Truth Be Told: Its not the gear or the photographer, although each plays an important role, as do other factors. These are concepts left over from the film era. In today's digital era...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Its not the gear or the photographer, although each plays an important role, as do other factors. These are concepts left over from the film era.

In today's digital era of advanced software its the post processing that plays the most important role. Skillful use of modern editors can make up for and improve just about any photographic characteristic of the digital image, including composition.

Put the aside the technical data and charts for they are irrelevant and view the industry insider opinions with a jaundiced eye. Ultimately if you want to raise the level of your photography invest the time in learning a good photo editor.

To validate my point, go to at any quality photo site and look at the very best images. They did not come straight out of the camera.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

joer wrote:

Its not the gear or the photographer, although eac... (show quote)

Especially your last line.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

joer wrote:

Its not the gear or the photographer, although eac... (show quote)

I am a big fan of post processing, and have improved many photos with it. But you can rarely make a good photo out of a lousy one. Errors in exposure can be improved, but if you blow your highlights you can't get them back. Missed focus or inadequate DOF can't be fixed. If you are shooting action and you miss the peak action, that can't be fixed. If you are shooting people, lousy expressions can't be fixed. I'm not sure how you can improve composition except by cropping, and that won't always help. I think the best use of post processing isn't correcting errors from sloppy technique, it's taking images that are the best they can be out of the camera, and making them even better.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

JohnSwanda wrote:

I am a big fan of post processing, and have improv... (show quote)

I never once mentioned sloppy technique.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

joer wrote:

Its not the gear or the photographer, although eac... (show quote)

Ha ha ha you’re funny. Yes of course editing and retouching are important. News flash. That has always been the case. It is no different with “todays digital era”. In todays fast pace digital world the old saying still applies “Garbage in garbage out”. Time is money and getting it right in the camera saves both. To a pro saving money and time, is paramount to survival. For hobbysists, It really doesn’t matter. So I guess by your statement you would be a hobbyist? ;). Food for thought.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

JD750 wrote:

Ha ha ha you’re funny. Yes of course editing and retouching are important. News flash. That has always been the case. It is no different with “todays digital era”. In todays fast pace digital world the old saying still applies “Garbage in garbage out”. Time is money and getting it right in the camera saves both. To a pro saving money and time, is paramount to survival. For hobbysists, It really doesn’t matter. So I guess by your statement you would be a hobbyist? ;). Food for thought.

Yes I am. Would you like to compare images, if you have the gusts.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

joer wrote:

Yes I am. Would you like to compare images, if you have the gusts.

I am also an amateur. Click on my handle and then go to my SmugMug Site.

PM me your link.

Chaostrain Loc: Hillsboro, Oregon

joer wrote:

To validate my point, go to at any quality photo site and look at the very best images. They did not come straight out of the camera.

Yep. And one can usually tell they came from a picture maker. They don't look real.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

joer wrote:

Its not the gear or the photographer, although eac... (show quote)

To me at least, the end product is the only thing that matters.

If you think that post processing is the most important part of photography, you need some education. No amount of PP is going to fix a snapshot.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

tdekany wrote:

To me at least, the end product is the only thing that matters.

If you think that post processing is the most important part of photography, you need some education. No amount of PP is going to fix a snapshot.

Yep.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

JD750 wrote:

I am also an amateur. Click on my handle and then go to my SmugMug Site.

PM me your link.

Tell me your images are not processed.

https://500px.com/joer472802

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

tdekany wrote:

To me at least, the end product is the only thing that matters.

If you think that post processing is the most important part of photography, you need some education. No amount of PP is going to fix a snapshot.

Actually I disagree. An expert retoucher may very well turn an average image to a spectacular one. Education is a good thing and perhaps you should do likewise.

Show us you images.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Chaostrain wrote:

Yep. And one can usually tell they came from a picture maker. They don't look real.

If you want reality...look out you window.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Post processing has always been a part of photography. I don't believe that Life magazine used photos as developed at the drug store. PP is just one element to making a finished product.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Excellent advice.