Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Always been taught to get the image in the camera right. That hasn’t changed but what has is those images that I just couldn’t get right I might be able to in PP plus there are lots more methods for creativity than what we had in film. I used to think have a multiple image in my film cameras was cool. And if we are old school (not old farts)it seems like the new breed of photographers just shoot a ton of pictures then post them after pp them to death. A good example was all those horrible HDR over blown images we saw for a while. Couldn’t do that in camera with film but the idea certainly is great in landscape if done in moderation. I think your comment about art versus photography is right one. I can admire or distain both. It all depends on the image and my interpretation.

bylinecl

Well put and very sage advice.
As an author/journalist, who uses a camera only incidentally and is new to digital, let me offer an additional analogy.
Most writers work in sequential "drafts." We start with an idea or concept of what we want to say, and put it on paper, or screen. Next, we go into the "editorial darkroom" and begin the process of editing, re-writing, evaluating and refining our text until the images we want to convey in language are sharp, clear and euphonic.
Yes, sometimes "first thought is best thought" and yes, on occasion we get it spot-on right at the first tap of our fingers to the keys. Just as sometimes a photographer captures the scene/image-in-question perfectly with the first snap of the shutter, and the resulting exposure requiring little more than developing and printing.
But the ordinary experience is that the sequence of editing, rewriting and refining, equates roughly to the processes of producing a print in photography, either traditional or digital.
In the event you can buy or from the library get access to the massive Thames & Hudson "Magnum Contact Sheets" book take a look at how some of the 20th and early 21st century's great photojournalists worked and selected. Of course, most of this book reflects the use of film, and only in the last pages are the images digital, however, the validity of process remains.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Shooting in raw requires pp work, just as shooting with film requires developing it. How far one wants to go beyond that is entirely up to each individual. It sure is a heck of a lot easier today to put some artistic touches to ones photograph in pp, compared to what it has been in the past. That does not at all put the old teaching to question, to get as much as possible right in camera in the first place, it just adds more ease to the process of taking things to another level, and is in MHO very welcome!

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

lol I know, I just like to throw in a little comic relief to break the intensity one in a while.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Or it had something to do with understanding, artistic vision, ability and discipline rather than blind luck.

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

Good one! I agree.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

There is an old joke about a guy that knew he had a GAS problem, but they were silent and didn't smell. He went to the doctor who gave him some pills and told him to come back in a week. The guy turned up at the doctor's office absolutely furious, saying: "These pills were terrible, I'm still farting the same amount, but now they're really loud!"

So the doctor responded: "Excellent. Now we've done something about your hearing, let's see what we can do about your sense of smell!"

Kuzano

You reminded me of the old saying about arrogant people (not you of course)......

"You know Bob... He thinks his S__t doesn't stink. Unfortunately, his farts give him away!"

Kuzano

And that process is a lie. I also doubt seriously that the time between what our eyes saw and what we think we saw when we are post processing can hardly render a correct image (what the eyes saw at capture).

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Well, we've all got a photographic memory.
Some of us have better film than others.

seniormomentnw Loc: Seattle

Wow, this drew a bunch of responses!
I think most photographers see their work as art, and art can be made many, many ways. I have always been more of an in-the-camera guy, but I can see the art in post processing, so I am starting to learn Lightroom and Photoshop. Why be so dogmatic? There is plenty of room for everyone's art here.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Actually that process is a path through which the artist seeks to express and communicate the truth.

wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

I was with you until the last sentence, which diminished your credibility and impact. To be constructive, I offer the alternatives "curmudgeon" of "misogynist".

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Art is supposed to stimulate conversation.

pnuemonalultramicro

Here's another viewpoint on digital. This 84 year old became interested in photography BECAUSE of the move to digital. I owned a 35mm back in the 60's but could not get caught up in all the apertures, f-stops, etc. and stuck with the simple Kodaks.

However, with digital I can get a massive improvement in results by having a decent bridge camera (Fujifilm HS-50-EXR) and "leave the driving to them). I realize I speak as a heretic by not wanting to learn all these fine and wonderful things but really guys the desire is just not there.

So let's hear it for the "old farts" who are content to live with good quality snapshots and leave the art of photography to those like my friend who does a fantastic job shooting many subjects/scenes per day utilizing his knowledge and talent for picking the right subject while using the right equipment in the right manner. Y'all are great photographers and I appreciate the effort to achieve great results with great equipment but as many of you may not want to learn all there is to know about prizefighting, pro wrestling, hunting, fishing, etc. there are some of us who just want to learn enough to get by. Thanx, folks!

ps: There may be questions as to why I am even on this forum. Well, I feel a need to learn a bit more than just how to look through the viewfinder and press a button so I came to the experts. I have learned a lot by just reading your comments and believe I can still learn a lot more.