Optimize And Fix Colors & Contrast Of Photos

Maybe when I got my new hardware soon and its adjusted included the old pc etc. I will get into that and or a camera next. Photoshop is a standard for so many other programs... Personally I would be interested in the suite including more stuff. InDesign for magazines - another thing. For some people like students there might be some interesting license, or sharing it with companies, etc. Hey Good Input, AM.FX

Well, photography is not seen the way it was before. The way it is seen today , is a different approach towards photography which for me, although it is not my approach, is as valid as any approach. Let say that we are in the Photoshop and alikes era. For the type of adjustments you mentioned, no one needs Photoshop and alikes. This is the kind of discussion I have over and over not only at home, but also with other photographer mates I have. I have Photoshop CS2 installed in my machine, along with PhtoImpact – a great digital darkrrom tool ( although it has more graphics oriented features I do not use ) – Gimp and FSIV. For my work – which is not better or worse than others work – I use The Gimp, FSIV and sometimes PhotoImpact – very very few times – and never Photoshop. Why ? I do not need it.

As told before in other threads, I believe that a good capture is the one you take carefully – light measurement, compostion, etc etc etc – and does not need any further manipulation on the digital darkroom, unless some minor adjustments like contrast, white balance and in some few cases, some curves adjustments. Even so, these adjustments will not save a bad capture. Photography its sometimes a time consuming hobby. Let me tell you that when capturing images, I do not take never only one capture of a subject, but always 3 times, with different light measurements , and sometimes composition by the inch. What I see nowadays, is that some photographers just do not care how the capture is taken, as they know that they can save any capture with further manipulation on the digital darkroom. Let’s say that after being photographers, they are graphic artists as well and in sometimes, they “paint” in the digital darkroom. As said, its an approach as valid as mine.

Once I was commented on a photograph – Arcada – [LINK] - that I reloaded today just for better understanding - where a fellowmate – a good photographer, let me say to you - told me that, it was ok, nice everything and bla bla bla, but he said that the dark side of it was too dark and that the capture was worth further work with Photoshop.

Well I was amazed with that statement and told him that, if the dark side was really dark, was because it was dark indeed in real life and at the moment I captured it, and even so, I was able to capture a bit of detail in the shadow areas, wich for myself it’s very important. And after that I just stayed looking to the capture trying to figure it out, where further manipulation was needed with Photoshop. Until today….

Well, I just ask for you to see the referred capture and let me know what would you do to improve it…with or without Photoshop, as anything is perfect and this capture is not perfect as well.

Well if I may put my two cents worth in here I Strongly believe that a photographer up against a Graphic designer the photographer doesn´t stand a chance. but how Ironic it is because if no photographer there would be very little for the designer to work with because Most do not have the ability to make a creation without a photo. The programs that are out there ( if you got lots of money ) give the Designer A very big Advantage. As not for the photographer. It takes little for a person like me to sit down at my computer and make a few clicks here and a there and WALA. on the other hand even tho the cameras have programs to do most the work I have yet to see a person pick up one and click and WALA. as a photographer needs to know and understand light, movement, shadows, and to me the hardest thing is to train the eye to see what the lens see. So I think a good photographer Would make a SUPER graphic designer for they already know more than most of us designers. :adminpk

I agreed completely with you Rich, graphic designers have an edge over photographers, -I was amazed when I saw for the first time , a landscape made with Terragen, I could not believe my eyes: everything computer generated. But I do not agree with you that a good photographer would make a super graphic designer. Nor vice-versa.Or probably I am wrong

:o This is when it really gets excitingly productive - when advanced specialist´s fields border each other & interact. Neat illustration. Im a playful guy neither a true graphics nor photo thinker. Speaking of PhotoImpact, though, that comes free from my webhoster and is my very next step to tease myself into life... It cooperates with ULead gif animator which turns out to be QUITE helpful and came free from my hoster, too. Animation already works a bit, but as Jamaunzie stated, now I find myself using awful images in medium good animation. So first I will try to work on SETS of manipulated images for better anims. These techniques need to be understood anyway, gimp also looked worthwhile at no price. Its like an escalator or staircase, all this stuff. Inbetween you can even slip on a step but crabble up again if you keep at it.

Your arcadia would allow for a lot of things. If I hadn´t been sent there from this thread, I would not even have thought about it, though (cause its just direct enjoyment as is).

Btw, :what WALA? Terminus technicus? Abbreviation? Or what?

I think Rich wanted to say: Voilá, a french word that means...oh well...you know.

Thanks GreyTata , TAxiFunk and Jamaunzie , I Have A same Idea About This and I never Want To say A Photographer ( specialy Professional Photographer) Need To Use any Graphic software Or Edit Photo and anything else. Photos Must Be Natural , 100% Natural , Cause when we Edit Photo With Some Software Like Photoshop , Impact and ... We Can`t Say It`s Still A photo !

But Some Times We Can Fix Some Little Problem About Lights And Colors Without Any paint Change In Main Photo.

I don`t Khow What`s Your Idea About this But I Use It When I feel My Photo Need This. Maybe Cause I`m Too Amateur In Photography and Maybe I`m In Mistake

No AM, you are not in mistake and yes, I agree with you about the way you think photography: it´s the same way I think. And do not think as yourself being too amateur in photography. Photography, as other art variations, is a way of telling stories, feelings and moods, therefore its very personal. The more keen and careful you are when taking a capture, the more you ´ll enjoy photography. I am not a pro, never will be.

What I want allways to emphasize near young photographers is that, with your senses, a camera and the sense of balance and composition, understanding light and shadow, everyone can make great photography.

Make no mistake, digital photography NEEDS the digital darkroom as analogue photography needs the conventional darkroom. Bear in mind however, that, as the digital darkroom is much more straightforward, easiest to understand, with an infinite level of possibilities and less time consuming than the analogue one, photographers could be tempted to alter their photography in a way, that and like you said and well said, it´s no longer photography.Cheers.