to shop or not to shop

[nimblybimbly85]

I totally understand, and which is why photography is an art.


I suppose it really depends on how you want to portray the image. Sometimes i feel as though i should only be capturing and showing what the naked eye sees; and i feel guilty if i deviate from that.

[neuroanatomist]

Sometimes i feel as though i should only be capturing and showing what the naked eye sees

Forget about that. You can't ever do that. First off, the human eye has a much wider dynamic range than film or digital. Second, the mind behind those eyes has the ability to selectively pay attention to certain features of the visual field. Third, the eye sees in three dimensions, and the photographic medium (hologram excepted) is two-dimensional. Finally, anytime you use a focal length other than ~45-50mm (FF equivalent), you're capturing a different field/angle of view than the human visual system.


IMO, the point of photography, especially artistic photography, is to portray an image in a way that the human eye cannot.

[Jon Ruyle]

Sometimes i feel as though i should only be capturing and showing what the naked eye sees

Forget about that. You can't ever do that.

Exactly. I mean, do you feel guilty if you use a large aperture to blur the background?

[nimblybimbly85]

how about photojournalism? how much pp or photo shoppping are they allowed by editors?

[neuroanatomist]

how about photojournalism? how much pp or photo shoppping are they allowed by editors?

Go to the supermarket and pick up a tabloid. Check out the pictures of alien babies and judge for yourself. [:P]


Seriously, why does it matter? If you are a photojournalist, ask your editor. If you plan to become one, it's a relevant question. Else, do what you want - that's what matters.


I would guess that photojournalists (real ones) can do a significant amount of PP to adjust exposure, crop, add visual impact, etc., as long as they aren't altering the content/context of the shot in such a way as to be misleading.

[Dallasphotog]

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If you are a photojournalist, ask your editor.

This is a valid point. I do a lot of sports work work the local newspaper and our photo editor does not want much more than cropping done to the photos. I set a picture style in the camera that gives me a little extra saturation and then I pretty muchleave the images alone.


If I'm shooting for parents, I'll do anything necessary to make their athlete look good (including adding the ball, the gaol line, etc.).


I think the customer to some extent dictates the amount of PS that is appropriate.