As we see many photographs, very often the question arises in our mind…is it ‘photoshopped’? For a person who is not really into photography, the question implies ‘has it gone through post-processing’. It need not specifically mean using Adobe’s Photoshop software alone.
The reality is almost every photograph goes through some level of processing. In fact, even from the days of invention, even during film days, it has always gone through some processing or the other. The method and techniques to process was complicated then but today, in the digital age it is more accessible for anyone with interest.
Is ‘post-processing’ an evil? IMHO, it is NOT provided honesty is maintained and there is no attempt to fool the intended audience. The below image, as inferred by me, indicates assessment of photography and post-processing.
Though post-processing is not an evil. It is best kept to a minimum for many reasons, including:
- More effort will go into learning photography and upgrading one’s skill
- Better results by applying visualization and composition
- Opens up lot more imagination
- Less time in front of PC but more on the real location
The above is more applicable for Nature, Landscape and Wildlife photography. However, for other forms of photography like portraits and fashion the dependency on post-processing is very high
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