To let edit or not to let edit.

KuntaKinter · Jun 27, 2012

Okay so I am new here. I've been on other forums in the past but came across the app for my Iphone so I downloaded and joined. Nothing special. Well I've run into something I haven't run into on the other forums. A dilemma of whether or not to set my photos as OK to edit or NOT OK to edit. While I understand the concept of letting others show you what they would do or help you edit the photo. I also understand the idea of wanting to do it yourself. Letting people tell you how or what can be done and using their advice and guidance to figure it out.
So my question here is.... Why do or don't you? Is it really necessary to have someone edit it to show you how to do the edit? Why aren't you willing to let someone edit your photo to help you?
I'm just wondering. I have mine set to not edit cause that's how I have always had it set. I like to try the edit as opposed to someone else doing it to show me how. I'm not opposed to someone helping me if I have tried and failed. So that's just my question. Hoping it doesn't lead to a heated hateful debate just want to know the general feeling of those in this forum.

Thanks everyone,

Kenny

PinkDoor · Jun 27, 2012

Hi Kenny - welcome! I love to edit other's photos, and I really like it when they edit mine. When I get to edit - it allows me to show off my perspective and skills. In most of the cases where I see the non-op giving an edit, its usually a crop or a suggestion. Sometimes they like it, sometimes they don't. What I never see, is someones saying "hey, I don't know what to do, can someone edit this for me?" That's totally different.

I like it when others edit my photo because if gives me new ideas, and lets me see what others are thinking, or what they think would look better. It's too light, too dark, too blurry, too sharp, try a different crop. It's all in perspective.

That said, I think that if you post pictures for C&C and they are "NOT" okay to edit, you would get similar feedback. I don't see posters discouraged to give their opinions if they are not able to edit your photos.

Personal preference

KuntaKinter · Jun 27, 2012

Thanks PinkDoor.

KmH · Jun 27, 2012

To properly explain an edit, it is helpful to show how the edit affects the original image. No doubt, stating the steps done is very helpful, but few do so.

It seems a lot of members that have Not OK to Edit selected, are ones that would benefit a lot by changing it to OK to Edit.

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 27, 2012

We even have a member that will not let you edit her edits of other peoples image. People can be crazy like that.

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

lol, crazy.

bitter, you never answered my PM. :-( are you out of ideas or somethin?

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 27, 2012

I'm forgetful and scattered. Sorry.

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 27, 2012

For more reading on the subject:

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-ok-edit.html?highlight=Photos+not+ok+to+edit

And

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-beginners-forum/270804-my-photos-not-ok-edit.html

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

lol, just figured you were a busy man

paigew · Jun 27, 2012

I used to allow edits of my pics. Then I got really involved in editing. I spend hours researching, taking online workshops, and practicing on my photos. I edit my photos with a vision in mind for that specific photo. There have been times when people edited a photo I spent a lot of time on and I got a little annoyed feeling "I don't the way that looks at all", I like mine way better :lol:

. So I decided to change it so I wouldn't be annoyed.

snowbear · Jun 27, 2012

I have a lot to learn, so I welcome help from the experienced people here. We're posting copies - if I like an edit, I'll reproduce it and if I don't like it - no harm done.

rokvi · Jun 28, 2012

There is no pain involved.

Overread · Jun 28, 2012

It's generally a choice on how you view the photos you display on the site.

If you come to specifically get critique and feedback on your photos then there is a good chance that allowing people to edit your photos to show what they mean will help a lot in understanding the suggestions they make. Words can be very powerful, but sometimes its a lot quicker to show things in a quick edit of a photo - letting them show a more complex process in a clear visual message.

If you come more to display your work and you consider it more or less complete or at least in line with the vision you want, then chances are you'll not be hunting after critique as much and maybe also not as keen to hear other peoples vision concepts with your work. It can also be an experience thing - sometimes the more you shoot the more you can easily understand shorter critique (ie you don't need all the little bits explained or the concept more easily shown visually).

In the end its really a users choice, also remember you can trump it at any time and specifically say in a thread that you would welcome edits even if you're profile is set to "no edits allowed" (however if you do this a lot it would be sensible to set it to edits allowed).

Forkie · Jun 28, 2012

I only have it as "Not OK to Edit" because I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going for when I start editing. It's only because I'm picky and I just know that if someone else has a go, I'll just be thinking to myself "No, that's not how I envisioned it at all. What were you thinking!".

Now and again I'll let people to have a go. I just don't want people thinking they can just go ahead and do it.

FireDiva · Jun 28, 2012

I have "Not Ok to Edit" because it's my work and why would I permit someone to touch it? Operative term is that "it's my work", I"ll decide what needs to be done to it. At this time I prefer not to rely on editing to improve my shots, would rather honing my skills instead, my choice, what someone else chooses to do is not my concern.