Post by Saknika on Sept 27, 2009 0:06:56 GMT -5
It's a big question among photographers, so let's hear some well-thought, non-flaming opinions on this one!
How do you use Photoshop for your photos, if at all. And how do you feel about Photoshop being used in photography?
Personally, I use Photoshop to do anything from minor retouches to complete photomanipulation. However, I have an odd line that I draw the line for when it's just a kind of retouch, to when it's photomanipulation.
If I am not drastically editing the photo to give it character and an entirely new look, mostly to the subject, then for me it's just retouching. For example, dropping in a simple background, or colour to a white background, is just advanced retouching to me. When I start using brushes, moving around the composition of objects in the photo, and making the photographic objects become graphic design tools on the other hand, I consider it photomanipulation.
I don't like the fact that many kids out there who have a point-and-shoot, a mirror, and Photoshop think that they are professionals at photography. The ones I mean are the kids who do a blurry self portrait in the mirror, or at a MySpace Angle (you all know what I mean, I'm sure), and then digitally touch the hell out of it until they have no pores, white skin, too-vibrant of hair and eyes, and everything looks like a mess; but they call it professional because they did it in Photoshop, and most of their friends can't do it.
Granted, most aren't that bad, but it gives you an idea of who I mean. People who refuse to learn the basics and expect the computer to bail them out. Because no matter what, a really bad photo that doesn't follow the basics of photography will always be a bad photo, possibly plus some gaudy retouching.
How do you use Photoshop for your photos, if at all. And how do you feel about Photoshop being used in photography?
Personally, I use Photoshop to do anything from minor retouches to complete photomanipulation. However, I have an odd line that I draw the line for when it's just a kind of retouch, to when it's photomanipulation.
If I am not drastically editing the photo to give it character and an entirely new look, mostly to the subject, then for me it's just retouching. For example, dropping in a simple background, or colour to a white background, is just advanced retouching to me. When I start using brushes, moving around the composition of objects in the photo, and making the photographic objects become graphic design tools on the other hand, I consider it photomanipulation.
I don't like the fact that many kids out there who have a point-and-shoot, a mirror, and Photoshop think that they are professionals at photography. The ones I mean are the kids who do a blurry self portrait in the mirror, or at a MySpace Angle (you all know what I mean, I'm sure), and then digitally touch the hell out of it until they have no pores, white skin, too-vibrant of hair and eyes, and everything looks like a mess; but they call it professional because they did it in Photoshop, and most of their friends can't do it.
Granted, most aren't that bad, but it gives you an idea of who I mean. People who refuse to learn the basics and expect the computer to bail them out. Because no matter what, a really bad photo that doesn't follow the basics of photography will always be a bad photo, possibly plus some gaudy retouching.
