Many of us have gotten that question when sharing an image online or with friends. Its hidden meaning frequently is something like, “Did you really climb to the top of the mountain in the pouring rain;” “Was the beach truly that shade of pink;” or “Did that gorgeous image really come from you?”
The digital revolution gave rise to image editing tools capable of deceiving as well as achieving an artistic vision. News reports of scandals about altered images educated the public on the power of tools such as Photoshop to alter our visual documentation and art, and the public learned to pose the question, “Did you Photoshop it,” as a challenge to artistic integrity. Even fellow photographers joined in and began indirectly shaming their peers by preemptively proclaiming, “I never do more than slightly tweak the exposure, contrast, and color.” Their not-so-hidden message is the use of Photoshop makes the photographer suspect and their work inferior.
So when faced with that question, my answer is a resounding, shameless, “Yes!” I use a variety of applications to remove wires and annoying obstacles that distract from my intent, to direct the viewer’s eye to my message, and to add emotion and style to my images. The use of Photoshop or any other application is not the source of all photographic evil. Would you tell a painter a particular paintbrush is forbidden? Would you think less of a sculptor who used a certain chisel? Ansel Adams once said, “Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.” This was true in the age of chemical darkrooms and remains true in the age of digital. Photoshop and its kin are wonderfully powerful tools to achieve the artist’s vision.
With the exception of news or documentary photographers, all photographers are artists creating an impression of what they saw. Does that landscape image straight from your camera look or feel exactly like the beauty that drew you to it? Doubtful. Your post-processing techniques are part of rendering your art in your own unique style. If that takes dodging, burning, removing, tinting, saturating, toning, or a multitude of other adjustments, I say go forth and raise your visual voice.
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