Is it true....

[DEX]

that what matters more about digital photography is the skills in editing/post-process.

Some discussions suggest that the skills of the photographer to create great photos matters more than his cameras/equipments. But what if the photographer is not good in editing? :think:

 

[billpepsi]

During the film era, pro photographers need to be proficient both in photography and darkroom. And that same concept is still applicable now in the digital world, ie. digital camera and digital workflow. The fundamental concept remains unchanged.

 

[LittleWolf]

During the film era, pro photographers need to be proficient both in photography and darkroom. And that same concept is still applicable now in the digital world, ie. digital camera and digital workflow. The fundamental concept remains unchanged.

For the vast majority, computers are just so more accessible than darkrooms. The big revelation of digital age is that it brings the power and control over the image back to many photographers instead of them being more or less helpless victims of what commercial labs do to their images.

 

[student]

During the film era, pro photographers need to be proficient both in photography and darkroom. And that same concept is still applicable now in the digital world, ie. digital camera and digital workflow. The fundamental concept remains unchanged.

I think you are referring to B&W photography. It was very troublesome to do color prints in darkroom. Many color photographers had their prints made by commercial labs. An example in Singapore is Tan Lip Seng, cultural medallion winner.

Even for B&W photography, Russell Wong does not do his own printing. And neither did Cartier-Bresson.

So the statement "pro photographers NEED to be proficient both in photography and darkroom" is not really accurate.

My feeling is that for film and digital photography, an intimate knowledge of "post-processing" is not absolutely necessary. But what is necessary is an understanding of the possibilities of "post-processing" (either darkroom or computer) so that the photographer and the "post-processing" expert can work together. I think this is especially iimportant for professionals. Specialists are on the whole better at their jobs than the generalist.

However, for amateurs, the situation might be different. I take pride in producing a piece of work which I can say is "All mine". In the past, because it was so difficult to do color darkroom, I had to get commercial labs to print my images. Today, I can do it on my inkjet. So I have to learn PS. In that sense, post-processing becomes essential to me with digital photography.

 

[ortega]

in order to creat stunning images in the digital darkroom (photoshop)
you need a good image in the first place

as they say "garbage in, garbage out"

 

[waiaung]

in order to creat stunning images in the digital darkroom (photoshop)
you need a good image in the first place

as they say "garbage in, garbage out"

I agree with Ortega at this point.
Some people (especially most of Anti-Photoshop People) think it is so easy to use Photoshop to make WOW images out of lousy photographs, and its NOT true.

Majority of the images we see here on Clubsnap are processed in Photoshop. And we can say not all of them can make us wow. You need a good photograph firstly, to edit in photoshop.

And afterall, its all the imagination of the photographer. If I see a pimple on the model's face, I will remove it. If I want to change the color of her dress, I will change it. As long as its something I want to do, I will. But for this, I still need a nice image.

You can take a look at http://www.deviantart.com/view/23983687/ for an example. I shoot that image with almost the same imagination in my mind. And I processed it. If someone sends me a lousy photo to do the same effects, it may not be as good as this one, or I may have to spend a lot more time on it. Sometimes before you shoot, sometimes, just after looking at the LCD screen, I make decisions how I would edit this image. And trust me, Photoshop is not easy.

 

[espn]

If you can get the shot right, still need post processing?

The majority effort lies on the person using the equipment, not the equipment.

 

[LittleWolf]

If you can get the shot right, still need post processing?

Do you develop your film after exposing it? That is also "postprocessing".

 

[espn]

Do you develop your film after exposing it? That is also "postprocessing".

I was referring to digital and the thread starter's query.

The 2nd part, that is.

 

[ortega]

that is why i do not need to shoot raw :devil:

 

[espn]

that is why i do not need to shoot raw :devil:

You are a god at photography, I'm not, I need to shoot RAW :devil:

 

[ortega]

haha our pet subject :bigeyes:
btw I am no god, there are many CSers here that are gods in their respective area of interest. Photography is just a passion to me. :angel:

actually post processing can make a snap shot into an interesting shot.

so in this digital era, a balance of camera skills and post processing skill are equally important. But as always the photographer's eye is the most important.

 

[espn]

Hahah... we better leave as is... there's going to be no end once we start again :bsmilie:

I know PP is important, but there's only so much PP can do.. the photographer is still very important, that's the point I trying to raise to the threadstarter

Once one has garnered enough skill in taking the shot, PP would aid to make the shot better further.

 

[ortega]

how about we get a so-so image and challenge everyone to pp it and see the results
should be interesting

maybe get adobe to sponsor prizes

 

[espn]

I can imagine lotsa other stuff not for the picture appearing, end up the original photo might have been layered all the way behind :bsmilie:

 

[ortega]

that would make it interesting, yes?

 

[shinken]

Can I volunteer my pic? I thought it was interesting when I took it. End up with a rather boring photo.

Only resized with PS. Nothing else. Pardon the framing. I took it with a prime and in a hurry.

Original file here - 3 megs plus

 

[Spectrum]

sweat:

 

[eikin]

Can I volunteer my pic? I thought it was interesting when I took it. End up with a rather boring photo.

Only resized with PS. Nothing else. Pardon the framing. I took it with a prime and in a hurry.

Original file here - 3 megs plus

can't access the original file leh :dunno:

i feel digital photography gives more control to the photographer as the PP part of photography becomes more accessible (in terms of hardware you just need a working PC, and then get relevant software and learn to use them)

people willing to pick up and experiment with digital PP will benefit greatly from digital photography, people who thinks it's such a chore should stick with film medium.

 

[eikin]

Can I volunteer my pic? I thought it was interesting when I took it. End up with a rather boring photo.

Only resized with PS. Nothing else. Pardon the framing. I took it with a prime and in a hurry.

Original file here - 3 megs plus

after examining the smaller picture for some time, i think i'll let the masters handle it :sweat: