Post Processing. Why is there an issue with this?

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Dave_W

The Dude
It's been about a month since I read anything on post processing photos so I thought I'd bring the topic back up. In the past such threads would quickly break down and the thread would get locked up. But truth be told, I can't understand why. Is there something going on that I'm not aware of? Maybe some kind of unwritten rule that makes people who PP their photos feel defensive? Or am I completely off base on these thoughts?

From my perspective, any debate over PP has me thoroughly perplexed. Is there a belief that photography is based on truth? Because photography is anything but truth and is in fact an illusion. By framing a photography and eliminating items within the frame while bringing in others automatically renders the image void of being a factual representation. Once you realize that photography is not truth but instead is art, anything after that, such as PP or re-cropping the image, is just a continuation of the original misrepresentation.

Does this make sense or am I missing something. And why do conversations like this tend toward polarization? Can someone shed some light on this for me?
 

Nikon Photographer

Senior Member
I really can't see a problem with PP on photo's, it's been going on for years, anyone who has worked in a darkroom knows that you don't just pop a negative into an enlarger and print the photo off with out dodging/burning or using filters to get the photo correct, there's nothing new in that, only in digital we now use Photoshop and not a darkroom.
 

ohkphoto

Snow White
Does this make sense or am I missing something. And why do conversations like this tend toward polarization? Can someone shed some light on this for me?

I've been on the forum for 2 years and this issue comes up, usually with a new member who feels it needs to be rehashed either because they just enjoy arguing or they really don't understand digital photography. The reason that some of the threads get shut down is because the "conversation" has usually outlived its usefulness, and most members by then are sick and tired of seeing the same old stuff.

There really is not much worth discussing when it comes to post processing. Either the photographers post process or the camera does it. That's it. Where the discussion goes amuck is when somebody begins to brag about how they consider themselves "purists" because the photos they post come "straight out of the camera". So many of us then try to "educate" them, sometimes we're successful and sometimes not. But I think when discussions degenerate to the point that nothing good is going to come out of it, like "no matter what you say, I'm right and you're wrong", we mods just close the thread when they're one step away from a flame war.

Nikon Photographer (above) said it the best. I think before anybody thinks they want to take a stance on post processing, they need to really learn about how the camera "takes" the photo before they talk about the "purity of photography."

When it's brought up, my response is simply: "Post processing is part of digital photography. Either you do it or your camera does. I still believe that I can do it better than my camera."
 
Post Processing / No Post Processing
Nikon / Canon
University of Alabama / Auburn
Guns / No Guns
there are as many choices as there are people.

The only opinion that matters is yours. Have fun and just enjoy life.
 

AC016

Senior Member
Chicken or beef? Now that is a serious dilema! ANd when the fish comes into the mix, it just makes it all that harder to decide. What you do with your pictures behind closed doors is your business! Now, BBQ chicken sounds good, but i have a bit of a craving for beef tonight, hmmmmmmmm
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Sure, it sounds funny now while we're all talking about it but just a few weeks ago there was several heated discussions on this topic and I've been dying of curiosity as to why such a topic would inflame anyone's sensitivities. It would be the same as saying a water color painting is crap because he/she didn't use any green color. Art is art but yet this subject, for reasons I can't quite wrap my head around, can really get people going.

But it's good to see that everyone is on a like-mind. It would be nice, however, to hear from someone who has strong feelings in the other direction.
 

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
Sure, it sounds funny now while we're all talking about it but just a few weeks ago there was several heated discussions on this topic and I've been dying of curiosity as to why such a topic would inflame anyone's sensitivities. It would be the same as saying a water color painting is crap because he/she didn't use any green color. Art is art but yet this subject, for reasons I can't quite wrap my head around, can really get people going.

But it's good to see that everyone is on a like-mind. It would be nice, however, to hear from someone who has strong feelings in the other direction.

Okay.

Toilet paper should ALWAYS be from the top!!!!

Anyone that says otherwise is a dirty lying toilet cheater!!!

Is THIS what you were shooting at?? (Notice the spelling of "SHOOTING") :)
 

AC016

Senior Member
Sure, it sounds funny now while we're all talking about it but just a few weeks ago there was several heated discussions on this topic and I've been dying of curiosity as to why such a topic would inflame anyone's sensitivities. It would be the same as saying a water color painting is crap because he/she didn't use any green color. Art is art but yet this subject, for reasons I can't quite wrap my head around, can really get people going.

But it's good to see that everyone is on a like-mind. It would be nice, however, to hear from someone who has strong feelings in the other direction.

Mojo, you answered your own question. This subject has been beaten to death. There is no right or wrong answer. Each to their own and eveyone has their opinion. Let's jsut leave it at that :)
 

Lscha

Senior Member
This settles it. (always loved this one)
What-your-toilet-paper-says-about-you.jpg
 

RickSawThat

Senior Member
The fork should always be on the left side of the plate. And I say this while I am post processing some images right now :)
 
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