Image Straight Out Of Camera Is Too Real For Me

The latest version of Photoshop added a little drama to the photography world. There is a built in feature specifically for sky replacement. This makes it very easy to change a boring looking blue sky into a dramatic stormy sky. Sky replacement has been around for a long time including the film era, but it took some effort to do it. Photoshop now makes it very easy. There are other recents tools that make it very easy as well.

I am not against sky replacement or any extensive modifications in post-processing. However, some people would be disappointed if they learned an image they enjoyed had the sky replaced.

I address this in my photography by stating in the description any modifications that would go beyond what a typical person would expect. This includes social media posts. But, I have to balance it with what is common practice in landscape photography. Otherwise, every description would be full of notes. Also, Instagram filters and editing features built into cell phone cameras has educated the public about photo editing, so something shocking a few years ago is commonly expected now.

To add more clarity, I have created an Artistic Standards statement. This statement applies only to my fine art photography and not for advertising collateral.

ARTISTIC STANDARDS

I treat my photography as an artistic interpretation of the landscape. The image straight out of camera is too real for me. So, my photography is edited. Editing is a common practice in photography to meet the artistic vision that the artist envisioned when taking the photo. This could include manipulating the scene before taking the photograph. However, each artist takes editing to various extremes. My overall philosophy is that all techniques are valid and I am only limited to my technical ability to do it.

However, the viewer may have expectations about a photo, so this page discusses how my images are edited.

Adjusting the color, contrast and other things that affect the brightness and clarity of the colors should be expected on every photograph. The adjustments may be applied to parts of the photograph and overall. The most obvious example would be converting a color photograph to black and white. Note that camera phones make these adjustments automatically according to an algorithm. Nothing is a simple recording of the exact scene.

Items that distract from the story of the image may be removed and should be expected on every photograph. This can include rocks, people and trees.

Removing items from the scene before the shot may also be done as long as it does not damage the environment. The most common example would be to move aside a branch or tall grass that is obstructing the camera.

Adding elements to the scene may also be done. Each photograph where something is added before or after the shot was taken will mention this in the description so you know what you are looking at, unless it is very clearly obvious (like a selfie).

As stated earlier, my photography is an artistic interpretation. I do want it to have a strong basis in reality, but the end result is not to document the scene. My goal is to create a photograph that is enjoyable and you would be proud to show on your walls.