Is Post-Processing Necessary?

[jpegjill]

Though I just joined these forums today, I've been a long-time lurker of the site. It seems as though everyone uses post-processing techniques; enhancing colors, smoothing skin imperfections, swapping a cloudy sky for a sunny one, etc.

Am I in the minority that I prefer NOT to do this? Is it because I'm a naive amateur? Am I being idealistic that a great shot can be taken without alterations? Is it because I don't know PS, and am a little intimidated by it? I understand the need for it in certain cases (advertising, for example, where the client wants his product to be perfect), but it seems to be the final step in the photography process for most people.

I'm not knocking anyone for processing their photos, I'm just wondering - is it really necessary? Do I have any hope of taking excellent photos without the extra "help"?

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by jpegjill

Am I in the minority that I prefer NOT to do this?

Probably not the total minority since this is a discussion that comes up a lot, but kinda.

Originally Posted by jpegjill

Is it because I'm a naive amateur?

Probably.

Originally Posted by jpegjill

Am I being idealistic that a great shot can be taken without alterations?

A little. Great shots can be taken without alterations, but when it comes down to it, more often than not a little bit really takes it over the edge to make it a really great shot.

Originally Posted by jpegjill

Is it because I don't know PS, and am a little intimidated by it?

Again, probably. PS is a pretty intimidating program. But just because it's intimidating doesn't mean you should avoid it.

Originally Posted by jpegjill

I'm not knocking anyone for processing their photos, I'm just wondering - is it really necessary?

Most of the time, yes. Especially if you shoot RAW. If you shoot JPG, you might get a shot that doesn't really need a whole lot of post-processing, but RAW always will.

Originally Posted by jpegjill

Do I have any hope of taking excellent photos without the extra "help"?

Maybe.

In all seriousness, post-processing is really the darkroom aspect of photography. Even Walgreens or your local lab is going to do some level of adjustment to your photos if you send them in.

[RichardTaylor]

@jpegjill

Have a look at this thread.

Amature Photographer; Post Processing, how much?

[jpegjill]

Thank you both for your replies. I think I have a bigger problem with heavy post processing, where the photo turns more into a PS job than a photograph.

I understand how certain enhancements can improve an image, make it more balanced, etc. I'm hoping to keep it to minimum, however. I suppose I have more learning to do than I thought!

@RichardTaylor, thank you for the link, very informative!

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by jpegjill

I'm not knocking anyone for processing their photos, I'm just wondering - is it really necessary? Do I have any hope of taking excellent photos without the extra "help"?

Yes, usually. and Yes, sometimes.

It's pretty much as the above posts confirm. Depending on the universe, shooting JPG is alot like shooting Polaroid, the processing happens in the camera - dependent upon the JPG settings. You just have less control over the processing. If you shoot jpg and you want to do excellent photos without the extra help - make sure you nail the white balance.

Shooting RAW and it's a necessity. Raw lets you do all of the processing, make the decisions yourself - and often leads to better quality than through JPG (but doesn't start there, doesn't even start equal)

Some photographers, such as Ansel Adams, took post processing into account before even taking the exposure - and it is still possible with digital, to learn to anticipate what will be done to an image, so that data can be captured that will let you get what you want.

Alot of new photographers shun processing - I think, they (like I was) are just scared of the daunting task of so much to learn. So should you do your own processing? If you want optimal quality and ultimate control, yes. If you are happy with your results - maybe not. If you want to improve, probably.

but "where the photo turns more into a PS job than a photograph." as you say, is and can be a problem. The reality is simple - "Garbage in - Garbage out". The better job done with exposure, the less of a PS job it will be. I should also note - that my definition of post processing, is different from image alteration - I don't think one needs to swap a grey sky for a cloudy one, or smooth skin imperfections. I mean adjusting tones, sharpness, color balance, contrast, saturation.. If you want to go into altering pixels - well, you're welcome to, sometimes it's the final image that matters. The real question is the goal of your image, photojournalists - wouldn't make such "alterations", artists might, if it suits them, fashion photographers most likely would. In the end, it's all up to you.

[JFSanders]

I'm just wondering - is it really necessary?

Nope, even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. If you want consistently good images you will have to post process at some point. Although it can be done with extreme patience and the willingness to sit there until the lighting and elements are just right.

Jim

[ErikUngerPhotography]

It depends on a few things.

1) What are the shooting conditions? sometimes (a lot of times) you have no control over the lighting situation. If I have an important shoot or just trying to capture a great landscape/wildlife, I could have the best possible exposure for the given light, but with a little post can make the image perfect.

2) What look are you trying to go for? I didn't really shoot in the days of film, but I grew up around it and have tried to learn a little about it. There are many different types of film the yield different looks. Same with processing the image in the darkroom (platinum poladium for example). If you want that look with digital, you are going to need post.

3) Post processing digital is todays darkroom! Darkroom work was processing an image. You chose how long to expose the paper, dodge and burning areas to do selective brightening, and then there are different chemicals for that can drastically give the photo a different look.

There are many different reasons to use post processing. Some are as simple as just adjusting the levels or colors while some might involve way more to go for an artistic look. There is a line to be drawn somewhere when it comes to post, but that is one you have to find yourself.

[honeyy]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Probably not the total minority since this is a discussion that comes up a lot, but kinda.

Probably.

A little. Great shots can be taken without alterations, but when it comes down to it, more often than not a little bit really takes it over the edge to make it a really great shot.

Again, probably. PS is a pretty intimidating program. But just because it's intimidating doesn't mean you should avoid it.

Most of the time, yes. Especially if you shoot RAW. If you shoot JPG, you might get a shot that doesn't really need a whole lot of post-processing, but RAW always will.

Maybe.

In all seriousness, post-processing is really the darkroom aspect of photography. Even Walgreens or your local lab is going to do some level of adjustment to your photos if you send them in.

post-processing----- sometines yes....

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by honeyy

post-processing----- sometines yes....

More like most of the time.

[Zeke Menuar]

I'm new to digital photography and I too have an aversion to post processing. I have Irfanview and I use it sparingly.

I've decided to go out in the world, take pictures and do my best to get it right in the field. Learning the camera is daunting enough. A complicated program like Lightroom for example causes my brain to meltdown.

Once I'm comfortable with my Nikon then I'll give Photoshop my full attention. But for now, I'm focused on getting a decent shot of the bumblebees in my flower garden.

Is post processing necessary? No, But it sure helps if you know how to use it properly. I'm taking photography one step at a time, and I'm not ready for Photoshop right now.