How much photoshopping

[UKbob]

We all like to be good at what we do, and part of the 'feeling good about our work' comes from comparing it to the work of others (its only natural to do so) Sure its about fun, but its also about improving/achieving, so that we feel satisfied with our investment of time and the finished product.

If you're like me (a perfectionist at times) someone who hasnt done any design in years, it can be a bit daunting looking at the top rated photos on www.photo.net Some of them are just SO heavily processed, they are more design and less photo. Other photos arnt changed, they are more photo than design, but without the professionally done PSing they wouldnt be half as good as they are.

Photography does seem as much about graphic design as it does taking photographs. And more daunting with digital, if you're inclined to comparing your work to others.

[poah]

my friend recently one a photo comp at the local camera sociaty. it was a collage of three images blended into one. more and more its about who is best with photoshop that provides the best image.

[HankScorpio]

I don't do much true photoshopping, it's mostly post-processing which I think is different.

One relies heavily on design skills and the other is more of a digital darkroom.
I don't have any design skill but I like to think I can manipulate an image straight off the camera to make the best of it with cropping, colouring, saturation, sharpening etc. All these techniques originated in the darkroom so I don't think of it as "photoshopping", just "post processing".

[simpo two]

What he said.

Also very handy for b/w, sepia and other tints.

I don't much care for tutorial-style montages; I'd rather find a good picture than have to invent one.

[badbeachbuggy]

They're all images to me, I don't care how they come about

If something has been well photoshopped you might not even notice anyway which could have taken alot longer in post processing than an obviously photoshopped image.

>> Edited by badbeachbuggy on Tuesday 14th February 12:33

[406tm]

Bob

Have you got Photoshop?

Dave

406tm

[_dobbo_]

I love playing in photoshop!

If it looks good, that's fine by me, regardless of what process was involved in creating it.

[UKBob]

406tm said:

Bob Have you got Photoshop? Dave 406tm

Yes and no. Had it, used Paint shop pro instead, deleted PSP to learn PS but gave up design when I hired designers. Not having done ANY graphic work in 4 years, I bought elements, dont like it, and havnt learnt anything.

_dobbo_ said:

I love playing in photoshop!

I liked playing too, but dont have the time to just play. And I dont like the idea of having to learn PS to be able to get my images looking good as everyone elses (because I dont have the time, and im lazy)

[simpo two]

UKBob said:

And I dont like the idea of having to learn PS to be able to get my images looking good as everyone elses (because I dont have the time, and im lazy)

Good honesty, but a DSLR won't get great shots straight of the bag every time like a compact. I think you really have to find the time to get a basic competence in PS, or you'll be wasting 90% of your 30D.

[crmcatee]

Bob,

Deja vu - You know my feelings on this - and I'm with Hank and the others here.

A photograph to me is what the camera sensor see's - post production work is fine - exposure control / sharpening cropping etc As soon as you load it up into Photoshop you're going to add things that the camera didn't see.

I like both aspects of imaging - but prefer photography as opposed to digital imaging if that makes sense.

[UKBob]

crmcatee said:

Bob, Deja vu - You know my feelings on this - and I'm with Hank and the others here. A photograph to me is what the camera sensor see's - post production work is fine - exposure control / sharpening cropping etc As soon as you load it up into Photoshop you're going to add things that the camera didn't see. I like both aspects of imaging - but prefer photography as opposed to digital imaging if that makes sense.

I know what you mean, praps laziness will determine the outcome of my photos. Photography is about being creative. The photo below is by no means complex compared to some PS jobs, it just sucks to think that without a lot of effort learning PS, I wont ever be able to 'compete' with pics like these


I did try a floating gerbil shoot once (without PS)... it didnt go too well

[simpo two]

UKBob said:

it just sucks to think that without a lot of effort learning PS, I wont ever be able to 'compete' with pics like these

Oh I dunno; if you get the photography right you can get pretty close by just adding the border (optional) and makeing it sepia.

To make sepia (serves one)

Place the image carefully in Photoshop and remove the colour thus:

Image > Adjust > Channel Mixer > Monochrome

Spice up to taste as follows:

Image > Adjust > Colour balance. Add a dash of red and a matching dash of yellow.

Leave to cool and 'Serve As'.

HTH

>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 14th February 19:39