Flying Wolf_NOL
 lvl.4
Flight distance : 345827 ft
United States
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Well, this is a well worn subject and one that, as a photographer, I'm very accustomed to. I understand that there are 'purist' out there who feel that the photo should be left just as it was taken 'in camera'. I used to feel this way too, but now I happen to disagree with this. My theory is this; is the final image pleasing to the eye? Now, you may ask..... who's eye? The answer is; MINE. If I like the final image, that's all that matters. *disclaimer* If you're working for a paying client - then it is their eye that matters, but that's kind of a different story. When creating photos for yourself, you should only try to please yourself. The real question is; if you didn't see the 'before' image and only saw the 'after' image - would you feel the same way OR would you assume that it was captured that way? It's only because the OP showed you what he did that you feel it is 'fake' somehow.
Today we have a digital darkroom. One of the most famous photographers of all time, Ansel Adams, once said (not a true quote, but you'll get the gist); "The image only starts at the time it's made. Only in the dark room is it finished." Something to that effect. He did a LOT of work to his photos (all he could with the limits that the chemical darkroom gave him). The same can be true today. Now, I agree that some take this too far (in my opinion). But photography is art - who gets to choose what is 'too far'? I've posted images on FB and shown 'before' and 'after' and got a lot of the same comments. Then, other times, I only posted 'after' images and only got positive feedback. Sometimes I had completely created the image from several individual images (known as a composite) in Photoshop! LOL most people will accept and 'believe' what you show them as real. Just some food for thought. Sorry to ramble. |
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