ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

There is another thread titled ‘Are you a true Photographer’. I was going to post this as a reply, but as of this writing the responses fill some 27 pages. As I didn’t want this to get lost within that large response, I decided to post it separately.
I enjoy cooking and photography because both give me an outlet for creativity. Within photography, I also see a binary of snapshots and photos. My snapshots are for me. They document what I saw, and I wouldn’t inflict them on others. But I enjoy the memories. My photos also accomplish my snapshot objectives, but I’m striving for a bit more … well, quality. Something I want to show off to others.
FYI, the pictures are in a small German village, Cochen. We were on a tour to see the palace, and after seeing the town, we were taken to meet up with the van. We went up narrow steps, through the old defensive-wall gate, and down a path between two 5.5’ walls. We came to a gate on the right and inside was an assisted living facility in an old convent with a beautiful, well-tended graveyard. Upon reaching the road where a van was to take us to the palace, I wondered what was on the other side of the left wall. There was a continuation of the cemetery, again beautifully tended, and much more. And I took a nice picture there. But seeing a better shot, I went down the street about 20 ft. and took this shot. But the sky always bothered me. I knew the picture could be much more, if I were only there on a ‘better’ day.
Considering the quality of what we see on UHH, let’s keep my remarks at that level of our common goal. And like others here before me, my remarks include both film, darkroom, digital, and PP, but apply more to the latter two.
When I take a shot, my camera is preprogrammed to make several decisions regarding the image. I do not change those decisions, so I’m accepting Canon’s decisions. Does that make me not a “Photographer”? If I change those parameters, settings for the camera’s computer, am I now not a “Photographer”? If I shoot in RAW and use my PC to make those decisions in PP, am I now not a “Photographer”? If I use my PC to correct the tilt I tend to experience, am I now not a “Photographer”? If I use my PC to crop the picture, am I now not a “Photographer”?
More to your point, in the pictures here, I had an overcast day and changed my image from my snapshot category to a photograph with a correction to the tilt, slightly changing the hues, and substituting a blue-sky w/clouds for the overcast. Did this drop me from the ranks of a “Photographer”? And if so, at which step that I’ve outlined above?
Details: Nov 2019, Canon PS SX50 HS, f/4.5, 1/125, ISO 160, 10mm.

Original Picture

(Download)

Final Picture of the Reichsburg Cochem

(Download)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Not to worry, it will be lost in the gallery before long.

anotherview Loc: California

Try lifting the midtones in the second shot.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

I agree. The process of adding the sky dropped the midtones too much.
Tks for commenting.
Chuck

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

Aint it the truth.
Tks for commenting.
Chuck

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I'm always amazed at the SOOC crowd pronouncing judgement from on high for those who process their images. Nice job on the sky replacement.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

Although my piece was more strident than I intended, my point is exactly what you said. To place an arbitrary limit at SOOC is meaningless as it is impossible to take a picture, film or digital, without processing. Thank you for commenting.
Chuck

anotherview Loc: California

From what I understand of the history of photography, a photograph requires processing of it, even if nominal.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Very nice.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

Like painting, photography is art. We see with our minds eye but have to take what we are given by the scene. Changing it to meet our "minds eye" is just what painters do all the time. I would hang the second image, rate it a 4 out of 5. I would keep the first one and give a rating of 1 and keep it thinking about any future possibilites.

LESTAHL Loc: Colorado

Photography is an art. It can be used like a quick sketch (snapshot) or like a Monet. If the sky is gray and you want a blue sky, go ahead put in blue-no apology needed you are now Monet.

abbey4049 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Thought I would try to bring it life. Great shot. Just needed a little editing!

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

Thank you for commenting my brother.
Chuck 32nd

LESTAHL Loc: Colorado

Br Chuck,
I was there in 2016 and took almost the same photo. I like your version better than mine.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

You're very kind Br. I have to note, that was an easy shot to miss - so we're both to be complimented.
How's this for being late to respond? LOL
Chuck