I have been studying photography for a number of years now, through magazines, books and internet (I can't afford to go to college). I love learning new things, and lately I have been learning about artificial lighting setups, and trying to come up with ways to accomplish these cool setups on a shoe-string budget. A work in progress for sure!
But I would like to take the opportunity today to vent a little bit about Photoshop effects. Make no mistake, I love PS, and use it on every image - this is an absolute requirement since I shoot RAW and must "develop" my photos. I usually add a tweak here and there, sometimes more. I have no problem with tweakings, adjustments, modifications, or even advanced techniques like HDR (another thing on my "to learn" list). I think that overall, PS has had a tremendous positive impact on photography as a whole.
However, there is a downside. (Isn't there always?) Nowadays, if a photographer, by luck or design, gets some fantastic image, the common response is "Must have been photoshopped". What a pity! PS has inadvertently devalued traditional photography!
Allow me to enter into evidence this shot.
Such colourful and unusually formed clouds are indeed rare. I was very lucky to capture this shot, and yet, I hardly ever show it or use it, and for one simple reason. Although it is virtually straight out of the camera, it is such an unlikely image that everybody instantly thinks of Photoshop!
I am not going to stop using PS, and I admire photographers who have really mastered this ultra-complex program. I think it is a great boon, especially to beginners like me, and we have gained much because of it. I'm just saying, photography has lost something because of it, too.
Okay, that's my rant. Thanks for listening.