Wow our first long thread/debate/heated discussion - but well done to you all for keeping it amicable

It really really is horses for courses and just like many things in life, people will be set in one way or another (although I'd like to think most of us here were openminded).

I have no beef with anyone - I genuinely like what people do, no matter how they got to it - as I said before, I have respect for those that just use a basic camera and get a great image, and those who use other tools like photoshop or lightroom. Those who use different kinds of lenses, shutter speeds, depth of field etc which all really can end up producing images that are 'not' what the naked eye would see.

For example the pic that was posted in this thread by Dawn:



It's a great image - but a purist could say well it's not a replication of what the eye would see, because the eye would never blur what's behind the dog like that.

I'm just saying this to highlight the point that modern cameras already do a lot to change the 'natural' image to make it look more appealing... so additional tools just take it a step further.

Personally I aim to take a 'hassle-free' pic that is a picture where I don't need to spend time on in PS, apart from the minimal.

Anyway, well done all for a very interesting debtate

Shall I lock this thread now?

I think it has been taken as far as necessary with everyone putting their own point of view.

Bazza

I personally think we should have another debate as to whether or not Azz should lock this one down!

...only joking

I think we could perhaps start a 'have your say section' like we have on Dogsey - basically where people just put down their thoughts on a topic, just one post per person. That way it's not a debate but a really good way for people to see what others think on the subject - it makes an excellent read for those who are undecided about things.

Only thing is I can't think of many topics about photography that would warrant it

How many other topics can be hotly debated in the photography world?

Easy Azz

Canon v Nikon

Bazza

Very interesting debate indeed . I've often wondered when posting some of my images on here if people think they have been manipulated/ps'd in some way when, in fact, they have only been processed in the digital darkroom (Canon digital photo professional) and resized and converted to jpg in ps elements. I shoot in Canon RAW mode all the time and so I can adjust the exposure (not very often), white balance, sharpening, noise reduction etc, in dpp. I often have to crop my images as well (normally moving subjects) because I'm using a prime (fixed focal length) lens, and can’t get close enough, and that is ok, but when it comes to taking images of static subjects (landscapes etc) and I have to crop, then I know I have not put much thought into the image I'm trying to capture, or the rule of thirds has gone out the window.

So, for me personally, I'd rather take a picture and not have to edit it at all, except for converting to jpg and resizing and sharpen for web. I find it very pleasing when I load a Canon RAW image into dpp and know right away that no cropping or adjusting of exposure is required, and I have a few like this saves time as well

I must also add that if there is dirt/dust on the lens/sensor and it shows up on my pics, then I will use the clone tool to get rid of it.

Back to my first point about some of my images looking odd, unnatural, ps'd. Here is a screen capture of a RAW file loaded into dpp straight out the camera, and the second one adjusted in dpp (white balance, contrast, noise reduction and sharpening)



I have noticed with some of my images (especially using my 70-200mm f4.0 L at certain apertures) that sometimes the subject captured can look out of place, ie as if its been cut out and stuck on to another image background, if you see what I mean


So, my point is, although an image may look ps'd it may just be an optical illusion

AZZ! AZZ!
You'd better hurry up and get this thing locked, before it all kicks off again!

Hey come on, its finished already??!! Locking a thread on YoP? OK, Im pleased we had our discussion and I look forward to seeing EVERYONES pictures, whatever they may be.
Dawn.

But you're quite wrong Azz.

The eye would see that, only our brains are too clever and kind of refocus it as best as possible to compensate so we get a full picture.

Try it, focus on something quite close, and if you can look behind with taking eyes off close item. The background IS blurred.