charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

I have a dilemma. I am seeing more and more pictures that are obviously Photo shopped or something.
I am wondering how many of you just use software to restore the picture to what you saw with the naked eye and do not modify it to be something that couldn't possible exist?
Does anyone else out there have the same observations that I do?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There have been many previous discussions of this topic, and it can become as contentious as Nikon vs. Canon rather quickly, so fasten your seat belt

If you click on the link in my signature, the one titled, "It's your image, do what you like to it," you'll know my own stand.

Photographers should be free to express their artistry in whatever way they want, just as you should feel free to not enjoy the more obviously processed images. It's all personal choice.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

if you buy a fancy new car you tie a coon tail to he radio antenna.
If you get a decent photo you run it through your fancy photoshop.
It is all the same ego game charles, don't let it bother you.
Do your best and take pride in the results.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Your question seems to imply that you think the primary purpose of photography is only to recreate what the eye saw. That is something that photography is very good for, but since it was invented, some photographers have chosen to present a vision which is different than the eye sees things. I count myself among those photographers. Granted, it is easier to do that in the digital age, and many photographers do it badly, but it is still a valid way to work in photography.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I think Linda's links sum it up quite well. Though there are images that are done by some folks that turn out looking pretty bad, they may have a badly calibrated monitor, in a few cases their eyesight may be going, perhaps they just may not have a clue how to use certain PP tools and over do it, or maybe their vision of what they wanted is completely different from what we think is good or like.

The two foremost things that come to mind for me personally are: Am I simply documenting a moment or am I trying to create something very visually pleasing (eye candy) or both? The trick in either is to not make it obvious that adjustments were made, though most experienced people will know to some extent.

I'm so glad that there is so much variety in photography, that there will most always be something for all tastes.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Charles, you might also be interested in viewing sites such as 500px.com, where slick, often over-saturated and highly edited images abound.

This site advertises itself as "a place to celebrate visual creativity" and "inspire greatness." It has images for sale, and many pro photographers as members.

http://500px.com/popular

http://about.500px.com/

My point is that minimal editing of photos, unless for documentary purposes, does not appear to be currently in fashion. Maybe the trends will turn, but remember that before digital, film photographers often did extensive editing to their negatives in the darkroom to achieve a specific mood or emotion. And how about dodging/burning or using different tones of paper? If you did much of that, you were changing the "reality," right?

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

Are you intent on producing art? Or are you intent on photo journalism?

There is a big difference in how a photographer goes about achieving each.

Leitz Loc: Solms

I assume this another web survey. What others do to their pictures has no effect on what I do to mine.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

From my view point as the photographer I feel I am free to express myself through my photography by whatever means I prefer, be that minimal or extreme manipulation of the original image. I feel no obligation to limit myself to others preferences. (See quote in my signature below). Likewise, from the viewers perspective, people are free to like or dislike what I present and have no obligation to me to like what I do. If they don't care for it, I may be disappointed, but I respect their preference as it pertains to what they enjoy or don't enjoy. I do have a problem however when a viewer insists that I am wrong because I produce images that does not match their preferences.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

One more note, since I am feeling chatty today

You mention in your intro topic of June 13 that you and your wife love to travel and love to take photographs together. Embrace that and be very very thankful you have a loving spouse, health, time and income! Never mind what anyone else does and embrace the joy your own hobbies.

TheDman Loc: USA

Ah, but do you really know what you saw with the naked eye? Restoring a photo to exactly what you saw when you were standing there shooting it is often very difficult and often requires a whole lot of Photoshop.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I am a portrait photographer. If I just printed what came out of the camera, I would be out of business. Do you want to see what you REALLY look like?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

dilemma - a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.

What is you dilemma? Or did you mean a different word?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Seriously? Nine people had no problem understanding the OP's point. Or we're all wrong. Hmmm

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Photography is a bit like gardening, Some like formal layouts, some like free flowing prairie style. Some focus on a single phylum whilst others look at textures. An image can be all of these things too. It is a personal expression of what you find interesting or beautiful. Post Processing simply dresses up the image in a way that you find expresses your feelings or highlights that which most attracted you. Some like to push the boundaries. A gardener cross pollinates to create a hybrid, A photographer post processes 'what is' into 'what could be' for just the same purpose. Without going into Art and Creativity, think of Post Processing like weeding a flower bed, dead heading and even temporarily adding the odd ornament in order to create a more pleasing view.
Processing an image is the same as composing an image. If you step off the path, or remove an ugly branch then you have altered reality. Experienced photographers will see a tableau in a different manner than a non photographer. One will see trees the other will see the wood.
Have fun doing what you think is best for your own enjoyment.