Manipulating images

Crystal Clear · #1 (**permalink**) 25-10-2007, 08:40

Hi guys

Whats your thoughts on manipulating your pictures in photo shop ?

Do you just do the basics like cloning out dust bunnies or go all out for that perfect shot ?

Do you think if someone does too much it is no longer a photograph ?

I have my own thoughts on this but would like to see what others think.

**Paul** · #2 (**permalink**) 25-10-2007, 09:14

This is a great topic.

For me it depends on what I'm trying to achieve with a particular image and what it's for.

I use a combination of lightroom and PhotoShop as part of my digital workflow. Lightroom is an awesome tool to view the images taken on a shoot. I can make slight adjustments to cropping and exposure if I didn't get it quite right when taking the shot.

Afterwards, I select the photos I really like and take them into PhotoShop to make any needed colour correction and fine curve adjustments to maybe bring out the saturation in colours etc.

I have sometimes used PhotoShop to remove a small object that I couldn't do anything about at the time I took the image and with it being removed made a better picture in terms of nothing else in the image to cause a distraction from the actual subject.

When taking portraits especially when the subject wants the high fashion look that is so popular these days, then I'll take time to soften the skin, remove unwanted skin blemishes, bring out the eyes and whiten the teeth (not as white as Simon Cowell's though

)

The heavier side of manipulation used in movie posters, DVD covers etc. is an art in it's own right. I would love to have these skills to enable me to use and understand PhotoShop a lot more than I do now but for the moment it's simple adjustments to make the image just stand out that little bit more.

newmang · #3 (**permalink**) 25-10-2007, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

This is a great topic.

For me it depends on what I'm trying to achieve with a particular image and what it's for.

I use a combination of lightroom and PhotoShop as part of my digital workflow. Lightroom is an awesome tool to view the images taken on a shoot. I can make slight adjustments to cropping and exposure if I didn't get it quite right when taking the shot.

Afterwards, I select the photos I really like and take them into PhotoShop to make any needed colour correction and fine curve adjustments to maybe bring out the saturation in colours etc.

I have sometimes used PhotoShop to remove a small object that I couldn't do anything about at the time I took the image and with it being removed made a better picture in terms of nothing else in the image to cause a distraction from the actual subject.

When taking portraits especially when the subject wants the high fashion look that is so popular these days, then I'll take time to soften the skin, remove unwanted skin blemishes, bring out the eyes and whiten the teeth (not as white as Simon Cowell's though

)

The heavier side of manipulation used in movie posters, DVD covers etc. is an art in it's own right. I would love to have these skills to enable me to use and understand PhotoShop a lot more than I do now but for the moment it's simple adjustments to make the image just stand out that little bit more.

Have you been reading my mind again Paul??

I agree - I most envy a great shot that came straight from the camera - I use these tools sometimes, if I've not got the best out of the camera but love the composure - More so if I am doing portraits for other people and feel I want to give them the best i can...

Gar

mac · #4 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 09:34

I use CS2 to process almost all of my images, I find that experimenting with different crops and adjusting exposure etc gives me more to think about the next time I have the camera in my hand. For example, I used to crop a lot of my images to get a different composition, which led to my composition in camera improving.

Of course, the software also helps me out when I have been careless and it can save an otherwise ruined shot from the recycle bin, but if there is not a good enough image there to begin with, no amount of PS trickery is going to save it.

Trevor · #5 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 11:13

I also use CS2 and shoot in Raw and then convert in photoshop you seem to get a warmer pic and more vivid colors.

Trevor

bugzy · #6 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 18:52

i use ps and find that it is an art in itself, I have found i enjoy my photography more and for those adjustments you do in ps or any other software out there it like the filters and exposure timings we would use in a dark room or the cokin filter sets,,,,I still use mine with my camera,,,, I would love my pics to be classed as art but i think photography has moved on and there is now more we can do with our pics.
Bugzy

Bob! · #7 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 20:11

I rarely do anything to my photo's beyond making nasty ones into monochrome. I did find a wonderful tutorial once that let me produce this from one of my shots:-

Sadly I don't remember where I got the tutorial from

**Ogofmole** · #8 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 21:01

I used photoshop CS2 to process all of my images, this is because I have turned all of the "in camera" adjustments off including sharpening. This is so that I can adjust only the the parts of the image that need it, as sometimes there is noting worse than a nice soft background that has been sharpened, where really only the subject in the foreground needs to be sharp. And I will sometimes clone out a bit of rubbish or something that I did not see when taking the photo. But I do not agree with making a totally new picture that is not a true represention of what you see through the viewfinder.

aztec_sea · #9 (**permalink**) 01-11-2007, 00:04

i can do anything from small edits on my pics to huge layered work, my partner taught me alot of what i know and my mum too with photography in turn i try to help him...
I love to help people learn... need a hand? give me a shout ill see what i can do...

i tend to use CS3 and did use daz studio until recently

it turned my computer off whilst rendering

ooh well

Chrissy

Spooks · #10 (**permalink**) 01-11-2007, 16:18

For photography purposes, I only use Photoshop to remove blemishes. However, I do quite a bit of photo restoration, and do enjoy getting me hands mucky by manipulating various images into one: here's one I prepared earlier......

This is only a light manipulation. The trees are in North Yorkshire, the horsemen in Brugge...