is there any point ? also where do you start?

[crackthatoff]

Is there any point trying to take some gob smacking photos when every thing I see seems to have been messed around with digitally, the end result gives no comparison to the photoshopped ones that look awesome!
also where does one begin to use photoshop?

[VxDuncan]

Like any job in the world, to get the best result you have to have the best result at each stage. IMO to get the best image, the subject matter has to be spot on, exposure, focus, composition spot on, then it has to be processed well.

We've all had images that would have been great but one of the above was wrong and was a pain to try and sort in PS, but the best images will always be the ones you load into PS and think to yourself "oh, there's nothing to do".

[fastfreddy]

Since the very first photograph was taken, there has been manipulation of the image. Either during the exposure stage, the printing stage, or in recent years, after the final image has been ingested into a PC/MAC.

Manipulation of the original image is all part of the creative process, as is using tools like Photoshop. You don't have to use Photoshop to create great images. AFAIK Henri Cartier-Bresson never used PS in his life.

If you think you need to in order to do something you can't do in other ways, then learn how to use it, but don't make the mistake of thinking it is essential.

As has been said, the best images shouldn't look like they've been Photoshopped, even if they have been.

HTH!

Edited by fastfreddy on Friday 11th April 22:34

[DanH]

The shots that look awesome out of photoshop generally look awesome before they went in too! Can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Good photoshop usage is not exactly easy either and I don't see why that shouldn't be praised as a skill too...

[Simpo Two]

DanH said:

Can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

You need:

[DanH]

Simpo Two said:

DanH said:

Can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

You need:

Ah that's where I've been going wrong. I certainly have a great supply of the raw materials!