SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

If you think about it, we’re often manipulating the image before we even snap the shutter. We change perspective by the choice of a lens, we determine where the camera should focus, we choose an aperture that may affect depth of field, we choose a shutter speed that may affect how an image is captured, we choose where and how to meter the scene to give us the highlights and shadow detail we want. It’s all manipulation.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I think what he means is that the image on the left looks more natural. Most people would process to remove a yellow cast, not add it. That right image looks jaundiced.

RichKenn Loc: Merritt Island, FL

RAW images straight out of the camera do NOT duplicate what the eye sees. Some post processing is necessary to get to that state. If you shoot JPEG, the camera does a pretty good job of post processing internally but, of course, it may not duplicate what you see. Or, what you remember what you saw. Some form of post processing is always necessary to obtain the desired output.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

I agree to a point BUT a camera cannot, no matter what you do in settings, mimic what your eye sees. Your eyes dynamic range can differentiate highlights and shadows much better than your cameras sensor can. What you see in the shadows may be completely black or highlights be completely blown out when you photograph it in a high contrast situation.

Balboa Loc: NJ

If you shoot indoors photography is much different than shooting outdoors. If you shoot out doors I'm with you. I like realism and detail. I am at the mercy of the sun, clouds and whatever else nature throws at me when I go out with my camera. By my experience if you are a nature shooter It's actually rare that the nuances of the image do not need adjustment. I do it for fun personal enjoyment, and satisfaction so I do not shoot a particular way for someone else. I do dot accept unsolicited criticism or advice again because I do it for me.
For example I can't stand nature photos that people convert to black and white....drives me crazy and I have even locked people out that habitually do this on line. That doesn't mean that I think they shouldn't do it not at all. If that is how they enjoy their photography that's great for them. The point is make sure you do it the way you enjoy it and if others enjoy along with you that's icing on the cake.
Also remember that now a days we're not really taking pictures but creating a DATA FILE. Now a days cameras are computers disguised as a cameras. So instead of taking a picture it's collecting environmental data that when manipulated electronically produces an image. A real picture you can hold in your hand in contrast a camera or computer are displaying an image.
So if you haven't calibrated the color scheme on your computer chance are your image will be a variation of what you remember seeing. If I may point out a mistake tat I frequently see on line is that when adjusting colors, shadows, sharpness etc. KNOW WHEN to Stop adjusting.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

How can you say that since you weren't there. how the hand will look will depend very much on the lighting.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

You did set the camera to auto white balance AND the camera did an excellent job of correcting the image.

bwa

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

The camera was set to auto white balance and it did its job very nicely.

bwa

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

That assumes that the original "fact" as you refer to it, coming out of the camera, is actually true to what was seen. Most of the time is not true at all, and very very often it is extremely far from representing exactly what was seen. Sadly, a huge number of people here don't seem to be able to tell the difference between what their eyes see and what their SOOC photographs record. They also don't understand that the photographer can never accurately reproduce reality, but meerly interpret reality in a pleasing way. For them straight out of the camera jpegs are apparently good enough, and that's fine. We each have our own personal standards of what is good and what is not. Far be it for me to impose my standards on others.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Like many others have already said. You have to process to get a picture to look like what the eye sees. In my case I had to process to get the pic to look like 72 year old skin under an incandescent colored light.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Only if you think the camera's job was to produce a pink skin tone that did not actually exist in any light.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The stuff that looks good is usually the result of skillful and measured post processing. However, there are some excellent interpretations that are artistically on a whole other level, they are that good. Aurora and night shots are usually heavily post processed - otherwise they can look pretty bland.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

It’s like men that say “I prefer women with no makeup” when actually most of those women they find beautiful are actually wearing makeup. They just apply it subtly and tastefully to enhance their natural looks. The makeup they don’t like is when women go full on HDR with it. 😜🤪

Jimyo65 Loc: Orig: Elmore,AL. Current: San Antonio, TX

Do what pleases you. You’ll never share everyone’s view of what you see or how you interpret what’s a “perfect” make of a photo. As long as you like they way it looks, that’s all that matters! Conversely, consider and maybe act on (pick and choose) the suggestions, critiques and experiences of others to improve your photography skills. I use several post editing apps to enhance my photos to suit ME, especially sunrises and sunsets. I am an amateur and use an iPhone 7 Plus and although it takes great photos, I sometimes feel the need to enhance the brilliance of sunrises or sunsets, flowers, etc. That’s the beauty of digital photography, whether with a DSLR or iPhone or Android—you shoot what you see at the moment, exit to your taste, but then can later review, evaluate/edit/enhance as you see fit. Here’s a massive cloud I took today, lit up by the setting sun and an edited pic using the Edit features on the iPhone app to enhance the color as I see fit. Tomorrow, I will relook and probably edit it again, maybe using Snapseed or PS app as I see fit. Enjoy this great hobby to see the beauty in everything and use the “what if I” or “I wonder what it would look like if I did” to think outside the box and achieve satisfaction for YOU foremost! Happy Snapping!

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