Picture Editing

Christer · Apr 15, 2011

Hello,

I think this is my first post, I registered a while ago, and I've been reading quite a few posts on these forums.

Through my readings, and looking at other members pictures, I am left with an impression that half the pictures that are shown are edited. And I am sort of left with an impressions that the pictures I take myself are uncomparable (as I'm not that good at editing pictures). Are my speculations correct, regarding editing of pictures?

Also, it would be great if someone could show me a before and after photograph.

~ Christer

480sparky · Apr 15, 2011

Editing (or post processing) is only one tool available to photographers.

Here's a shot, straight from the camera, only downsized for viewing on the web:

Same shot, with some editing:

mwcfarms · Apr 15, 2011

Christer said:
Hello,

I think this is my first post, I registered a while ago, and I've been reading quite a few posts on these forums.

Through my readings, and looking at other members pictures, I am left with an impression that half the pictures that are shown are edited. And I am sort of left with an impressions that the pictures I take myself are uncomparable (as I'm not that good at editing pictures). Are my speculations correct, regarding editing of pictures?

Also, it would be great if someone could show me a before and after photograph.

~ Christer

You would be correct in that assumption. Many of us shoot RAW and editting is unavoidable, its the degree of post processing which differs. Some prefer a bit more than others. I would hate this to become another debate over is it really photography vs graphic arts or digital imaging etc. You can decide for yourself what amount your comfortable with and how much the end result pleases you.

On a side note, Youtube has tonnes of editting videos to help you become familiar with different processes such as gimp, photoshop elements, lightroom, aperture and CS2 - 5. Get a pen and paper handy, take some notes and try it out. All of these programs have free trials I believe and gimp is free altogether.

FavillePhoto · Apr 15, 2011

I would assume that most professional photographers do touch up their photos, although I can't speak for everyone. If learning Photoshop interests you, you can probably find Photoshop classes at your local community college. And while you're enrolled in school, you qualify for a student discount if you want to purchase Photoshop. Other than that, there are a ton of tutorial websites with step by step instructions and videos all over the internet, just do a google search.

Edsport · Apr 16, 2011

You say that you think about half is edited, i'd say more like 99% is edited...

The_Traveler · Apr 16, 2011

Even if you don't do anything on the computer, your pictures have been edited already by virtue of the setting you chose for your camera.

It is silly to say that artistry stops when the shutter button is pressed.

Eva D · Apr 16, 2011

The only editing I do to my pictures is auto contrast and convert it to black and white occasionally. I am a beginner photographer and I know that my images are not comparable to most of the images on the forum.

dylanstraub · Apr 16, 2011

I've been here for a while but I still consider myself a beginner at photography. Every time I go out with my camera I learn or relearn something and it is a process that takes time to develop. Up till recently I did not want anything to do with Photoshop. I wanted to learn my camera and understand what settings to use for each shot. I have been at this for a while and I am just starting to understnad the value of tools like photoshop. My point is this; don't feel that your less of a photographer because your shots are not post processed. Instead learn your camera well and try your hand at some basic pp like contrast hue saturation etc. You should also post your work here so you can get some constructive critique of your work.

Rohnald · Apr 16, 2011

480sparky said:
Editing (or post processing) is only one tool available to photographers.

Here's a shot, straight from the camera, only downsized for viewing on the web:

Same shot, with some editing:

I think without editing picture look beautiful, the background color is very dark in edit picture.

analog.universe · Apr 16, 2011

Hey! this is my first post here, been lurking a while

I just wanted to add that I've really gotten into the process of "developing" raw files, which is something i didn't even think about when i was first getting going. Most of the time this is the only editing I do to a photo (not always though). I think of it from the perspective that if I don't do it, the camera will, and it has no idea what I really want... so it's just going to standardise, which is consistent but a little mediocre. Most times your camera will come with free software to process RAW. It's not the best, but I still think it's better than accepting the camera defaults. I use ufraw on linux, which is robust and free, but I'm not sure if it runs on other operating systems.

+1 to what others said about youtubing and online tutorials.

Super Simple · Apr 16, 2011

I think that it probably should be said that if you're going to do serious editing, you will also need a serious monitor. You can't just "edit" on a monitor that can't perform well enough. For casual editing, any monitor will do. You just want to try and calibrate it as best you can.

I'm sure you can also find video tutorials on Youtube about how to calibrate your monitor.

Christer · May 18, 2011

Thanks for all the replies

Sorry I didnt answere sooner, been busy with exams - so it just constantly got put off.

The before and after picture was very helpful. I've downloaded a lot of CS5 tutorials that are dedicated to photography editing. Also got a lot of tutorials on actual photography, so hopefully I'm well on my way to getting some useful results from my camera

Once again, thanks for all the replies.

bennielou · May 18, 2011

Editing is super important if you want to stand out from the pack. Even with a great photo, at a unique angle, there will be someone who comes along that takes the same photo, and amps it a bit to make the color pop a bit more, dodge and burn, or tweak it just a bit to make the most of it.

As far a editing, I'd say open any magazine and find something that is no way tweaked. You won't find it. Every single photo you see will be tweaked to some extent. Some are slight and others are over the top.

clanthar · May 18, 2011

Christer said:
Also, it would be great if someone could show me a before and after photograph.

~ Christer

Editing is an essential component of the entire process. Here's a before and after for you. I took the photo last month on a walk along the Meramec river. I saw pretty much what the camera saw (before), but I also saw what I knew it would look like (after).

Joe

orb9220 · May 18, 2011

Yep and pretty much all cameras will not take the same image with the same lens in exactly the same way.
So jpegs you are letting the camera decide what is right with some control on telling how sharp,vivid,etc.. And every camera model seems to do it differently. From sharpness to color reproduction,etc..

With Raw it's all there in truer form of raw data. And up to the photographer to adjust to his preference and vision.

For me 90% of the time it needs sharpening,curves adjusted to some degree. As the sensor cannot cover the dynamic range the eye sees. So photographers have to make decisions what is important and what to sacrifice in the way of Light & shadows. So getting it right in the camera and understanding light helps and minimizing post work.

But don't know any pro photographers that make it with just SOCC shots. And if there are they are the few not the many.
.