One of the most frequently asked questions I get is – do I edit (or more commonly – do I Photoshop) my photos? And often – it’s asked in a tone of voice that indicates that they think there’s something wrong or cheating about editing my photos before sharing them with others.
My answer is Yes! For me, as a photographer and an artist, capturing the image in my camera is just part of my process of creating a photograph. My photograph isn’t complete until I have edited it on my computer and created either a version for sharing on the web or a print.
When I get to place I’m considering photographing, I stop and take a look around to see what catches my eye. And only when have I thought about what caught my eye and how do I want to share that with others – do I take my camera out of my pack and start photographing.
As I photograph a scene, I’ll usually try multiple compositions to capture just the image I want. I’m likely to move around a bit to see how that changes my view. Oftentimes, I’ll try photographing from a higher or lower position. Frequently, I’ll change the lens that I’m using. At some point, I know that I’ve captured what I want to share – and then will pack my camera back in my bag and look for my next photo opportunity.
When I get home, I decide which of the images I captured best show what I want to share – and then start editing it. Editing is a vital part of my photo creation process. My camera, as wonderful as it is, only captures the exact scene before it. It doesn’t capture my feelings or what I was thinking about. For me to share those – I need to edit my photo in Lightroom and/or Photoshop – so that I can share what I experienced in the field with you.
With some photos, it only takes a few minutes and few simple tools to create my final photographs. Other photos – it can take a few hours of editing, a few conversations with Bill, and down time in between editing sessions to create a photograph I want to present to the world.
This is the process that works for me to create the photographs I want to create. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the importance of editing in the creation of your photos. Just leave your comments below.
Have you ever felt uplifted by what you see in nature – but you couldn’t bring that feeling home in the photos you took?
Have you ever wondered how some photographers take amazing photographs of every day scenes in nature?
Would you like to spend a weekend at Chincoteague and Assateague in the company of photographers enjoying and photographing the natural beauty all around you?
IF YES, then you’ll love this workshop:
Capturing the Beauty of the Landscape: Chincoteague and Assateague
January 24-26, 2014
A Hands-on Workshop with Award-Winning Photographers Patty Hankins & Bill Lawrence
The workshop includes 3 photo shoots at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateauge National Seashore in Virginia. Classroom sessions will take place at a hotel in Chincoteague, VA.
Register by December 31, 2013 and save $ 50 on your registration fee.
As I talk with people about the workshop – I find that I’m always talking about how using a fully manual film camera really helped my digital photography. And of course – how much fun it is to photograph with the old cameras.
I’ve created a short video for you talking about why I like using my Crown Graphic.
For more information about the workshop – or to register – visit my website. And remember – special early bird pricing ends June 1.
The news from Bill of Rights for All Creative People that Pinterest is stripping metadata from files has caused me close my Pinterest account. I will be adding the Pinterest code to my website and putting a note on my blog asking people not to pin my work due to Pinterests policies.
If you’re in the DC area – I hope you’ll join me and other flower lovers at our DC Flower Safari Meetups. Next one is scheduled for March 17th when we head over to see Early Spring Flowers at Brookside Gardens. Hope to see you there!
