How often do you post process?

[private]

Sara, for news photos, don't they sharpen or convert to b/w? That's also pp or have I been using the term incorrectly?

[Saralonde]

True, I'm sure they crop, too. I was just making the assumption the op meant more than that, something that might change the original. But rereading the post, I think I read too much into it.

[jocelynaz]

Okay, now I feel A LOT better (and not feeling like I was "cheating" somehow) post processing many of my shots. I have never worked with film cameras before (as far as a serious photography hobby) and didn't realize they did a lot of post processing then. Something new to me!

Thanks for the great feedback on this!

[Cuchulainn]

Yes definitely okay to crop as long as you don't crop out a significant amount of the photo thereby altering what it represents.

The basic rule of thumb from the NPPA (National Press Photographers Associate) code of ethics is this:

Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add to or alter them in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

There is historic evidence of photographic manipulations dating back to Civil War photos however.

Originally Posted by Saralonde

True, I'm sure they crop, too. I was just making the assumption the op meant more than that, something that might change the original. But rereading the post, I think I read too much into it.

[intofotos]

I aim to always to get it right technically 100% in-camera and use PP for tweaking & creative finishes rather than relying on it to fix bad photographic errors ... but hey I do them too sadly =(

[dickyknee]

Until recently I would have said never.
Talking to members at a local camera club I found that for the competitions it was a normal thing to photoshop everything, I thought a photo comp was all done with a camera, light, filters etc. Otherwise it would be a computer operators comp. I too felt cheated.
However if you cant beat them, join them. Why feel guilty if it is the norm.

[DragonRider51]

As a wedding photographer I touch a very regular number of images in post processing. Of course I sort with a very critical eye and the client will see less than 50% that I shoot and usually much less; about 20%. That number is taken from over one thousand images so they will see 300-500. THAT is a lot of images to look through and most people would have trouble sitting still long enough to concentrate on that many shots.

Of those images I will use roughly 100 for creation of an album and of those 100 I will enhance every one to get the framing, exposure, vignette, etc. just right for presentation in the album. That doesn't include creating composite images of three or four different images into one panel for an album.

If a client orders prints I will touch those images as well to crop to the correct aspect ratio for the size and ensure that each one looks as good as possible. Then I will place my logo in the corner for copyright/studio protection (limited though that method may be).

My goal is to complete this entire process in less than one week. I haven't been able to achieve that goal, but I remain optimistic that I will be able to get there some day. I am still operating part time on weekends and evenings only while I am still working a full time day job so that seriously restricts the time I have available. I feel that once I am able to change to full time photo work, I should be able to get everything done within that one-week time frame.

[co_whistlepig]

It depends on what I'm doing with the photos. I shoot everything in RAW so I have to processed the photos. That being said if they photos aren't anything spectacular, like birthday party snap shots, then I just convert them to jpeg in ACR, adjusting for contrasts, saturation, and exposure. If they are artistic or portrait photos then I only process the selects. With these photos I will touch up skin, clarity, tones, etc.

[Buckmiester]

As a neophyte photographer I post process almost 100% of the time. I'm interested to see what other photographers say.

[carolbrowne]

I post-process just about every picture I post on my blog. I do touch ups and I like to sharpen things. I just like the look of that best.