If no one else is going to say it, I will.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/30/2014 11:26:41 AM · #51

Originally posted by blindjustice:

I like minimal editing. I like the challenge, sure. I like the imperfection, the inability for processing to save a bad composition, the rawness of an awkward exposure that can't be fixed by algorithms and wizardry. Additionally, one excellent thing about minimal editing is the blandness, the glorious lack of glossy thumbnails on that first voting challenge screen. The lack of ludicrously cartoonish colors that don't exist in real life is refreshing.

Some people think that photography is all about exploiting every bell and whistle of your new camera,pushing technique to the limit to dazzle and amaze all viewers with mind blowing gimmicks. Sure, that is fun. But for every glossy bird and wildlife shot, every copy of a glasses filled with liquid shot, every stock photo, you can rest assured that there is someone out there who does it better than you do. I am not saying you have to shoot blurry and lo-fi, but I am saying that it doesn't matter. It is unquestionably better to shoot from the heart and show us your world, not a highly stylized gimmick of a shot.

Its a crude analogy, but perhaps processing can be seen as "make-up" - the best would be to look beautiful, and appreciate beauty without any cosmetics at all. Next best would be to tastefully apply cosmetics, trying to appear natural while enhancing certain aspects, and using to much make-up, well you see where I am going with this...

i think i found my doppleganger.

tanguera

Nikon D750

05/30/2014 11:31:24 AM · #52

Originally posted by blindjustice:

It is unquestionably better to shoot from the heart and show us your world, not a highly stylized gimmick of a shot.

THIS is the only thing that matters. The rest of your statement is just a judgment of how others view/experience/enjoy/want to share "their world". You may not like it, but that's irrelevant.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

05/30/2014 11:38:49 AM · #53

The lack of cropping is still silly, however. Especially with macro. A simple crop would have made things much better -- I couldn't get closer (I already had multiple extension tubes).

Plus -- not everything looks good at 4x6. Lack of cropping is just silly.

tome

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/30/2014 11:46:46 AM · #54

I entered one expert and one minimal, so everything seems normal...

Dudski

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/30/2014 11:53:59 AM · #55

If it were easy, there would be no challenge.

macwilyum

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

05/30/2014 11:57:35 AM · #56

Originally posted by MarkB:

Popcorn time...

scoot over, l have drinks

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/30/2014 11:58:46 AM · #57

Originally posted by Dudski:

If it were easy, there would be no challenge.

the challenge for me is the competition.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

05/30/2014 12:09:20 PM · #58

Originally posted by backdoorhippie:

Thank God that this stretch of minimal editing is over!!

I said the same thing when the so called "expert" challenges passed.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/30/2014 12:12:25 PM · #59

the good thing about three experts in a row is that Christophe an Samantha probably dont have the time to dedicate to all three!

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

05/30/2014 12:23:39 PM · #60

Originally posted by bvy:

Originally posted by pixelpig:

Originally posted by bvy:

Originally posted by chazoe:

Originally posted by pixelpig:

Originally posted by Mike:
and i finally have the urge to enter again.. the SOOC camera crap needs to go.

I agree. Those who say they prefer to get by with minimal editing skills are rationalizing laziness.

What? Sorry but I don't see getting composition, exposure, and focus correct in camera as "lazy". In fact, it makes more sense that saying to one's self "I'll fix it in photoshop" is rationalizing laziness.

Minimal editing is quite the opposite of laziness.

See, that's just it. That's the rationalization part.

It's all a matter of where you want to focus your efforts. I'll delete a picture before I clone out anything distracting or otherwise unwanted. If that makes me lazy, so be it. But my approach is documentary, and I'm the one who has to live with the picture. I've never been a member of the "it's the final result that matters" club. It may be only the final result that matters to you, but what went into it matters just as much to me. And this is all about me.

I'll drink to that. I have no interest in doing documentary photography, but that shouldn't (& probably doesn't) matter to you. Why should it? Each to their own star.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

05/30/2014 12:28:25 PM · #61

Originally posted by LN13:

Originally posted by chazoe:
I'd rather have a minimal editing challenge than an expert.

+483

Add a +1 from me too! :-)

Dudski

Nikon D700

05/30/2014 02:12:03 PM · #62

Originally posted by Mike:

Originally posted by Dudski:
If it were easy, there would be no challenge.

the challenge for me is the competition.

you and I will make for good teammates, attacking different projects for TPL!

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/30/2014 03:09:39 PM · #63

Originally posted by tanguera:

Originally posted by blindjustice:
It is unquestionably better to shoot from the heart and show us your world, not a highly stylized gimmick of a shot.

THIS is the only thing that matters. The rest of your statement is just a judgment of how others view/experience/enjoy/want to share "their world". You may not like it, but that's irrelevant.

At least I've got one sentence going for me.