cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I, too, dislike the overly processed images that are often posted on line. I do postprocessing on my images but control my actions to only perk the image up a bit. I agree though, that photography is an art and photographers each in his own way, an artist. Just because you would do it, or don't like it doesn't mean that an image or a photographer should be maligned. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many posting people are seeking constructive criticism and should be made without rancor or sarcasm.

bobburk3 Loc: Maryland

YES!!! Art is in the eye of the beholder and we all have our preferences. I like some art and don't like other art. That is the beauty of art.

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

It took me a long time to understand this...it’s everyone’s own story they are telling with THEIR image. I used to say “that image is too processed, etc” but then I realized I tell MY story with MY style of PP and everyone else has their own style. It’s what makes the world go ‘round! ☺️

crapshooter Loc: Fox, Alaska

Everyone has the the right to Shoot Their Own Crap and Like it :):):) Doesn't mean everyone has to though.

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

True enough BUT you don't have to respond to it either.

Opinions are like arm pits ... everybody has them and they usually stink. Except mine ... I am an absolute frikken delight!

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

You win...you made my day! Gracias.

canon Lee

Hi If someone is seeking to create a perfect image using the histogram and LR sliders, this would be an image that, in my opinion , static and uninteresting , But if someone, like myself, that wants to create some interest in an artsy way, then it is pretty much up to me to adjust the image to my liking... I do commercial photography for a living, so my images have to be exact and not artsy...However, I am an artist as well, so I take photos of things I want to paint, and re compose, add things, take things away, to get a composition to paint... It really matters what you are going to do with the images....

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

I agree to some extent. I do see way over processed images - some are fun to look at artistically but others are just plain bad but the objection is broad and rather unfair. If your shooting street, photo journalistic, event, landscape (I think limited creativity is okay for landscape depending on the feel your trying to achieve) or the like, then a photographer should stay true to the scene. However portraiture, as an example, opens up a chance to get creative and fun as in my examples below. Head shot is pretty much as shot the other is obviously not but is it bad? My clients don't think so.

(Download)


(Download)

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Is this a discussion or an argument...hmmm?

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Hmmm - even the "Shades of Gray" as you put it looks overcooked. (Page-10)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I think that's where the problem lies. Those in the "correct/enhance" camp want to end up with something that looks like a good, well-taken photo without any issues, but those in the "artistic interpretation" camp are all about experimenting with ways to add visual interest, which most of the time will result in the image being taken beyond the "well-taken photo" look. The former will typically look with disapproval at the work of the latter, while the latter see the work of the former as unimaginative and un-creative, and they will see a lot of unexplored potential.

I think there may be a third category - those who for whatever reason have yet to acquire a mature, well-developed eye for what makes a strong or engaging image, but what they do know is that they like an image with pop more than they like the SOOC look. And the PP software is good at providing them with the tools necessary to achieve what the rest of us would describe as an overcooked look. In the right hands, generous amounts of saturation, contrast and colouration can work, so it would be wrong to be dismissive of anything other than a realistic look. Unfortunately, those still at the early stages of the learning curve tend to give a bad name to adventurous processing.

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

I think Gene51's comments neatly sum it all up.