Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Are you sure that happens? I have never seen it, but of course I could be missing it. Do you have an example of the sort of thing people say that you object to?

Mike

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

That is the opposite of what Kathy is saying. She says she is belittled for not "photoshopping" images.

Mike

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Oops! Right, right.

I edited it.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

And I just realized what your point is Now I need to change my reply to Photographer Jim.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

We just care about the results.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Yeah, I get that. Two sides of the same syndrome. I was replying more to Linda’s query as to whether the argument takes place outside of UHH.

wildconc2001 Loc: Chicagoland

Thank you, it's a lot more pleasant now.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I also try to minimize post processing, although there are some times and some types of photography (night sky) that simply require that I do it. So I've learned how, even though I'm still a little bit clumsy when doing some things.

Here's a story to illustrate something about what I think goes on with us as photographers...

My photography club sponsors a monthly contest. Some months are "Open" competitions, some have a defined theme, and about twice a year we have a print competition, again sometimes with a theme and sometimes open. Last night, we got the results of the latest contest, which was specified as being of historic buildings representing our state's history. Our judge's comments were confusing at best and confounding at worst. I was particularly distressed when accused of "oversaturating" my photograph in post processing, leading to excess color in the limestone blocks of the subject building and "unnatural green in the grass and other vegetation." In fact, while I had done some minimal post processing, adjusting saturation was not a step that I had done at all. And my as-shot setup did not include boosting saturation in the original image, even though I do sometimes do that. The truth is that the building is located in an area where petroleum has been extracted and processed for close to 100 years, causing rainwater to absorb various chemicals and alter the coloration of the limestone over the years. Additionally, there had been rain in the area over the previous two days, causing all foliage to be intensely green. This is a very common effect in arid and semi-arid areas, and most photographers that I know look forward to taking advantage of it.

Please do not get my motivation wrong here. I'm not whining about the contest result. The previous month, a photograph that I didn't expect to do anything scored 14 of 15 points and placed just behind the photograph that ended up being awarded "Best of Show." If I whine about this month's result, then I can't accept last month's result.

My point here is to discuss what I call "arrogant ignorance," which is a tendency of some to presume that they know all there is to know about everything there is to know about, including what cameras or lenses another photographer should buy, what that photographer should take pictures of, and how that photographer should handle the images that he takes. I am (usually) a person who, like you, seeks to do minimal post processing. I absolutely respect and admire the work that Linda does. Sometimes my wish to be able to do the same is very strong. But I respect more that she has never tried to "shame" me into doing something beyond what I do. I also absolutely respect and admire the knowledge and skill that Ed lets us have a glimpse of. But I respect even more the fact that he has never "beaten me over the head" with it.

In another discussion, Cat Marley eloquently lamented the loss of recognition and respect for "absolute truth." The sad thing is that it has been replaced by "absolute opinion." And it seems that folks are willing to fight much more viciously for absolute opinion than they are for absolute truth. Perhaps because they are compensating for secretly being less certain in it.

I am appreciating this discussion and thank Ed for opening it up and for gently guiding us in a constructive direction. Civil, intelligent discussions like this would be very strong motivation for sticking around.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I am really glad to hear that and I am glad that you are back.

Mike

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

OMG then he will have to change his reply to me and then I will have to change my reply to the OP...



Mike

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The ability to edit comments for an hour can be a heavy burden for anal retentives such as myself.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Nope, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! 😝

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Understood. Thanks, Jim.

Mike