Digital Photo Professional. It’s easy to learn, easy to use and still produces the results my clients expect. Will it salvage an image with poor composition? No, learn your photography basics first. If I want a little something extra, a film effect or some texture I use a program called Photoscape that you can download for free. With it you can also create pages, combine images, add a watermark and a host of other things.

Some people might call my process complicated but I wouldn’t agree. This is also one of the many ways (along with using free hosting from Wix for my website) I’m able to keep my overhead expenses low and therefore, keep my fees HIGHLY affordable. Affordability is something else I’m passionate about but that’s a separate post all together!

[wannabephotographer]

Photoshop is a really powerful tool. You should really check it out.

[SusanH1970]

I have DPP too, but it can't fix skin tones and color casts.

[Japaslavian]

Your argument seems very situational. I've been using PS forever, and maybe use 10 functions on a regular basis at most. I generally spend no more than 10 minutes on a image, so just because I make can everything pink and purple doesn't mean I do. That being said, I use those 10 functions because they essentially give me an unlimited amount of control. There is no shame in altering images to an extent. I would argue that most reasonable PS edits could have been done in the darkroom, from contrast, to brightness, to sharpening, and color adjustments, so what's the difference between doing them in a darkroom than on a computer other than saving time and losing your elitist-cred?

I do encourage people with little photography experience to stay away from PS for the exact reasons you've pointed out, but once you understand photography I see no reason for limiting yourself with inferior software, especially for professional practice. Yeah, PS is expensive, but there's a good reason for it. How would you like to spend years and years of time programming algorithms that work on a single pixel level, to just give it away for free for professionals to make millions with?

You may not like it now, but I feel like that given some time, you'll see the light...

or suffer silently.

[zona5101]

PHOTOSHOP:
before:

After:



disclaimer: random images found on internet.

[JohnT]

I think a person should use a program they are comfortable with and it should not take college courses to understand it, whether it is Lightroom, Photoshop, Elements8, Paintshop Pro, PhotoImpact, Gimp Paintnet, etc.
Many folks are hobbyists and to pay $600.00 for a editing program even if it is the best is beyond the means of many and is not practical. If a person is a pro of course it makes sense and it is tax deductable. I rather spend that kind of money on a lens than software. Those that are not selling their work but learning for self improvement should find a happy medium. .

[LeeR]

Getting good at photography is about learning to see photographically and that takes years of practice. If the tools you are using now are working for you, then you are probably where you need to be. However, the day may come when you will feel hindered by these same tools and want to experiment with the rather amazing array of tools Photoshop has to offer.
I came from a film background where getting it right in the camera was essential. No amount of darkroom wizardry could salvage a poorly exposed image, though there were some rather remarkable things that could be done in the darkroom if you did have a good image. I now see Photoshop as the darkroom of the digital age. You are right; it's far more important to master the camera side of things first, but trust me when I tell you that when you are ready for it, there are some fabulous things you can do in PS.

[dlhartman]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

I have DPP too, but it can't fix skin tones and color casts.

Photoscape can correct color casts!

[dlhartman]

Originally Posted by LeeR

Getting good at photography is about learning to see photographically and that takes years of practice. If the tools you are using now are working for you, then you are probably where you need to be. However, the day may come when you will feel hindered by these same tools and want to experiment with the rather amazing array of tools Photoshop has to offer.
I came from a film background where getting it right in the camera was essential. No amount of darkroom wizardry could salvage a poorly exposed image, though there were some rather remarkable things that could be done in the darkroom if you did have a good image. I now see Photoshop as the darkroom of the digital age. You are right; it's far more important to master the camera side of things first, but trust me when I tell you that when you are ready for it, there are some fabulous things you can do in PS.

Thank you, I agree. I'm just not there yet.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by zona5101

PHOTOSHOP:
before:

After:



disclaimer: random images found on internet.

hahaha.........