YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU'RE RIGHT! I think my primary reason for posting this article though is that too many people use photoshop as a crutch rather than a learning tool or a SAVING tool. Believe me when I say, I've had those "Oh No" moments when I look at an image that I thought was perfect when I was shooting it, but it's just not right and the client NEEDS that image tomorrow. Photoshop has saved me a lot.

When I was interviewed for "Inside Digital Photo" last year, right before the first break I was starting to say, "Photoshop has taught me a lot." Unfortunately, I was cut off by the music, but what I was trying to say was that Photoshop has taught me a lot about what I need to do and what I should do IN CAMERA. It has taught me how to get to an end result and find was to do those "special effects" that everyone does in photoshop, in the camera.

Your point is well taken and I agree! Trust me, we use Photoshop here a lot at the studio and although I don't do my own retouching these days (except when I feel like playing), I HAVE done a lot in my time and still sit in front of the computer a to try new things and teach my retouchers new things.

Photoshop is a great tool — but it's not a crutch and shouldn't be used as one.

In my experience, correcting my poorly composed and less thoroughly prepared photos in PS, has taught me a great deal about the art of photography.

I've stayed up late to turn ho-hum images into something a client will really be pleased with. ((yes I've had a few ..mostly portraits and a few sports shots) .

When making those adjustments one can't help but learn from it and consequently watch for and reduce the need for them in the future shoots. I therefore believe that post processing can lead the photographer to improvements he or she would never achieve if relying on someone else to do the post processing, or worse yet ..not doing any at all.

Regards,

jj

I am a photo retoucher and if I had a dime for every time someone at my job said "oh it's ok we will just fix it in photoshop later", I would be able to retire to a small island.

I feel like the majority of my day is spent correcting poor planning and execution, rather then taking the photos to the next level by delving into the true power of photoshop.

Anyhow, great article… I look forward to more.

Joe

Thank you for your comments. Obviously, I respect you and your work very much. In the days when I was just starting out you were a great help to me.

Your words are perfect! Although, I shot film for years growing up, as I was making the jump to "becoming professional" digital was becoming prevalent. I see it a lot, especially with my generation of photographers – that old school mentality on-set has seemed to disappear.

I guess, I still hold onto it.

Thanks again for your comments.