That's exactly the point.
It isn't burdensome but it is misleading.
Why is it misleading? Is it wrong information?
Much of the time, the tools are both irrelevant and incidental.
Then why the comments about how, for example, changing one step would change the picture, or how learning how to use certain tools will "change the way you edit forever?"
It's like asking a writer what kind of word processor he/she uses.
It's off the track and gives the tool too much importance because there are tens of tools and hundreds of pathways.
But if someone knows next to nothing, then it's at least a place to start, right?
A clear example is that you used the idea of a mask to darken something in a previous comment. You fixated on that as the key when it is a minuscule, almost irrelevant tool. It is like thinking one can design and build a house because one knows how to work a hammer or a saw.
I didn't "fixate" on it. I used it as an example because 1) that was the tool mentioned in Joe's post, and because 2) it is something that I don't know how to use and the examples he posted helped me learn something more about it.
It gave me a starting point. Now I have a better understanding of the next thing I might experiment with an practice to see if it's of any use to me. But without his mentioning it, it would still be off the radar.
And if it's so irrelevant, then why bother learning about it?
Like I said, from the perspective of someone who knows nothing or next to nothing about editing, ANY information is valuable. Why are you so against this?
What is important is why one does something and the desired end point, then the appropriate process can be determined after that.
And just how is a beginner supposed to just know what the appropriate process is?
I am happy to tell people what I did something and why - and let them puzzle out the best way to do it that works in their hands.
When did I EVER say that we are supposed to instruct them on the way to do it? When did I EVER say anything other than "just a few words" or "just a quick mention of tools used so that then the beginner can have a starting point to know what things to practice"?
I don't know how many ways I can say this and have it misunderstood yet again.
1) NO, we don't have to explain post processing in detail.
2) NO, we are not telling people what they should do with their own photos.
2) Yes, learners have responsibility to do their own work.
3) Yes, editing a photo for someone else can be a useful teaching tool, BUT...
4) NO, it's not the best tool for everyone.
5) Saying "This technique is not useful for me personally" is NOT saying "This technique is bad," JUST AS...
6) Saying "Some information is helpful to me" is NOT saying "Tell me what to do."
7) Not every learner request must be indulged...BUT...
8) ...the teacher must also be flexible and be open to the fact that not every person is going to learn from their preferred technique. And if that requires the learner simply going to someone else, so be it. The teacher doesn't have to change his or her style completely.
9) If the teacher and learner styles don't mesh, it does NOT mean the teacher is bad, and it does NOT mean the leaner is a slacker.
10)"You don't know what you don't know" usually manifests as a learner who thinks he or she doesn't have anything to learn. "I have a new DLSR and 100 likes on Facebook, so I'm ready to be a wedding photographer!" But someone who is asking for a certain kind of information understands that he or she does NOT know much and is looking for any information to get a start on learning more. This is someone who DOES understand that he or she doesn't know and is trying to rectify that.
And I really have no more energy for repeating myself any further.
I thought that being more open about our own post processing might be a good thing to consider in order to further this site's reputation as a place to learn. There are some who are open to this idea and I for one would be happy to start discussing it more openly on my own posts. It's not even that I've been secretive about it - it's just that I don't do a lot. Others think that learners should just go figure it out on their own, or have it shown by editing photos for the other person. I don't care to participate in that based on my own personal preferences for learning and based on my own status as someone still learning about basic post processing.
Do with that what you will.