The Myth Behind Post-Processing's Bad Reputation
Jun 07, 2022I'll never forget the email I received once that stated, "Your images are fake. You use Photoshop."
Such a bold statement made me pause for a moment and think a little more about the process of post-processing an image.
If you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I teach that post-processing is an integral part of creating landscape images. I even go as far as stating that post-processing is a necessity for developing certain types of images. For example, the image below is a panorama, and without post-processing in some manner would not have been possible.
ISO 6400, 14mm, f2.5, 15 seconds
So why is it that post-processing can get such a bad reputation?
I can assure you that every one of my images is very real. Yes, every photograph I share has been post-processed, but my photos' locations, conditions, and atmosphere are all experienced.
For me, post-processing is cathartic progress, and no image I take in the camera would ever feel complete without my personal touches. So it'd be fake to me if I didn't fine-tune it after capture.
Indeed, there are those photographers that lightly finalize their images in post and others that infuse composites and after-effects that suit their vision. Neither approach is wrong.
Post-processing an image is not creating a fake picture. In fact, did you know that all photos have been processed in some manner?
Jpeg images are processed in-camera by your chosen (or default) picture control. Perhaps you've not processed the photo, but your camera has. RAW files will also be tweaked upon upload into programs like Lightroom when default profiles are applied, even if you choose to make no edits and simply import, export and share.
Post-processing doesn't need a bad reputation. Instead, I encourage you to learn how to add final touches to your images and see post-processing as the last step in creating your art.
To complement this photography tip, I'll share my favourite post-processing programs next week.
