Is Using Photoshop Cheating in Photography?
GiphyRant by @runrudy
This is the scenario that sometimes happens when I show my photography to family and friends:
Family: “Wow! That is awesome! You took that!? Come on, how did you do that?"
Me: “Well, I used this kind of gear, I planned out my shot and location. I made sure to go at the right time of the day.
Then I took the images back home and post processed them in Photoshop."
Family: “Oh, that’s Photoshop………hmmm…. Ok, that’s cool I guess."
All of a sudden, somehow they think a little bit less of my image now that they learned it was "Photoshopped."
Then the conversation turns into a debate about using or not using Photoshop. It goes from a positive emotion about my image, to me having to explain/borderline defend my art and process.
The conversation is over and it usually ends up with a weird vibe.
Yes, there are times when I can be over sensitive about my work. I am not perfect but it just gets under my skin, when people think using Photoshop is some kind of cheat or shortcut.
Hey, everyone has the right to their own opinion. Maybe I'm just over thinking it and I have the problem.
Is it just me? Do other artist, photographers, writers, chefs, dancers and creative types get frustrated when questioned about their process?
Isn’t art supposed to be limitless? Why should there be rules on how one creates art or expresses themselves?
I am going to try and give you “my” viewpoint on why I use Photoshop and how it is an essential tool for me as a photographer. I'll show you a little bit of my process and how Photoshop is not a shortcut for me in anyway imaginable. Maybe also, dispel some of the myths or negative connotations some people have with Photoshop.
Again these are just my thoughts and opinions. You can ask 100 photographers the same question and probably get 100 different answers. This debate will always remain.
First, a basic understanding about RAW vs. JPEG format needs to be discussed.
All digital cameras can take pictures in the JPEG format. My camera, your camera, iphones etc… When I set my camera to shoot in JPEG. I am basically asking and trusting the built in camera software to decide for me what the end result image is to look like.
Meaning, I want the camera's software to decide for me if the clouds are dark blue or purple. If the sky is pink or red. If the person's skin color is tan or olive etc...
The camera's software does all the work and gives me it's interpretation of what it thinks it sees. Then throws away all the other captured information and compresses the image for storage into a smaller JPEG file.
At this point, the JPEG image is pretty much finished and “photoshopped” by the internal camera’s software. It did all the work for me. If I try to bring this JPEG file into Photoshop for further editing, the image will degrade because it has already been "cooked" by the internal software and compressed by throwing away all the other useful data.
My point is that if you shoot with a digital camera in JPEG format, your camera’s software “photoshops” your image for you.
Now, when someone says they shoot in RAW.
Not that you sick bastards!
When a photographer says that they shoot in RAW. It just means they are using the RAW image data format.
A RAW image file is basically just a large data file. Your telling the camera to capture all the information it's sensor can see in one file and to save all of it.
The camera does very little to zero processing of the image on file. A good analogy for a RAW file is like dough before the cookies are baked.
RAW image file colors are rather mute and not finished at all. It is a totally unprocessed and uncompressed data file. Since it is uncompressed and holds lots of data, the file is much larger and harder to handle and store.
I take this RAW file/cookie dough into Photoshop and I decide on what the final image will look like. I clean up the image, pull out all the colors, I make the shadows lighter or darker etc... I am in full control not the internal camera software.
Each image that goes through this process takes me about 1-3 hours to finish in post processing. This does not include the planning, driving out to the location, setup and capturing the photo.
There are no shortcuts. Watch this video. It is a full post edit that I did for a friend’s daughter. She needed a new headshot for her acting portfolio. She is a naturally pretty girl. She didn't need any of this touch up work but this is the OCD detail that I go through for pretty much every image I share online. Especially if I am getting paid or plan on selling a print.
There are some images that have taken me between 3-5+ hours to finish in post.
Here are a few:
I am not the most talented photographer. Yet, I believe that this work ethic and effort is the difference between me presenting a good image vs a great image.
Sometimes I even redo an image because the next day I feel different about a result. This image is a good example. I love this photo and hate it at the same time. I have spent many hours and attempts trying to get this photo to a point where I feel it is right.
Looking at it now, I'm probably going to work on it some more... The changes will probably be considered subtle and nobody will see the difference except for me. That is the great thing about it! Photoshop gives me full control of the final image. I decide when it is done.
My photography is 50% planning, technical settings, and pushing the shutter button. The last 50% is crafting my vision in post processing.
The camera and Photoshop are just my tools. Just like a brush and canvas are to a painter.
The goal is to end up with one frame. One single frame that expresses everything I saw, felt and experienced the day I took the photo.
Not everyone is going to like my work and that I use Photoshop. That is OK and is the wonderful thing about photography and art. It is totally subjective.
In the end, I am proud of the work that I have created. I know that in every image, I gave it my all. Sometimes in a way, it even takes away a piece of me with it. I hope someday a long, long, long time from now, that my daughters and their kids will be just as proud of it remembering me.
On a final note,
A photo called Rhein II sold for $4.3 million dollars in 2011. It was taken by Andreas Gursky. It held the record for the most expensive photo ever sold.
Did you know that Andreas edited this photo in Photoshop?
Yes, he did use Photoshop. He used it to removed parts of the photo that he felt didn’t go with the composition.
If he is considered a cheater for using Photoshop and then selling that image at auction for $4.3 mil?
Well then, f*ck it. Call me a cheater and sign me up.
If you liked this:
Follow / Upvote / ReSteem to support my work.
Thank you in advance,
Rudy
All images © 2017 Rudy Gonzales. All rights reserved.
I agree with everything you're saying. I believe that using Photoshop enhances the creative process of making an image. Art is limitless, and completely subjective. There are no rules.
Yes, it is a wonderful tool. I am still learning new things all the time or forgetting how to do something that I previously did. Thank goodness for youtube tutorials : ) Thanks for the comment. No rules! Yeh!!!
You can let your camera do the processing when shooting jpg, or you can proces it yourself. I used to shoot jpg, thought my camera was shitty and that I needed a new one. When I changed to raw, my camera felt as good as new :P
It's not cheating! If you're able to improve your photos... why wouldn't you?
Not post-processing your photos is cheating because it takes less time! :P
I love post-processing because you can really change the mood of your photos.
Nice post, awesome photos!
Upvoted!
Exactly! One of my buddies gave me a hard time on this topic when he saw a photo of mine. We talked about the exact same things. No matter what I said, he couldn't get out of the mindset that photoshop was cheating. Yet, he uses Instagram and all the filters! I have given up on trying to explain this to others in a conversation. Thanks a lot @maxse.
Funny thing is, that when you tell people you processed a photo the old-school way in a darkroom, they don't mind the corrections you applied so much. There has always been post-processing to get exposure, white balance, contrast, etc. right, except when you shot reversal film (slides).
Some things have become much easier, like editing out parts, but when I need to, I still blame myself for not looking better when I took the shot. Sometimes, its unavoidable and then at least Photoshop lets you get the photo you wanted in stead of being stuck.
For myself, I draw the line at removing many things or adding things. If I feel I need or want to do that, I should take up painting, but that's just my opinion.
Overall, Photoshop replaces the processes in the darkroom. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe you should do what I do: don't ever talk about that part of your process, as many people associate Photoshop with unlimited editing without the need for a good shot to begin with 8-).
Thanks@ocrdu. You are exactly right. One time I tried to use Ansel Adams as an example. If he had this technology back in the day, he would be the premiere photoshop expert. The detail and scrutiny he accomplished in the darkroom was magic. I actually wrote this out a few months ago after an altercation with a buddy. After that day, I did exactly what you said. Just say thank you and not talk about the process. This morning I just decided to post it and see if other's felt the same. Good discussion thus far. : )
Oh wait: I Iied. There is one photo I published that is a montage of three separate photos, and something of a Photoshop lie: the top one in this post about hornets. All three shots were hand held, so there is a lot of perspective correction on the individual hornets going on as well, using the tree structure as a guide.
@runrudy Yes to this :P
maybe they just don't know how to photoshop - if you teach them they'll probably get addicted to it, too. Sometimes, people just judge out of ignorance. Photoshopped or not if it's a good shot it's a good shot.
In my case, I can't photoshop so most of my pictures are just cropped and raw - but I decide what it should look like - these days, phone cams and cams show similar pics to what you see - imho
Thanks Ivy. Yes, I continue to work on myself. When you put your work out there, you are going to get criticism. I know I have to take the good with the bad. That's how I try to grow and learn as a person. In the end I just have to make sure that I am proud of my work and stay honest with myself. Great feedback, thanks for taking the time. Cheers!
@runrudy - indeed so toughen up and just shake it off
we both know your works scream awesomeness galore ;)
thank you!
@runrudy - not to me :P
lol hahaha
How many gif pic in your blog @rundry ? i think we can make a short movie if we put them together LOL
If Photoshop will give them nice feature like what you just did i think i will prefer edited photo , at the end it not about reality but about what people like
Good wok :)
You are right. If someone likes your photo, that is all you can ask for. I have learned to be happy with just that. Thank you @araki
Great post! Interesting way of thinking. Steem on!
Thank you @fibra59. Glad you liked it and happy to share. Cheers!
This was interesting. I produce digital art. I feel your pain. I can spend many hours working on something. Using physical motion and hand eye coordination to push color around, much like a paint brush. Some think it's not art and all I did was push a button. Good times!
Right! There is so much effort that goes into it behind the scenes. These days with everything being "instantized". Is that a word? You want your process and efforts to be recognized. I've given up on that. I've learned just to say thank you and not talk about process at all. I guess like a chef a restaurant. When they walk the floor they don't talk details with all their patrons. They just smile, say thank you and come back again. Thanks for the taking the time @nonameslefttouse
Nice story with an interesting topic :)
Thank you @bontonstory!
Just keep doing what your doing. I can't think of anyones art that i prefer over yours! I love what you do!
Wow. In this post I talk a lot about process and how sometimes hard work is not recognized enough. What you said, means a lot, especially coming from you. Dave, you are one of the most dedicated and hard working people that I follow on steemit. Your daily posts are something that I appreciate and respect. Cheers to you @daveks. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I think that the modeling industry has given photoshop a bad reputation. When many people hear that a picture has been photoshopped, they think a bad picture has been made into a good one, just like curvy and somewhat good looking models are often made to look stick thin and drop-dead gorgeous. It's an association thing.
I wish I knew how to make the pictures that you make. I would love to somehow be able to add images like that to my own posts.
Every artist works with tools. In today's world of photography, Photoshop is definitely one of those tools.
Hey @boxcarblue. 100% agree. The media, magazines, tmz, fashion etc... do play a big role into how people act and think. Good advice from my wife, taught me that it is not my battle to fight. If you are really interested in using photoshop. The majority of my learning was from youtube. The guy and youtube channel that I follow is called 'phlearn'. He puts out many free tutorial videos. I ended up buying several lesson packages from him because to me, his style and through process is very easy to follow. Thanks for taking the time and the great comment @boxcarblue
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll make a note of it for down the road.
Np!