post processing

[noobclicker]

hello
i have a question
i have a learning disability as well as adhd

so i have a really tough time learning things on a computer
so all these programs for post processing just confuse me and leave me fustrated
so my question is
if i pay some one to do my post processing
and i just talking small changes in tone white balance and such
is it still MY work or am i cheating

[Marko]

I'd say it depends who you ask. Although post processing these days can radically change an image, the 'meat' of the image is normally in the capture.

I can say that many famous film photographers had other people print their work.

[noobclicker]

yes that was what i was thinking
i just get so frustrated trying to to do the pp that it stops being fun

[Marko]

have you taken a course? or are you trying to learn it all yourself? When the material is structured well, it makes learning much easier and more fun.

A course is HIGHLY recommended and I mean an online course where you watch videos at your own speed, and take notes. The free stuff on the Net 'can' be good but it doesn't always start from the very beginning....and some of it is crap.

[noobclicker]

i have tried courses
tried a tutor
tried on my own
with my adhd
i just cannot concentrate
and i am only talking about having some one do simple type pp
white balance exposure and such
nothing too out there

[Marko]

Sorry to persist (don't know how bad the adhd is, but doing these basic corrections is not that much harder than figuring out how to post on a bulletin board for the first time). It's obvious that you've figured out how to do that. I don't know if you've used microsoft word, but it's not harder than that either....

Have you tried courses at either Lynda.com or KelbyTraining.com | The Leading Provider of Education for Photography and Creative Professionals Worldwide
The cost about 25.00 a month to watch unlimited videos of extremely high quality.
The stuff is broken down into short 'chapters' of anywhere from 5-10 minutes. I don't know if your adhd allows you to concentrate for 10 min, but if it does - I'd say 25 dollars is a cheap test.

If this is still too difficult for you, then I personally think that "No", in your case it is not cheating.

Hope that helps.

[AcadieLibre]

Some photographers use outside help for image post processing and it is always better if you can do it yourself I think if the post processing is minimal is remains your image and minimal is very subjective. If you are comfortable with it go for it, it is only your opinion in the end that matters and if you are good with it.

[JAS_Photo]

*Pssst* Joe Mcnally's assistant does most of his basic pp for him. Ok, so Joe's images are just about perfect out of the camera and post is very basic on his images. Just saying.

[AntZ]

*Pssst* Joe Mcnally's assistant does most of his basic pp for him. Ok, so Joe's images are just about perfect out of the camera and post is very basic on his images. Just saying.

I have heard there are quite a few Pros that use others to do PP. I also remember reading an article about "PP Artists" who do PP for others.

Do answer the original question, I consider the photographer the main artist.

If using someone else to do PP is cheating, am I cheating when I use a preset?

[Andrew]

To be really, seriously good at either photography or full-blown Photoshop is a career unto itself. They are two different skill sets that require their own type of commitment. Most photographers dabble in the full blown CS and only scrape the surface of what can be done with their images. Others get right into the programming and turn their average photos into spectacular shots. The majority ride somewhere in the middle of the pack and it's pretty much a personal choice on what you like to play with and how far you go with each. Take it as far as you want and are having fun with it. If the targets for your photos still fall short find yourself someone who likes the programming side. Graphics Art students or recent graduates are a good place to start.

There is nothing wrong with having someone else manipulate your photos. Just don't take credit for it. Very few people ever processed their own film.