Photoshop dilemma

[vinjk]

I'm relatively new to photography. So far I have not used photo editing software for any major editing other than cropping. The reason for that is 1) I don't know how to use photoshop (I use Picasa 3), 2) I have this thinking that using softwares like photoshop for changing colours, making the sky and clouds really 'dramatic' or adding blur or depth of focus and such like undermines the skill of a photographer. A photographer should get the best image using his camera alone and therein lies his skill.

I would like to know whether my second reason is BS (!)

[KathrynWilson]

This is something of a neverending debate now amongst photogs...

In my opinion it's the final step. You work in Photoshop just the way a photographer would have worked in the darkroom when they shot film. The digital sensor can't possibly render in that file all the depth and contrast etc etc that you captured, nor will it get every color the way you wanted it every time. Of course you can become as skilled as possible at using your camera and get your metering, white balance etc as accurate as you can, but there is still going to be some finishing off that needs to be done, and with digital photography, we use tools like Photoshop to do that. It's not about dramatically altering an image (well, it can be, but it doesn't have to be), it's about making the image the best it can be.

[kencaleno]

Truth to tell, no photographer has ever achieved total success without manipulation, yes even with film,darkroom, dodge and burn,toning,bleaching,Ben Day tinting, posterization,bas relief etc. That's a myth busted, but in all fairness,the more you get right in camera, the less photoshopping you need to do. regards, Ken

[fletch]

The skill of the photographer is in producing the final image. Regardless of the process used to get there, whether it is SOOC or created in photoshop or manipulated in a darkroom.

The skill of a pro photogrpaher is to be able to guarantee producing the final image at a cost people are willing to pay. This is made significantly easier if they get it right in camera but no client actually cares how they got the final image, just that they got it.

[vinjk]

hey! thanks for the advise

[xxpinballxx]

all images you see on walls or in mags have been altered...some are so altered you wouldnt even believe it but they do it so it looks like its always been there.......
there is no cheating in art......other than stealing someones art out right.
manipulate away! I love using photoshop and not just for levels but I like trying out new and overdone artistic shots.....If others think its "cheating" then dont loook at my stuff......