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Photo

Processing vs Editing


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#1
Nikon Shooter

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I was troubled — recently more than ever — by the confusion 

of many students when it comes to understanding elementary 
notions and that alone perverts the thinking process — which 
will show in their workflow, their understanding of softwares and 
their respective tools, the chronology in the application of given
sequential tasks… all affecting the end goal: the final rendition.

What is, in simple words…

Processing
A process is a series of stages in time where the last stage is the 
product, result or goal. ... It is a course of action, or a procedure, 
to achieve a result, or an end-product.

A term reserved for operations on unalterable, un-editable, data
files, RAWs.

Editing
Editing an image is the process of selecting to convey informa-
tion. May it be compositional elements, tonal values, etc per-
formed on images.

THE SOUP
Yes soup… because I compare all these actions with cooking!

Processing a soup is just a series of steps that will produce an
end plate that is usually seen eaten with a spoon. There is no
recipe to making soup but a way to go so to end up with one.

Editing a soup recipe is to change the ingredients — and or their 
proportion — in the soup… may it be chunky or liquid.

THE KITCHEN… this is where things get messy.
As marketing strategies ( and we are all eager to accept them ) 

software makers will slide in processing tools in editing programs 
and editing tools will be present in converter in order to propose 
similar effects though performed different ways.

THE COOK… yes, that’s you and me!

The mastery shows itself when workflow and artistic intent come
together in a mature way through a tasteful final rendition. Like it
was heard in the days: “It’s all in the print”!



#2
Ron

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When you used the word, 'soup' I immediately thought of developer because that's what we used to call it back in my film developing days.

 

I recently made a 'version' of Pasta é fagoli which had a very specific list of ingredients. Of course, substitutions had to be made for various reasons... usually having to do with the availability of certain ingredients. but also to better fit my own tastes.

 

The latest version of Photoshop comes with some new AI derived tools that go far beyond simple image processing (correcting colors, straightening lines, etc.) and were more along the lines of Hollywood CGI stuff. I guess it's difficult for some people to grasp but, for example, when you change the sky you're no longer simply processing an image. You're editing it and changing whatever reality you captured in the first place.

 

This isn't necessarily wrong. One of my all time favorite photographers, W. Eugene Smith, spent countless hours in his darkroom bending each image to the result he envisioned when he pressed the shutter button.

 

But it is, I think, important to know the difference.

 

--Ron



#3
Nikon Shooter

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That inspires me another X vs Y post, Ron, Thanks! :P


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#4
Ron

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That inspires me another X vs Y post, Ron, Thanks! :P

I have no idea what that means but, you're welcome. :D

 

--Ron



#5
Nikon Shooter

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Photography vs Imagery


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#6
RyanCombs

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Wow! Just awesome and I really like these colorful shots, thanks.

https://fixthephoto....s-snapseed.html