I've been wondering this since I've modified most if not all my images. Some where slight modifications, others where big obvious changes. So that made me wonder; regarding 365project, when is image editing too much?
I'm new to photography, and I'm using my 365 project to improve my skills in all areas of the art; I believe this includes software skills. Consequently, I use a photo editor in varying degrees on all of my shots, and feel no qualms -- I'm learning.
but i tend not to edit very much at all, other than maybe a crop and fixing any serious on camera blunders. Some photographers go all out and will replace the entire sky in their photo or merge a few pics together. I think that kind of thing has its place, but for me the 365 Project isn't always about that. It's more about "real life".
I agree, edit if you like. I also occasionally might crop the photo, or adjust the levels in Photoshop, but also prefer the pics to remain as is for 365.
I think it all depends on your aim in doing the project, honestly. The beauty in this (In my opinion anyway), is that everyone kind of has their own objective, even though we're united in working on this together- if that makes sense.
Personally, I haven't done any editing on these yet... which isn't to say I won't at any point. Right now I'm just enjoying the challenge of making myself shoot something every day, trying to get more variety in my photography, and for that purpose the raw images are working out just fine.
I try to do straight out of camera for every picture. If i do take it into PS, it is only for resizing. For me, p365 is about learning the limits of myself and of my camera. I try to get the best picture I can with the camera I have on hand. I know that photoshop can make even the dullest pictures look amazing, but I am trying to work at getting the "photoshop look" with my own talent.
Well.....For me....I shoot raw so I need to process them...and my particular camera, the raw images, well they are always flat....so I always tweak all of that...sometimes I also lay a texture on....and sometimes I merge...If its the only way to get the image I want....Like for the picture of my cat in front of my tv http://365project.org/caroldeanda/365/2010-01-22
Thats what it looked like to me in person...but either the cat would be right and the tv would be blown out of the tv was right and the cat wasn't....
So it makes sense to merge.....
I agree with the person who said its whatever you want it to be....I just think everyday a picture....how can i push myself...what can I do....now im just rambling
I think the one of the greatest things about doing this project is that it's very personal. If editing is part of how you present your images, I say that's great. Few people have the skill and equipment necessary to get a "perfect" photo out of their camera. To me, a perfect photo is anything that portrays what you were seeing and/or feeling when you took the shot. Some people are using point-and-shoots and camera phones, so it's neigh impossible to get the image to look like what you actually saw with your eye. To me, photography is like painting - you're trying to present an image the way you want it seen. Editing can be an awesome way to help that happen.
I think the game changed when it went digital. Editing is now just an extra part of the process. I edit all my photos to some extent. They may just mean a simple crop and small tweak of levels but can mean a lot more.
For me its about the image at the end. I'm not too concerned if its been heavily edited if its a cool photo/pic. (when does it stop being a photo with editing??)
That said if you can nail it with only the camera without editing then i'm even more impressed (i'm not skillful enough yet for that). :o)
Since each of us has our own purpose/vision for our project, who can judge how much is too much? Personally, I am using 365 to create a chronicle of my daily life, and as a form of communication. Therefore, I'm not doing much composing or editing, mostly cropping. But, I LOVE seeing what others are playing around with - macros, tilt shift, etc. As time passes, I may move into more composed, thought out shots, but that will just be a reflection of my growth.
For me this project is about experimenting with being creative. Having to think of a subject to photograph every day is challenging. Editing is part and parcel of the process and for me is a creative bonus. So long as people are taking pics everyday who cares if its edited its the creative result that counts.
for me, it's when i couldn't have seen it with my own eye. If it's an overall change to the photo (turning it to black/white, changing the contrast), i'm more ok with it than if a light source direction is changed, if objects are removed or if the colors are so saturated that it couldn't possible have existed in the first place (this one holds true mostly for landscapes) I RARELY change anything more than the very basics (in iphoto) because i figure if it needs some great amount of photoshopping, it probably wasn't a good photo that i took, so i just plain old need to be a better photographer. If something is highly altered, it's photographic art, not photography. imho, anyhoo.
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Personally I don't think there is too much editing, but how much you edit puts you into a different category.
As long as its all done tastefully I say edit away.
but i tend not to edit very much at all, other than maybe a crop and fixing any serious on camera blunders. Some photographers go all out and will replace the entire sky in their photo or merge a few pics together. I think that kind of thing has its place, but for me the 365 Project isn't always about that. It's more about "real life".
Personally, I haven't done any editing on these yet... which isn't to say I won't at any point. Right now I'm just enjoying the challenge of making myself shoot something every day, trying to get more variety in my photography, and for that purpose the raw images are working out just fine.
Thats what it looked like to me in person...but either the cat would be right and the tv would be blown out of the tv was right and the cat wasn't....
So it makes sense to merge.....
I agree with the person who said its whatever you want it to be....I just think everyday a picture....how can i push myself...what can I do....now im just rambling
For me its about the image at the end. I'm not too concerned if its been heavily edited if its a cool photo/pic. (when does it stop being a photo with editing??)
That said if you can nail it with only the camera without editing then i'm even more impressed (i'm not skillful enough yet for that). :o)