SOOC vs Process vs Edit vs Manipulate
Nov 19, 2019 03:19:22 #
A lot had been discussed about how the final image should be shown and I personally put them into these four categories.
SOOC (straight out of camera):
- is an output that can either be a RAW, JPEG or combination of both. RAW vs JPG are hotly debated but we wont go there. My own personal experience taught me that they both have their use and preferring one over the other is really limiting the cameras capability.
- In the real world application, I believe that SOOC output are better suited as PROOF files. This are "Base" files suited as starting points for editing or the full opposite of never to be touched and be representative of reality for News, journalism, family & journey snap shots.
Processed:
- From the older times of film, Processing is mainly developing, adjusting saturation, exposure, cropping then printing. We will therefore use this as the basis of our present meaning and usage.
- Sharpening, converting images from color to monochrome, selective color, black & white.
- Use of RAW reader/converter & similar softwares such as Lightroom is mainly processing and possibly Soft Editing.
- In processing, the aim is just to show a good/best representation of the SOOC file.
Edited:
- A step beyond processing, editing introduces changes to image elements of the SOOC file.
- Editing can be further divided to Soft and Hard edit.
- Changes in relationships between elements such as using lens correction, stretching, perspective & horizon adjustments can be attributed as Soft edit.
- Removal of pimples, strings, power lines, and other light improvements are still regarded as soft edit.
- Hard edit consist of individually adjusting elements partly or whole within the image such as; removing scars, creating background or artistic blur, using liquefy to make eyes bigger, smaller tummy etc.
- Removing elements via cloning other parts of the image and adding decorative elements such as borders, text/signature and the like.
- Editing has a broad coverage but generally it is meant to visually improve the hero element by adjusting it and/or the elements supporting the hero. Editing is best for portraits & product shoots.
Manipulated;
- There is a broad grey line between Hard Edit and Manipulating an image so we judge where an image belong by the percentage of treatment. As one becomes more proficient, the dividing line between the two becomes clearer.
- Generally speaking, manipulate is when we add none native elements into the photo which (adversely) alters its truth. This also include radically changing the elements within the image itself by moving, coloring, texturing and so on.
- Manipulation is when the realities of the photo takes less importance and gives way to creative juices and imagination, hence manipulation is most seen on Advertising and Creative endeavors.
In conclusion, I desire to share these hopefully to help improve capacity to understand, show or purpose an image seen or created. As an example, I conclude by the above that it is too judgmental and limiting to believe that only SOOC images matter as we can see that every output has a purpose to which they are suited for and excel at. Likewise that it would be an abomination to present an edited or more so, a manipulated image as news.
Finally, i must clarify that the above is not canon nor generally accepted. These are my point of view based on my own experience in the field.
SOOC (straight out of camera):
- is an output that can either be a RAW, JPEG or combination of both. RAW vs JPG are hotly debated but we wont go there. My own personal experience taught me that they both have their use and preferring one over the other is really limiting the cameras capability.
- In the real world application, I believe that SOOC output are better suited as PROOF files. This are "Base" files suited as starting points for editing or the full opposite of never to be touched and be representative of reality for News, journalism, family & journey snap shots.
Processed:
- From the older times of film, Processing is mainly developing, adjusting saturation, exposure, cropping then printing. We will therefore use this as the basis of our present meaning and usage.
- Sharpening, converting images from color to monochrome, selective color, black & white.
- Use of RAW reader/converter & similar softwares such as Lightroom is mainly processing and possibly Soft Editing.
- In processing, the aim is just to show a good/best representation of the SOOC file.
Edited:
- A step beyond processing, editing introduces changes to image elements of the SOOC file.
- Editing can be further divided to Soft and Hard edit.
- Changes in relationships between elements such as using lens correction, stretching, perspective & horizon adjustments can be attributed as Soft edit.
- Removal of pimples, strings, power lines, and other light improvements are still regarded as soft edit.
- Hard edit consist of individually adjusting elements partly or whole within the image such as; removing scars, creating background or artistic blur, using liquefy to make eyes bigger, smaller tummy etc.
- Removing elements via cloning other parts of the image and adding decorative elements such as borders, text/signature and the like.
- Editing has a broad coverage but generally it is meant to visually improve the hero element by adjusting it and/or the elements supporting the hero. Editing is best for portraits & product shoots.
Manipulated;
- There is a broad grey line between Hard Edit and Manipulating an image so we judge where an image belong by the percentage of treatment. As one becomes more proficient, the dividing line between the two becomes clearer.
- Generally speaking, manipulate is when we add none native elements into the photo which (adversely) alters its truth. This also include radically changing the elements within the image itself by moving, coloring, texturing and so on.
- Manipulation is when the realities of the photo takes less importance and gives way to creative juices and imagination, hence manipulation is most seen on Advertising and Creative endeavors.
In conclusion, I desire to share these hopefully to help improve capacity to understand, show or purpose an image seen or created. As an example, I conclude by the above that it is too judgmental and limiting to believe that only SOOC images matter as we can see that every output has a purpose to which they are suited for and excel at. Likewise that it would be an abomination to present an edited or more so, a manipulated image as news.
Finally, i must clarify that the above is not canon nor generally accepted. These are my point of view based on my own experience in the field.
Nov 19, 2019 05:29:07 #
Sample SOOC, Processed, Edited & Manipulated image.
Last image is how the SOOC picture was taken.
Nikon D90 18-105 lens & Huawei celphone used as spot light.
The candle was a stock image from the internet -no infringement inferred.
.
Last image is how the SOOC picture was taken.
Nikon D90 18-105 lens & Huawei celphone used as spot light.
The candle was a stock image from the internet -no infringement inferred.
.
Nov 19, 2019 05:55:52 #
Oooops, Wallen, all were manipulated because you altered the light spectra from normal...
Worthwhile discussion and excellent work with the Halloween skull ... Indeed Halloween is my favorite Holliday and should be a national Holliday with everyone having a day off to parade in costume.
Worthwhile discussion and excellent work with the Halloween skull ... Indeed Halloween is my favorite Holliday and should be a national Holliday with everyone having a day off to parade in costume.
Nov 19, 2019 05:56:02 #
Thanks for sharing. I appreciated both your defining the terms and your examples. Mostly my social media images are SOOC. Occasionally I'll do light editing, hard editing and rarely I'll do manipulation.
Nov 19, 2019 06:20:23 #
I like your descriptions. It would be helpful for everyone submitting images to UHH to show SOOC images along side finished photographs. Not in an effort to call out “fakes” but more to help educate others in technique.
Nov 19, 2019 06:22:04 #
dpullum wrote:
Oooops, Wallen, all were manipulated because you altered the light spectra from normal...
Worthwhile discussion and excellent work with the Halloween skull ... Indeed Halloween is my favorite Holliday and should be a national Holliday with everyone having a day off to parade in costume.
Worthwhile discussion and excellent work with the Halloween skull ... Indeed Halloween is my favorite Holliday and should be a national Holliday with everyone having a day off to parade in costume.
I agree with the part that Halloween should be a national holiday.
Nov 19, 2019 06:29:33 #
Nov 19, 2019 06:44:38 #
There are no rules for good photographs, great photographs have just one: the photoshop work is exquisite.
Nov 19, 2019 07:05:26 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
There are no rules for good photographs, great photographs have just one: the photoshop work is exquisite.
Agree
Nov 19, 2019 07:15:37 #
Nov 19, 2019 07:36:40 #
Tomfl101 wrote:
I like your descriptions. It would be helpful for everyone submitting images to UHH to show SOOC images along side finished photographs. Not in an effort to call out “fakes” but more to help educate others in technique.
Even without going to this extent I think it would be nice to have basic EXIF data mentioned along with submitted photo. Without getting into the weeds I think folks would be interested in Camera, lens, basic settings etc... used in the capture. I belong to one Canon forum on the net where data is REQUIRED and photo is deleted if not provided. Just an opinion...
Nov 19, 2019 12:59:02 #
I believe that the UHH was created to share photographs and ideas without all the BS.
Having said that I really enjoyed the categories and examples provided. Thank you for sharing...
Bob
Having said that I really enjoyed the categories and examples provided. Thank you for sharing...
Bob
Nov 19, 2019 13:02:45 #
MrBob wrote:
Even without going to this extent I think it would be nice to have basic EXIF data mentioned along with submitted photo. Without getting into the weeds I think folks would be interested in Camera, lens, basic settings etc... used in the capture. I belong to one Canon forum on the net where data is REQUIRED and photo is deleted if not provided. Just an opinion...
Not all folks.....
Nov 19, 2019 14:11:49 #
Tomfl101 wrote:
There are a few specialty sections of UHH (volunteer-moderated) where this is encouraged and/or more appropriate than Photo Gallery. Check the "all sections" link at bottom of any UHH page to discover all the hidden treasures It would be helpful for everyone submitting images to UHH to show SOOC images along side finished photographs. Not in an effort to call out “fakes” but more to help educate others in technique.
Nov 19, 2019 14:16:02 #
blue-ultra wrote:
One person's BS is another's Must-Read List. I am curious how you define and differentiate "ideas" and "BS."I believe that the UHH was created to share photographs and ideas without all the BS.
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