E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

OK! I'll play! I have nothing against technology, I use it all the time.

For many years I ran a full service commercial/industrial/portrait studio with 3 fully equipped black and white darkrooms and a complete color laboratory. I had 6 employees in the production department where we produced hundreds of prints, transparency and photo- murals each week. I spent may hours there doing custom printing and supervising production. The major part of my time there was NOT devoted to remedial procedures to correct bad photography.

I am not arguing against automation or advanced technology. I just advocate for good camera technique, lighting control and attention to composition to facilitate quality and expedient production. Nowhere did I advise anyone to shoot everything in manual, shut down their computers and go back to the bad old days. I am not reactionary!

As for focusing aids and other features, I am all for them when folks need them.

I think you have taken my remarks completely out of context. I always encourage people to enjoy their photography in any way and with any methodology as the see fit. Some folks agree with my approaches and some don't. I can share what I do and leave everyone else to their own devices. Of course, you and everyone else should familiarize others with your best approaches- I, for one am always open to new ideas. Share!

JP Pixburgh Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

The same way plain women come out to the dance looking like a goddesses. They got "done up" with make-up. Your pictures get "done up" with Photoshop.

TheDman Loc: USA

That's still how it is. Nothing has changed.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

I continue to get wonderful recommendations and suggestions. I sincerely appreciate everyone's efforts to answer my many questions. Several have asked me to post examples. I have not yet because my underlying question really was about many of the photos from other photographers that seemed to me to be "too real." I certainly don't want to appear to criticize other's work especially when I am impressed with the results. My pictures generally do look like the scenes I am shooting. I see so many scenic photos that are incredibly distinct or defined in a way I have not seen in real life but they display extremely well and, I guess, improve on reality in a way that is often attractive. So many of the excellent responses regard PhotoShop or other processing procedures that I am not facile with. I hope to be sometime but it is a slow process for an old guy. I do use LR and PS but have just recently shifted from Capture NX-1 which was no longer being supported. Again, thank you to all who have offered to help.
Scotty

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Can you point to one of those photos? You can just copy the link to the thread.

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

I will try to find a few that represent my comments. We depart very early Tuesday morning for a paddle wheel steamer trip down the Mississippi so I may not be able to post it in time. Thank you for your interest.
Scotty

tdekany Loc: Oregon