JayJay50 Loc: Colorado

Hello everyone,
I get really confused about what is considered "good" photography these days. I am told it's not the equipment so is it how good you can photo shop your pictures? I think I good photographer is when you can take a good picture from the start. If I don't Photoshop my pictures then does that make me an inferior photographer? If I take a picture and I say to myself, "Wow, that is so pretty" is it really a good photo? How do I know if it should be "adjusted" or not? I see photos done by "professionals" in the photo magazine and they are so overblown in colors they look in my opinion terrible, not appealing. So, how does one determine what is really good photography these days? Tell me what you think about this photo

Path in The Woods

jsharp Loc: Ballwin MO.

Looks good to me.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

I like it. Really, your photos have to be pleasing to you and whoever else you wish to be pleased by them. Everyone's view of what a "good" shot is, varies infinitely, pro (or not, or faking).

My personal view is that the real art is in the composition.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I also think it looks good Jay.

jsharp Loc: Ballwin MO.

If I had the room I would be proud to hang it on my wall. It's sad I don't even have any of my own photos displayed except for head shots of my dogs on Our Dog Wall.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

A good photographer can get good shots in camera. Or take a so so shot and make it good in PP. A great photographer can take that good shot and make it better. A really great photographer knows when to use and when to cut off the PP. Of course the "Artists!!!" will do all kinds of things and call it art. What an individual thinks of it is purely personal taste. Of course the "Artist" will say you are an uncultured whatever if you don't think what s/he did is the greatest thing since time began.

The overdone colors etc are the current fashion in some publishing circles and partly done that way to grab attention in print.

This shot, I like it but think it might be better if everything weren't so centered. I might be tempted to frame it so as to drop the top down to eliminate the sky and show more of the "path" leading on into the forest. I also suspect that there is more curve to the road that might help off set the centeredness. If the picture is recent and the location easy to get to you might also drop the camera down lower to shoot more on the level of the ground.

But I like it as is. It is a good shot that also has other good shots in it or from the same location.

Remember, Adams was great at making an image into his vision of the subject. Most of his "zone system" shots were aimed at being improved in processing and some of his greatest prints came from so-so or even fairly poor negatives. But those negatives were not meant to be straight prints. And he and his assistants did that with film and a darkroom. What could they have done with today's tech?

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

I agree that much of the photography showcased nowadays is just as much about someone's skill in post-processing (LR, PS, Topaz, Corel Painter, etc) as it is about them knowing HOW to use their camera to get a good exposure. I personally enjoy photographs that look REAL and not "over manipulated" because it shows that the photographer really understands light, shadows, composition, etc. But that is only my humble opinion...and to be honest I still enjoy my IR photography... :-). Regarding the shot above, I love the composition.

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

Don't get confused. Let everybody else do whatever they believe in. Do what you like to do with your pictures and what satisfy you. Simple as that. There is no other philosophy. I like the picture which you posted. Somebody else would turn it into a black and white, or over sharpen, or whatever. Try not to negatively critique posted pictures. They don't take it here very lightly. Keep it to yourself.

frankie c Loc: Lake Havasu CIty, AZ

If you like it, It's good. A good photo is you getting the desired effect. If it is right out of the camera It's good if you need to make adjustments to capture what your minds eye saw, It's good. There is always someone who will tell you how to improve your picture. That would kinda make it their picture. It's your art so it's your call. I like your picture. Would I have done it differently.. maybe but that would be my art and my picture. :thumbup:

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

:thumbup: :thumbup:

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

I think it has to come down to your own judgment and what you feel is the vision that you want to create. Others will have their own viewpoint.

Good equipment helps, like any good tool, but equipment is not the vision of the end result. Post processing can make a good image outstanding or an excellent capture overblown and irritating. Only you can make that call.

What do you want this image to look like? Realistic? Tranquil? Dramatic?
You are the artist here, and it is your vision. As a quick and dirty example, I took a couple of liberties and made a few adjustments. I don't suggest that this is better, worse, or otherwise, just slightly different. Only you can choose. Have you played with some different interpretations?

If you are confused, perhaps it is just about what you envision in your mind, and then how to make that appear on the screen or in print. I see nothing substantially wrong with your original.

Why did you ask your original question?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I think your image is very appealing. The symmetry of the centered path is one thing I like as it makes me feel totally enclosed by the woods. I could envision a few variations in pp that would change the mood (e.g. softer and lighter for dreamy or fanciful) - it just depends on what you feel about it, or want to present.

Here is a topic in one of the specialty forums you might enjoy, regarding pp:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-344000-1.html

I personally favor composition, creativity and mood over "tack sharp" and perfect exposure. But as you've read already, there are lots and lots of opinions.

As suggested, the most satisfying and joyful part of photography is to do what makes you happy. If someone else likes it too, that's dessert :)

An interesting essay:

http://digital-photography-school.com/its-your-image-do-what-you-like-to-it/

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

You are the authority on the topic of what you want your images to look like.

Mike

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Only as a viewer and not any kind of expert, I can share my opinion based on my simple observation concerning this particular image

I like this image, it's pleasing. However, a very small change could completely transform it in to something even more aesthetically pleasing (in my opinion) by doing a little something with the bright white bit of sky in the top center. Perhaps adjusting it to blue or some type of clouds. Sometimes, the smallest adjustments can have the biggest impact.

I try to make minimal adjustments to my macro images to keep them true to life but, there are times or situations where adding, removing, or adjusting can make a so-so image good or a good one better, maybe even very good, I don't think I have managed great up to this point (I still consider myself a total newbie).

What's right or wrong in completely subjective and each of us are different. I am always trying to improve my end result and proper, modest adjustments have been my norm. Then again, I also do not want to limit my creativity by not knowing how, when and where to apply any PP work of any kind to render/convey my vision of an image.

I see shots that are very technically correct, that do absolutely nothing for me but, get ooz and ahz from the more experienced people.

While it's nice when someone else likes your work, it important to please yourself. I might also suggest experimenting with an open mind. It's very possible you may find something love, that your were previously closed to.

This is merely my view based on my experience :wink: Pursue what pleases you :-)

EDIT: I must type extremely slow because, there have been NINE posts since I started typing my reply :shock:

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Don't you hate when that happens :)