should we use software to enhance the photograph

[Josh66]

I do believe unless one is going for a particular artistic result the subject should look how it does in RL.

How can a camera record what it looked like in real life? Cameras don't work like our eyes do.

unless your using film you already are.

Even with film.

You could shoot film and then, instead of having it developed just throw it away.

That would probably be the closest to no editing you could get.

...Of course, you would never get to see the pictures either.

 

[Tony S]

For me it depends on the end result you are after.

For journalistic/documentary work there should be nothing added to or taken away from the image that was not there in real life. Tweaks to color, contrast, exposure are ok. Removing items or cloning things in are not good. In this case it's all about the integrity of the photo and the story you are telling.

For artisitc use, the skies the limit. The only limitations to what you do are in your mind.

 

[cepwin]

True, the eyes and the camera are never going to see the same thing. What I mean is, in my opinion, unless one is going for an artistic result (where as Tony said the sky is the limit) the subject should not be changed in substance (ie. change facial features, etc.) but it's fine to use photoshop (or similar program) to bring out the subject, colors, etc. as that's the purpose of post.

 

[Buckster]

True, the eyes and the camera are never going to see the same thing. What I mean is, in my opinion, unless one is going for an artistic result (where as Tony said the sky is the limit) the subject should not be changed in substance (ie. change facial features, etc.) but it's fine to use photoshop (or similar program) to bring out the subject, colors, etc. as that's the purpose of post.

I'm sorry, but I guess I missed the official memo on "The Purpose of Post". Could you forward it to me please?

Would it be "wrong" to clone out a pimple?

 

[ann]

For me it depends on the end result you are after.

For journalistic/documentary work there should be nothing added to or taken away from the image that was not there in real life. Tweaks to color, contrast, exposure are ok. Removing items or cloning things in are not good. In this case it's all about the integrity of the photo and the story you are telling.

For artisitc use, the skies the limit. The only limitations to what you do are in your mind.

:thumbup: