In a prior blog post, I discussed my software editing journey. More recently photo post-processing has been in the headlines, with Princess Kate’s recent pictures being the center of attention in the British News. The controversy is over post processing and what are the acceptable standards for photos used in journalism.
In addition, I’ve had several students discuss photography classes they have taken and their teachers saying, “If you don’t get it right in the camera, you can always post-process.”
Here are my thoughts on the subject:
Simply, Princess Kate is not a journalist and should not be expected to follow journalistic standards.
The standards for journalism in the United States are, any alterations are unacceptable. “While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images’ content and context.”…“Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.”
So, what applies to Princess Kate and the rest of us, Non-journalists?
As photographers/artists, we are free to create as we see fit. Simply, that means we can post-process to our heart’s content. Princess Kate’s photos should have not been judged so harshly. Should there be limits to the amount of post-processing? Yes, I believe we should limit our post-processing to white balance, exposure, straightening, removing dust spots or artifacts and adjustments to improve the dynamic range of a photo. I’m a believer in Capturing Time and Place. My images represent what I saw with my eyes.
As I discussed in my interview last year with Bold Journey:
“Mastering [photography] means understanding how to correct a photo taken to make it better by adjusting your camera’s controls. I emphasize in my classes that getting the photo correct in the camera and not relying on post-processing to fix mistakes…A camera’s ability, i.e. dynamic range, is what determines how much detail one can capture within an image. It is measured in f/stops. The wider the range in stops, the greater the range… Most current cameras from the leading brands have exceptional dynamic range averaging anywhere between 12 and 15 stops. The human eye is capable of 18 to 20 stops. So, no matter what camera you use, its ability to capture highlight and shadow details is not as good as our eyes…
With dynamic range in mind, let me say a little more about the post-processing of photographs. There are times when the lighting conditions or other restrictions such as no flash or tripods allowed where you can’t achieve the best possible photo in the camera. What if you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime trip? Post-processing may be the only solution.
The photo below (left) was taken at Mount St. Michel in Normandy, France.
No flash or tripods were allowed. The photo below (right) is post-processed and is the only way I could have conveyed what my eyes saw as I walked past the window. (BTW, the camera used had a range of 10-11 stops.)”
So what about AI? AI is a powerful tool that can help photographers make corrections to their photos. One of these features is an AI driven selection tool that provides a much easier way to make adjustments to specific areas of a photo or across many photos. I believe strongly that Al should not be used as a substitute for poor camera technique. With few exceptions, such as the example above, my post-processing usually takes less than 1-3 minutes.
Here is what Annie Leibovitz and others think about AI and post-processing.
Annie Leibovitz Says She’s Not Worried About AI. I agree!
What are the your limits on photo editing?
How much image editing is acceptable?
This summer, I will begin to offer a post-processing add on lesson for students who have taken my Introduction to Digital Photography. Please contact me if you are interested.